Find a level 1 trip at your own pace

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Giovanna Crippa

Product Manager Europe

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Cassandre Dufour

Travel expert in France, Switzerland and Italy.

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Kristiina Gaillard

Alps and Scandinavia travel expert

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What to expect from a level 1 trip

For walking, level 1 generally means 2 to 4 hours of walking per day, with a maximum of 300 m of ascent and descent, on easy paths. For cycling, the stated daily stages range from 25 to 45 km, on a flat route with no technical difficulties. For snowshoeing, expect around 2 to 4 hours of walking in gently rolling terrain in most cases.

These guidelines come from our difficulty grading chart. Each trip’s details remain the reference: they specify distances, elevation gain and loss, terrain and any longer days. A level 1 trip still requires you to be able to repeat the activity over several consecutive days.

On foot, by bike or in the snow

• Level 1 walking trips focus on easy trails with limited elevation gain and loss.
• Cycling trips can be suitable for a first journey from place to place if you are comfortable with the stated distances.
• For trips in the snow, check the duration of each day’s stage and the expected conditions in the trip details, even when the trip is graded as easy.

Unsure which of two levels to choose? Compare this selection with level 2 and level 3 trips. Our team can also help you compare the proposed daily stages with your usual outings.

Self-guided or in a small group

On a self-guided trip, you follow the route notes and GPS tracks provided, on dates agreed with your travel adviser. On a guided trip, a guide leads the group and adjusts the pace within the scope of the itinerary. The physical difficulty remains the same: the main difference is how independently you travel and whether a guide is present.