Skip to main content
HE Travel Gay Travel Tours
All events

Event Difficulty Ratings

Use these guidelines to choose events you can enjoy and complete safely.

Rate your fitness

Ratings reflect typical distance/time, elevation, and conditions for hiking, biking, and paddling.

  • Conditions: heat/cold, mud, snow/ice, wind, waves
  • Pace: relaxed vs steady vs fast groups
  • Load: heavier packs feel harder
  • Skill: footing, bike handling, paddling control
If you are between levels, choose the easier rating, then build up with consistency. Not sure? Message the event host before you RSVP.

Quick self-check

  • Can I comfortably do the distance/time for this rating?
  • Can I do it in today's conditions (snow/ice, heat, wind, waves)?
  • For hiking: can I handle the elevation gain without redlining?
  • For biking/paddling: do I have the handling/control for terrain/water?
  • Will I still feel steady and safe in the final hour?
Returning from injury/illness or managing a condition? Check with your clinician and message the event host.

How GO uses ratings

  • Ratings help you match events to your current fitness (not your best-ever day).
  • Hosts may adjust ratings based on route, season, and forecast.
  • Winter hiking, big winds, strong current, or rough water can bump a event up a level.

Easy (Stroll)

Relaxed · Little physical challenge

Our most relaxed style of travel. Social, scenic, and beginner-friendly.

For relaxed outings where the goal is connection, scenery, and easy movement through nature.

Hiking 2-4 mi · up to 500 ft

Gentle ups/downs — paved, gravel, or easy trails

Biking Under 18 mi

Mostly easy-going — mild rolling terrain

Paddling 0-3 mi · 1-2 hrs

Flatwater: very calm — little/no wind or current
Sea kayak: very protected only
Whitewater: typically not used at this level

Good fit if…
  • You are newer, easing back in, or want a mellow day.
  • You can chat comfortably most of the time.
  • You would like plenty of stops and a relaxed pace.

Easy to Moderate (Explorer)

Active · Some exertion

Appropriate for most members. No special experience required, but you should be in generally fit condition.

For active members ready to go farther, climb higher, and explore beyond the basics.

Hiking 4-6 mi · 500-1,000 ft

Rolling terrain — steady walking with breaks

Biking 18-25 mi

Rolling with 1-2 short steeper hills

Paddling 3-6 mi · 2-4 hrs

Flatwater: mostly calm — easy current at most
Sea kayak: very protected (bays/harbors)
Whitewater: Class I-II (intro rapids)

Good fit if…
  • You can stay active for 2-4 hours with short breaks.
  • Rolling hills feel manageable, even if you notice the effort.
  • You are comfortable moving at a steady but relaxed pace.
  • You feel confident trying something slightly more challenging than an Easy event.

Moderate (Trail Day)

Most GO events · Sustained effort

For a reasonably fit person. Expect periods of sustained effort.

For confident outdoor enthusiasts comfortable with steady effort and varied terrain.

Hiking 6-8 mi · 1,000-2,000 ft

Rolling with a few steep sections — uneven footing at times

Biking 25-40 mi

Varied terrain — longer/steeper climbs and descents

Paddling 6-9 mi · 4-5 hrs

Flatwater: calm to gentle current
Sea kayak: 3-4 hrs — some open water
Whitewater: Class III (intermediate)

Good fit if…
  • You can stay active for 4-6 hours with short breaks.
  • You are comfortable with longer hills, uneven terrain, or sustained effort.
  • You recover quickly after climbs and can repeat the effort.
  • You finish similar outings feeling pleasantly tired, not exhausted.

Moderate to Strenuous (Summit Day)

Full day · Serious effort · Train for it

For experienced travelers seeking a bigger day. A pre-event workout plan is strongly recommended.

For experienced adventurers seeking longer days, steeper climbs, and sustained challenge.

Hiking 8-10 mi · 2,000-3,000 ft

Hilly with steep sections — rugged stretches possible

Biking 40-50 mi

Rolling to hilly — occasional steeper climbs

Paddling 9-12 mi · 6-7 hrs

Flatwater: long day — steady output
Sea kayak: 4-5 hrs — more open water
Whitewater: Class IV-V (advanced)

Good fit if…
  • You can sustain activity for 6+ hours with limited breaks.
  • You are comfortable with steep hills, longer distances, or challenging conditions.
  • You have recent Moderate-event experience and felt ready for more.
  • You actively train or stay consistently active between events.

Strenuous (Big Mountain)

Big day · Challenging even if fit

Expect to be seriously challenged. A vigorous pre-event aerobic training plan is recommended.

For highly fit members ready for demanding terrain, long distances, and big elevation.

Hiking 10-15 mi · 3,000-4,000 ft

Rugged terrain — multiple steep sections — long day on feet

Biking 50-62 mi

Rolling/hilly — long/steep climbs — solid handling skills

Paddling 12-15 mi · 7-8 hrs

Flatwater: long mileage day — wind a factor
Sea kayak: 5-6 hrs — open-water exposure
Whitewater: Class IV-V (advanced conditioning)

Good fit if…
  • You regularly complete Moderate to Strenuous events and recover well.
  • You can sustain high effort for most of a long day (8+ hours).
  • You have strong technical skills and safety awareness.
  • You train consistently and feel mentally prepared for a demanding day.

Very Strenuous (Expedition)

Ultimate challenge · Advanced fitness/skill

Our most demanding events. If you have not done a few strenuous events, do not start here. You should be in top cardiovascular condition and robust health.

For elite-level adventurers prepared for extreme distance, elevation, skill, and endurance.

Hiking 10-15 mi · 4,000+ ft

Steep, rugged terrain — very long day on feet

Biking 62+ mi

Hilly — long/steep climbs — advanced endurance

Paddling 15+ mi · 8+ hrs

Flatwater: ultra-long day
Sea kayak: 6-7 hrs — tides/waves/wind expected
Whitewater: look to class, rescue demands, and leader guidance

Good fit if…
  • You regularly complete Strenuous events and recover well afterward.
  • You can sustain high effort for most of a long day (8+ hours).
  • You have strong technical skills (footing, handling, control, safety awareness).
  • You train consistently and feel mentally prepared for a physically demanding adventure.
Rule of thumb: choose the lowest level that fits you today, then bump up only if you also have the needed skills and conditions look friendly.

Stay Connected with GayOutdoors

Receive outdoorsy tips, community updates, volunteer opportunities, event announcements, and trip reports.

We respect your privacy — unsubscribe anytime.