How hard is hard?

What do you mean by easy?

Why did I find an easy walk such hard work with my stroller?

Hopefully, this page will make it all clear....or at least clearer than the mud we sometimes struggle through!

Here you will find a more detailed description and illustration of the sorts of terrain you can expect to find on each of our grades from real walks - the walk number or book title is given for each photo.

But remember, whatever the grade, our routes have ALL been done with a baby in an all-terrain pushchair, and many with a second carried in addition!

We do not include routes which require long stretches of carrying or routes that we are not totally comfortable on.

Flat path along Sutton Bank (ATP North York Moors)

Easy boardwalk on the Mawddach Trail (PWNW19)

Broad woodland path at Tal-y-Bont (PWNW27)

Smooth grass on Penrhyn Trearddur (PWNW26)

Moderate

• Rougher gravel and stony tracks and paths, sometimes narrow.

• Woodland may have tree roots and rocks on paths, grassy paths uneven and can be vegetated in summer.

• Includes routes over open country, moorland and long beaches.

• May have steps.

• Steeper inclines, some over long stretches but most on good paths.

• The hardest grade recommended for strollers.

Stony moorland path near Danby (PWY14)

Yes, this is still moderate! Ford at Goathland (PWY12)

Woodland path, Cropton (ATP North York Moors)

Longer uneven grass near Ravenscar (PWY9)

Hard

• Rough terrain.

• Stony, rocky and rutted paths and tracks including rough cobbles.

• May be narrow and some can be muddy or slippery in wet weather.

• Woodland paths narrow and uneven with abundant rocks and tree roots.

• Grassy paths rough and more vegetated, may be narrow requiring pushchair tilting.

• Includes marshy heath, rocky hillsides and pebbly beaches.

• Inclines can be steep and prolonged and may be on rough ground.

• Some lifting may be necessary over short rough stretches.

• Parts of these walks are not suitable for walking toddlers.

• Only for the fit with serious ATPs!

Pebbly beach on the Menai Straits (ATP Anglesey)

Rocky descent near Barmouth (ATP Snowdonia)

Heathland above Ysbyty

Ifan (PWNW21)

Uphill slog to Llyn Anafon (PWNW4)

And finally....

• All grades may have obstacles requiring lifting – look for the stile symbol

• All grades may have unprotected drops – read the description carefully

• Not all easy and moderate routes are suitable for strollers – look for the pushchair symbol

Take me back to the main walks page