How We Rate Trails
TrailRating looks at the things that actually change how a hike feels, then turns them into plain-language expectations.
What actually makes a hike hard
The point is not to overcomplicate it. It’s to show the things that genuinely change how a trail feels.
Steepness
How hard you'll be breathing.
Distance
How long you're out there.
Altitude
How much it slows you down.
Terrain
Smooth trail, rocky footing, or hands-on scrambling.
So you can decide before you go
Every trail gets a clear effort score and breakdown, so you know if it’s a relaxed walk, a solid workout, or something that might push you.
This isn’t about scaring people. It’s about having a better sense of what a trail asks of you before you’re on it.
Mount Bierstadt - West Slopes Route
This is where the trail stops being casual and starts asking real questions. Main drivers: aggressive grades, high altitude, and significant elevation gain.
You do not need to be a mountain goat, but you should not treat this like a scenic stroll.
Sure footing matters more here than the raw mileage might suggest. Also, the air up there is not exactly generous.