Mountain Grading
The mountains on the Crown of Europe are graded from 1 to 5; 1 being the easiest peaks whilst 5 are the most difficult to climb. This is all based on my own experience. If you’re interested In learning about how to train and what your fitness level should be for a hike, click here!
Grade 1
This is the most manageable grade, meaning everyone should have no problem to reach it, regardless of your fitness level. None of these are actual mountains, they are just the highest points of the country, either on a top of a tiny hill or a tower of some sort. The “hike” is usually limited to a walk from the car park to that point. This grade includes the following peaks:
- Buurglatz, Luxembourg
- Chemin des Revoires, Monaco
- Dzarzhynskaya, Belarus
- Gaizinkalns, Latvia
- Aukstojas/Juozapine Kalnas, Lithuania
- Kekes, Hungary
- La Torre, Portgual
- Mahya Dağı, Turkey
- Mollehoj/Yding Skovhoj Denmark
- Mount Olympus, Cyprus
- Signal de Botrange, Belgium
- Suur Munamagi, Estonia
- St Peters Dome, Vatican City
- Ta’Dmejrek/Dingli Cliffs, Malta
- Monte Titano, San Marino
- Vaalserberg, The Netherlands
Grade 2
Grade 2 is slightly more difficult, but still a simple Hike. There is no special gear needed for many of these peaks. Usually just simple, comfortable clothing is sufficient assuming it’s suitable for the weather. You can hike them all in a day with ease. Mountains under this grade include:
- Ben Nevis, Scotland/UK
- Carrauntuohil, Ireland
- Dinara, Croatia
- Goverla, Ukraine
- Midzor, Serbia
- Mount Balanesti, Moldova
- Musala, Bulgaria
- Scafell Pike, England
- Slieve Donard, Northern Ireland
- Snezka, Czech Republic
Grade 3
Grade 3 hikes are more complicated. The hiker may have problems in altitude (mild symptoms like headaches), ascent, time of hiking, scrambling and finding a route. It’s good to have some prior hiking experience before attempting these mountains. Unless you are a sporty person, then you will still have no issues with these hikes.
- Djeravica, Kosovo
- Galdhoppigen, Norway
- Grauspitz, Liechtenstein
- Halti, Finland
- Maglic, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Maja Kolata, Bobotov Kuk, Montenegro
- Moldoveanu, Romania
- Mulhacen, Spain
- Mount Korab, Macedonia and Albania
Grade 4
Grade 4 Mountains require skill and knowledge. When climbing these mountains, the protection of a rope or a Ferrata kit is necessary. The climber is likely to encounter very cold temperatures, steep terrain, high altitude, and there are also risks of rockfall and avalanches:
- Mount Elbrus, Russia
- Gerlachovsky stit, Slovakia
- Grossglockner, Austria
- Hvannadalshnukur, Iceland
- Kebnekaise, Sweden
- Triglav, Slovenia
- Zugspitze, Germany
Grade 5
Grade 5 Mountains consist of high altitude, very steep terrain and climbing skills. There will be risks on the mountain, including avalanches, rockfall, and crevasses. The climber should prepare for very low temperatures.
- Dufourspitze/Monte Rose, Switzerland
- Mont Blanc, France
- Mont Blanc/Mont Blanc de Courmayeur/Nordend, Italy