Difficulty levels of hiking tours

Every hiker has their own limits and abilities, making it crucial to choose trails that match your fitness level. Understanding the hiking difficulty scale is key to becoming a more skilled hiker. By utilizing difficulty ratings, you can plan your hikes more effectively, aligning them with your capabilities and physical condition. Prior to advancing your hiking levels, especially if you have any health concerns, consulting with your physician is vital to ensure a safe and healthy progression.

Easy (Typically found in state parks and nature reserves.)
- Elevation Gain: 70 meters or 2,000 feet, ie pretty flat.
- Terrain: Trail with almost no obstacle, surfaces are primarily dirt with some slight unevenness, well beaten, well maintained all year-round.
- Examaple: Typically found in state parks and nature reserves.
- Length: 2 km or 1 mile.
- Best for: Beginner or inexperienced hikers.

Moderate (Cat Tien)
- Elevation Gain: 30 - 50 meters or 800 - 1,000 feet.
- Terrain: Uneven terrain with creek and stream crossings, switchbacks, surface with rocks and ruts, trail maintained.
- Length: 3 to 5 miles.
- Best for: Intermediate to expert hikers.

Challenging (Mong Sen)
- Elevation Gain: 1,000 feet to several thousand feet.
- Terrain: Steep hills with rocky terrain, deeper creek and stream crossings, off-trail hiking.
- Length: 4 to 10 miles.
- Best for: Advanced to expert hikers.

Strenuous (Fansipan)
- Elevation Gain: Significant elevation gain with the possibility of elevation sickness.
- Terrain: Exceptionally challenging with numerous stream crossings, switchbacks, rocky hillsides, and poorly maintained sections. 
- Length: Typically require several nights spent camping along the trail.
- Best for: Reserved for expert hikers.

Extreme (Mount Everest)
- Elevation Gain: thousands of feet.
- Terrain: Conditions akin to climbing, requiring specialized climbing gear, outfits, air masks, and techniques.
- Length: Requires camping overnight for multiple nights, possibly even weeks.
- Risk: Possibility of significant injury or even death.
- Best for: Exclusively expert hikers, possibly necessitating the assistance of a guide or porter.