Difficulty of the routes
Technical information for correct interpretation
To classify the routes into different levels, different parameters such as physical demand , technical difficulty , travel difficulty, exposure or commitment have been taken into account.
To determine the degree of difficulty of the itineraries, the SENDIF calculation method was used, designed by the Taula de Camins de l'Alt Pirineu i Aran .
This method is accompanied by a criteria guide, a difficulty calculator , and icons to represent the physical demands and technical difficulty of the itineraries.
If you want more information, consult the SENDIF website.
At this link you can use the SENDIF calculator .
The different degrees of physical demand (or difficulty) and the corresponding icons:
Routes of up to 6 km and with a maximum accumulated positive elevation gain of 50 m . They are suitable for all types of public and especially recommended for families with small children and the elderly (as long as the path does not have any significant element associated with technical difficulty).
Routes that can reach 13 km (if they are flat) or 225 m of accumulated positive elevation gain . Although suitable for people with little physical preparation , they are no longer recommended for small children or the elderly.
Routes that, if they are flat, can reach 20 km , or that, if they are short, can reach
accumulated positive elevation gains of up to 575 m . These itineraries are more demanding and require a certain level of physical preparation , or being willing to walk for more than 4 hours.
(counting the return to the starting point).
Routes with a positive cumulative elevation gain that can reach 800 m , so they are suitable for people who walk in the mountains with a certain regularity , or with a good physical condition .
High mountain routes that easily reach accumulated positive elevation gains of
900 m, so they are usually climbs to peaks or passes located above 2,000 m in height . These itineraries are suitable for people who are very used to walking in the mountains .
Icons corresponding to the technical difficulty, difficulty of movement, exposure and other characteristics that the routes may have:
Slippery, loser...
In some sections the surface of the route presents certain difficulties: it is usually muddy, it is slippery because there is loose stone or because of the type of soil (clay, sandy...), or the path is not very clear and is lost at certain points.
In certain sections
Some sections of the path, even if they are short, have a steep slope that can create difficulties for people not used to walking on it, especially children and the elderly.
Little or no equipment
There are sections of the route where you have to cross rivers and streams of considerable width and/or abundant flow. These crossings may be equipped with some trunks in poor condition or simply not equipped. Crossing the river becomes an adventure.
Medium or high risk in certain points
There are points on the route where, due to the passage of other people or wild animals, or due to the composition of the terrain, there is a risk of falling stones or rocks. If they are short sections, it is necessary to inform them, if they are longer it is recommended to wear a helmet.
Cliffs
Some sections of the route pass near cliffs and are therefore very exposed to the void, which can cause vertigo in sensitive people. If there are safety elements (such as ropes or chains), this sensation can be reduced.
Ladders, chains, etc.
Some steep sections of the climb (and, perhaps, exposed to the void) are equipped with ropes, ladders, railings or chains. Although these supports are designed to provide safety, in some cases overcoming them is demanding.
You have to hold on to the rocks.
Along the route there are rocky sections of ascent that must be overcome by climbing, that is, holding onto the rocks with your hands and feet and suddenly lifting your entire weight.
Climbing can be fun, but for many it is complicated.
Routes without technical difficulty in normal conditions
Adapted
Itineraries that, in their entirety, are adapted to be traveled by people with special needs: mobility difficulties (elderly people, children in strollers, people in wheelchairs, etc.), reduced vision or hearing problems.
In addition to all these situations, it is important to take into account that the weather conditions at the time we take the route, or previous ones, can significantly alter the difficulty or make the route impracticable.
Technical concepts
Desnivell: és la suma de tots els metres que es pugen (desnivell positiu), o es baixen (desnivell negatiu) durant el recorregut.
Distància: és el total de quilòmetres reals recorreguts.
Temps efectiu (o temps aproximat): és el temps sense tenir en compte les parades (caldrà sumar-li un % variable en funció del ritme i les parades).
Temps previst: és el temps total de la ruta tenint en compte el temps efectiu més un % variable en funció del ritme del grup, les parades, l'estat del camí, les condicions meteorològiques, etc.
Altitud màxima: és el punt més elevat de la ruta.
Altitud mínima: és el punt més baix de la ruta.
Exigència física: és l'esforç físic que cal realitzar per superar la distància i el desnivell de l'itinerari, i en conseqüència el temps que tardarem.
Dificultat tècnica: són els obstacles que caldrà superar per desplaçar-se per aquell itinerari, que amb persones poc avesades a caminar per muntanya poden comportar dificultat o perill (principalment són passos on cal ajudar-se o és imprescindible l'ús de les mans per progressar, o on es requereix l'ús de material tècnic - corda, piolet o grampons).
Dificultat de desplaçament: és la regularitat i/o dificultat per mantenir un mateix ritme per desplaçar-se (no és el mateix caminar per una pista asfaltada, que per un pendent inclinat d'herba o un caos de blocs).
Compromís: és la possibilitat o no, d'abandonar la ruta pel motiu que sigui, o de demanar o aconseguir ajuda en cas d'accident.
Exposició: és el risc a què ens exposem (caiguda al buit, caiguda de pedres,...).
Ruta lineal: itinerari d'anada i tornada pel mateix camí.
Ruta circular: itinerari d'anada i tornada per un camí diferent.
Travessa (o trekking): itinerari de més d'un dia, pot ser lineal o circular.
Espero que això us serveixi per tenir millor informació de la ruta i escollir en cada moment la que s'adapti més al vostre nivell de compromís, exigència física o tècnica.