Choosing the right walk starts with the grade
To help you find walks best suited to your needs, Pioneer Walks uses the Australian Walking Track Grading System (AWTGS). Each walk is assigned a single grade from Grade 1 (easiest) to Grade 5 (most difficult).
AWTGS provides a standardised five-grade scale used by land managers across Australia. Grades describe the general demands of a track and the experience likely to be required — use them alongside your own fitness, preparation, and local conditions.
A walk’s final grade is based on the most difficult of five criteria — experience required, steps, gradient, path quality, and signage — rather than an average. Some walks may meet an easier grade on individual criteria.
This system follows the Australian Standard for walking track construction (AS 2156) and is used by agencies including NSW National Parks and Parks Australia.
Before you head out, ask yourself: is this walk suitable for me?
Australian Walking Track Grading System at a glance
Quick comparison of all five AWTGS grades. For Grades 1–3, distance can also influence the rating.
| Criterion | Grade 1 | Grade 2 | Grade 3 | Grade 4 | Grade 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Distance | Up to 5 km | Up to 10 km | Up to 20 km | Often longer | Often 20 km+ |
| Gradient | Flat | Gentle hills | Short steep hills | Very steep | Very steep / difficult |
| Track quality | Well formed, hard surface | Formed track | Formed with obstacles | Rough with obstacles | Rough and unformed |
| Signage | Clear | Clear | Some markers | Limited | None / minimal |
| Experience | No experience required | No experience required | Some bushwalking experience | Experienced bushwalkers | Very experienced |
| Steps | No steps | Occasional steps | Many steps | Varies | Varies |
Grade 1 (All-abilities)
No bushwalking experience required. Flat even surface with no steps or steep sections. Suitable for wheelchair users who have someone to assist them. Walks no greater than 5 km.
Grade 1 tracks are the most accessible on the AWTGS scale. They suit families with young children, beginners, and anyone wanting a short, predictable walk on a hardened surface.
- Distance
- No greater than 5 km
- Gradient
- Flat (AS 1428 accessibility ramps)
- Track quality
- Broad, hard surface suitable for assisted wheelchair use
- Signage
- Clear trackhead and intersection markers
- Steps
- No steps
Grade 2 (Easy)
No bushwalking experience required. Hardened or compacted surface; may have gentle hills and occasional steps. Walks no greater than 10 km.
Grade 2 is a step up from Grade 1 but still needs no prior bushwalking experience. Gentle inclines and occasional steps are common on formed tracks.
- Distance
- No greater than 10 km
- Gradient
- Generally no steeper than 1:10 (about 10%)
- Track quality
- Hardened or compacted formed track
- Signage
- Clearly signposted
- Steps
- Occasional steps
Grade 3 (Moderate)
Suitable for most ages and fitness levels. Some bushwalking experience recommended. Short steep sections, rough surface, and many steps possible. Walks up to 20 km.
Grade 3 suits walkers with reasonable fitness who are comfortable on uneven terrain and hills. Distance, rough sections, and stamina all contribute to the rating.
- Distance
- Up to 20 km
- Gradient
- Short steep hill sections
- Track quality
- Formed earthen track with obstacles
- Signage
- Signposted at trackhead and key junctions
- Steps
- Many steps possible
Grade 4 (Hard)
Bushwalking experience recommended. Tracks may be long, rough, and very steep. Directional signage may be limited.
Grade 4 walks demand navigation confidence and comfort on steep, rough terrain. Tracks can be long with limited directional signage.
- Distance
- May exceed 20 km; distance alone does not set the grade
- Gradient
- Very steep sections
- Track quality
- Rough track with many natural obstacles
- Signage
- Limited directional signage
- Experience
- Maps and self-reliance recommended
Grade 5 (Difficult)
Very experienced bushwalkers with specialised skills, including navigation and emergency first aid. Tracks are likely very rough, very steep, and unmarked. Walks may be more than 20 km.
Grade 5 is the most demanding AWTGS rating — for fit, experienced walkers who are self-sufficient in remote, unmarked, or alpine terrain.
- Distance
- Often more than 20 km
- Gradient
- Very steep and difficult
- Track quality
- Rough, unformed, or absent track
- Signage
- Little or no directional signage
- Experience
- Navigation, first aid, and full self-reliance
What the grading system does not cover
An AWTGS grade describes the track — not how hard the day will feel for you or your group. Weather, heat, recent storm damage, water levels, navigation complexity, and personal fitness can all change difficulty on the day.
Grades 1–3 are generally a reliable guide for planning. For Grades 4–5, treat the rating as a starting point: carry maps, plan for self-reliance, and assess conditions before you commit.
Grade 1 includes language about wheelchair use with assistance, but AWTGS measures walking difficulty — not full accessibility. Confirm track width, surface, parking, and facilities with the land manager when access requirements are critical.
Bushwalking safety tips
- Choose walks that match your experience and fitness.
- Wear suitable footwear and carry enough water — especially in warm weather.
- Tell someone your plans and allow enough time to finish before dark.
- Check the weather and fire danger; turn back if conditions worsen.
- Stay on marked trails, take your rubbish, and respect wildlife.
Common questions about AWTGS
What is the Australian Walking Track Grading System (AWTGS)?
AWTGS is Australia's standard five-grade scale for walking tracks, aligned with AS 2156. It helps walkers choose routes that match their experience, fitness, and preparation.
How is a walk's final AWTGS grade decided?
A grade is based on the hardest of five criteria — experience required, steps, gradient, path quality, and signage — not an average. One difficult section can set the overall grade.
Does Grade 1 mean a track is fully wheelchair accessible?
Not necessarily. Grade 1 describes walking difficulty and includes tracks suitable for wheelchair users with assistance, but accessibility also depends on width, surface, parking, facilities, and local conditions. Check with the land manager when access is critical.
What does AWTGS not tell you about a walk?
Grades describe the track, not the full trip risk. Weather, heat, fire danger, water levels, track maintenance, group fitness, and navigation still affect how hard a walk feels on the day.
