This guide covers

  • Understanding Trail Terminology

Understanding Trail Terminology

To help you better plan your adventures, we’ve compiled a glossary of common trail terms, metrics, and grading systems used across Lonesome Wood Trails.

Activity Modes

  • Hiking: Traditional walking on unpaved trails or footpaths.
  • Cycling / Bikepacking: Navigating routes using a mountain bike or gravel bike, often carrying gear over multiple days.
  • Hike & Bike: Routes that combine segments of cycling with hike-a-bike sections, or trails where both activities share the right of way.

Trail Metrics

  • Distance: The total length of the route, expressed in kilometers (km). For multi-day tours, both daily distance and total distance are provided.
  • Ascent: The total cumulative elevation gain measured in meters (m). This represents all uphill sections combined, regardless of total descent.
  • Descent: The total cumulative elevation loss measured in meters (m).
  • Estimated Duration: An algorithmic estimate of how long a route will take in motion. Our formula takes distance, ascent, descent, and sport mode into account. See Sport modes for detailed calculations.

Technical Difficulty & Grading

  • Technical Difficulty: A categorical assessment (Easy, Moderate, Hard) of the physical and technical demands of a trail, considering steepness, terrain roughness, and navigational challenges.
  • Vertigo Grading: A specialized 1 to 5 scale assessing the psychological exposure and risk of falling on a trail.
    • Grade 1: Wide paths, no exposure.
    • Grade 5: Sustained, extreme exposure requiring roped protection or climbing skills.
    • See the full Vertigo Scale for comprehensive definitions.
  • GPX File: A digital file containing the exact coordinates of a trail track. GPX files can be downloaded and imported into smartphone apps, smartwatches, or dedicated GPS units.
  • OpenTopoMap: A community-driven topographic map style based on OpenStreetMap data, providing excellent contour lines and relief shading for backcountry navigation.

Environmental Terms

  • Multi-day Tour: A route designed to be completed over two or more days, requiring overnight stays in huts, tents, or local accommodations.
  • Alpine Terrain: High-elevation environments above the tree line, characterized by rocky paths, unpredictable weather, and seasonal snowfields.

FAQ

What is GPX?

GPX (GPS Exchange Format) is a standard data format used to describe waypoints, tracks, and routes for GPS devices and mapping software.