Technical path advice and guidance

The Path Managers Guide to Grading

Ensure consistent and clear communication about your paths with The Path Managers Guide to Grading. This guide provides a standard way to survey and then describe path features. This will help people walking or wheeling to know which routes are suitable for them.

This guide offers:

A simple approach to path grading designed for clearly defined paths (not for long distance or mountain routes).
The 6 part system covers how to describe paths consistently. This includes the path’s name, grade (from easy to strenuous), terrain, distance and estimated walking times, and highlights of the route.
Standard terminology for describing terrain features.
Advice for surveying paths in the field.
Symbol and graphic design guidance showing examples of how the grading system looks when you use it.

We updated our brand and name in June 2025 to Walking Scotland. We’re still working to update everything with our new branding. This means you might spot our previous, Paths for All, branding in places, and some links in downloads might not work as they should.

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