Rate Your Fitness

Use these guidelines to choose trips you can enjoy and complete safely. 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 Trip Leader 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 Trip Leader.

How GO uses ratings

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

Mini "Find My Level" Quiz

Pick the statement that sounds most like you today. This gives a starting point. Always read the trip description.

1) How long can you be active comfortably with short breaks?
1-2 hours -> Start with Easy
2-4 hours -> Try Easy to Moderate
4-6 hours -> Likely Moderate
6+ hours -> Consider Moderate to Strenuous or higher
2) Hiking: how do climbs and descents feel for you?
Gentle grades only -> Easy to Easy to Moderate
Some steep sections are OK -> Moderate
Long climbs and rugged descents are fine -> Moderate to Strenuous
I seek big vert days -> Strenuous or Very Strenuous
3) Biking: what is your typical comfortable ride?
Under 18 miles -> Easy
18-25 miles -> Easy to Moderate
25-40 miles -> Moderate
40-62+ miles -> Mod-Stren / Strenuous / Very Strenuous
4) Paddling: which water type best matches your comfort?
Flatwater only -> Start Easy / Easy-Moderate
Sea kayaking (tides/wind/chop) -> Check Moderate and up
Whitewater -> Match your class level below
Unsure -> Message the Trip Leader before you RSVP
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.

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/current
Sea kayak: very protected only (no open-water exposure)
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) • minimal wind/chop
Whitewater: Class I-II (intro rapids; basic skills helpful)

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 walking, biking, or paddling at a steady but relaxed pace.
  • You have done similar outings recently and felt tired but not wiped out.
  • You feel confident trying something slightly more challenging than an Easy trip.

MODERATE (Trail Day)

Most GO trips • 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 • steady pace for several hours
Sea kayak: 3-4 hours • some open water • occasional wind/chop
Whitewater: Class III (intermediate; rescue skills typically expected)

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 or harder sections and can repeat the effort.
  • You regularly hike, bike, or paddle and feel confident in your balance and technique.
  • 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-trip 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 • longer efforts

Paddling 9-12 mi • 6-7 hrs

Flatwater: long day • steady output • some current/wind possible
Sea kayak: 4-5 hours • more open water • waves/tides/wind more likely
Whitewater: Class IV-V (advanced; strong skills + group safety expected)

Good fit if...
  • You can sustain physical activity for 6+ hours with limited breaks.
  • You are comfortable with steep hills, longer distances, or challenging conditions.
  • You have recent experience with Moderate trips and felt ready for more.
  • You maintain good balance, pacing, and technique even when fatigued.
  • You actively train or stay consistently active between trips.

STRENUOUS (Big Mountain)

Big day • Challenging even if fit

Expect to be seriously challenged. A vigorous pre-trip 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 • sustained output • wind becomes a factor
Sea kayak: 5-6 hours • open-water exposure • waves/tides likely
Whitewater: Class IV-V (may include portage; advanced conditioning/skill)

Good fit if...
  • You regularly complete Moderate to Strenuous trips and recover well afterward.
  • You can sustain high effort for most of a long day (8+ hours).
  • You are comfortable with steep, rugged terrain, long climbs, or demanding conditions.
  • You have strong technical skills (footing, bike handling, paddling control, and safety awareness).
  • You train consistently and feel mentally prepared for a physically demanding adventure.

VERY STRENUOUS (Expedition)

Ultimate challenge • Advanced fitness/skill

Our most demanding trips. If you have not done a few strenuous trips, 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 and handling

Paddling 15+ mi • 8+ hrs

Flatwater: ultra-long day • wind/conditions can be decisive
Sea kayak: 6-7 hours • open-water exposure • tides/waves/wind expected
Whitewater: typically not defined by mileage/time; look to class, rescue demands, and leader guidance

Good fit if...
  • You regularly complete Strenuous trips and recover well afterward.
  • You can sustain high effort for most of a long day (8+ hours).
  • You are comfortable with steep, rugged terrain, long climbs, or demanding conditions.
  • You have strong technical skills (footing, bike handling, paddling control, and safety awareness).
  • You train consistently and feel mentally prepared for a physically demanding adventure.