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Route Grading

Ferguson Grading System ('FGS')

1. Introduction

The FGS has been adopted as a means of assessing the nature and severity of the various rides, runs and walks developed by Trailguides and the abilities and equipment needed to tackle each one safely. The FGS was developed by Stuart Ferguson, a long time fell and trail runner, climber, mountaineer, mountain-biker and general outdoor enthusiast. In the opinion of Trailguides the FGS is the most accurate and comprehensive grading system for comparing off-road walking, running and mountain-biking routes anywhere in the country.

2. The System

Tables 1 & 2, set out below, are used in order to give a grading to each route. Table 1 sets out three categories of country that a route could potentially cross, together with a range of factors that would need to be considered when tackling that route. The three categories are, Trail, Fell and Mountain, and after assessing which category best fits the route, a letter, either 'T', 'F' or 'M', is allocated to that route. Where a route does not fit perfectly into one of the three categories the closest category is allocated.

Three variations of Table 1 are shown below reflecting the different equipment required for the three activities of walking, mountain biking and running.

Table 2 deals with five specific aspects of the route, distance, navigation, terrain, remoteness and height gain, and each one is allocated a letter, 'D', 'N', 'T', 'R', and 'H'. Each letter is also given a severity score from the range 0-3 or 0-4, in respect of distance ('D'). The higher the number, the more severe the route. The five severity scores are then added together to give an overall score. The overall score is then put with the Table 1 category letter (i.e. 'T', 'F' or 'M').

In order to show how the grading has been determined for each route, the five individual severity scores are set out, in square brackets, immediately after the actual grading. So, for example, from the book "Walks from Wooler", Walk 3 The Road to Tom Tallon's Crag has a grading of F9 [D1, N2, T2, R2, H2], indicating that it is a Fell Category walk with a total severity score of 9. This is made up of the five specific severity scores, for distance ('D'), navigation ('N'), terrain ('T'), remoteness ('R') and height gain ('H'), of 1, 2, 2, 2 and 2 respectively. The highest total severity score that can be achieved is 16 and the lowest total severity score achievable is 0.

The table which accompanies the grading at the end of each individual route sets out the specific factors, extracted from Table 2, that need to be considered when tackling that particular ride, run or walk.

Notes to Table 1

Graded paths = Well established paths with a stable surface.
Escape routes = The opportunity to cut the route short and return to the start without completing the full course in the event of weather changes or unforeseen incidents.

TABLE 1

Walking

  Trail Fell [ Hill ] Mountain
Description Lowland and forest areas including urban, cultivated and forested locations. Moorlands and upland areas which may include some upland cultivated and forestry areas plus possibly remote locations. Upland and mountain areas including remote and isolated locations.
Height Not usually above 1,000 feet but may go up to 2,500 feet Usually above 1,000 feet, up to 2,500 feet and above. Usually above 2,500 feet and up to 4,000 feet.
Way-marking Usually Limited None
Terrain Usually graded paths, tracks and trails but may include some off-trail May include some graded paths, tracks and trails but mainly off-trail Virtually all off-trail
Height gain Limited height gain May include considerable height gain May include some severe height gain.
Effects of weather Very limited effect May be prone to sudden weather changes Extreme weather a possibility
Navigational skills None to basic Basic to competent Competent to expert
Equipment Walking shoes/boots. Possibly waterproofs. Map. Food and drink dependant upon route. 3/4 season walking boots. Full waterproof cover. Map and compass dependant upon route. Food and drink dependant upon route. Mountain boots. Full waterproof cover. Map and compass. Food and drink
Escape Routes Yes Some Some to nil

Biking

  Trail Fell [ Hill ] Mountain
Description Lowland and forest areas including urban, cultivated and forested locations Moorlands and upland areas which may include some upland cultivated and forestry areas plus possibly remote locations Upland and mountain areas including remote and isolated locations
Height Not usually above 1,000 feet but may go up to 2,500 feet Usually above 1,000 feet, up to 2,500 feet and above. Usually above 2,500 feet and up to 4,000 feet
Waymarking Usually Limited None
Terrain Fairly smooth tracks and trails but may include some single track riding Will include some trails but mainly rough single track riding including drop offs and switchbacks Virtually all off / single track riding including severe drop offs and unrideable obstacles.
Height gain Limited height gain May include considerable height gain May include some severe height gain. Periods of push or carry MTB uphill
Effects of weather Very limited effect May be prone to sudden weather changes Extreme weather a possibility
Navigational / MTB Riding skills None to basic Basic to competent Competent to expert
Equipment Possibly waterproofs. Route description. Food and drink dependant upon route. Basic tool kit of spare inner tube, tyre levers and pump. Full waterproof cover. Map and compass. Food and drink dependant upon route. Tool kit. Full body and waterproof cover. Map and compass. Food and drink. Comprehensive tool kit. Basic first aid kit. Emergency blanket. Spare clothing.
Escape Routes Yes Some Some to nil

The current UK national concept for Trail riding especially for Man Made Routes in Forests is to use the grade of Green, Blue, Red and Black. To align FGS into this for the T grade only -

  • GREEN T0 to T3
  • BLUE T4 to T6
  • RED T7 to T9
  • BLACK T10 upwards.

Running

  Trail Fell [ Hill ] Mountain
Description Lowland and forest areas including urban, cultivated and forested locations Moorlands and upland areas which may include some upland cultivated and forestry areas plus possibly remote locations Upland and mountain areas including remote and isolated locations.
Height Not usually above 1,000 feet but may go up to 2,500 feet Usually above 1,000 feet, up to 2,500 feet and above. Usually above 2,500 feet and up to 4,000 feet
Way-marking Usually Limited None
Terrain Usually graded paths, tracks and trails but may include some off-trail May include some graded paths, tracks and trails but mainly off-trail Virtually all off-trail
Height gain Limited height gain May include considerable height gain May include some severe height gain
Effects of weather Very limited effect May be prone to sudden weather changes Extreme weather a possibility
Navigational skills None to basic Basic to competent Competent to expert
Equipment Trail shoes Possibly waterproofs Food and drink dependant upon route. Trail/fell shoes Full waterproof cover Possibly map and compass dependant upon route. Food and drink dependant upon route Fell shoes Full waterproof cover Map and compass Food and drink.
Escape Routes Yes Some Some to nil


TABLE 2

Score 0 1 2 3 4
Distance Up to 6 miles 6 - 12 miles 12 - 18 miles 18 miles + 24 miles +
Navigation No navigation skills needed Basic navigation skills needed Competent navigation skills needed Expert navigation skills needed
Terrain 75% + on graded track or path 50-75% on graded track or path. 25-50% off track 25-50% on graded track or path. 50-75% off track Under 25% on graded track or path. Over 75% off track
Remoteness Urban Countryside in fairly close proximity to habitation - at least 80% of the route within 2 miles Countryside not in close proximity to habitation - less than 20% of the route within 2 miles Remote, isolated location
Height gain Less than 100 ft per mile Over 100 ft per mile Over 125 ft per mile Over 250 ft per mile

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