If you’re looking for reliable, genuine, and captivating hiking content, you’ve come to the right place.
As a hiking enthusiast, I have personally completed every hike that I write about on this website. I don’t rely on second-hand information or hearsay. I experience the trails first-hand, and I document them with photos and videos that I capture and edit myself.
But how do I rate the hikes that I feature on Chill & Explore? How do I decide which ones are worth your time and effort? How do I compare and contrast different hikes that may have different characteristics and challenges?
To answer these questions, I have developed a comprehensive and consistent rating system that I apply to every hike that I review. This rating system is based on five categories that I consider important and relevant for any hiker. These categories are:
- Easiness: This category measures how physically demanding the hike is, taking into account factors such as distance, elevation gain, and terrain. A higher score means the hike is easier and more accessible, while a lower score means the hike is harder and more challenging.
- Scenery: This category measures how visually appealing the hike is, taking into account factors such as landscapes, flora, and fauna, and most importantly, the views. A higher score means the hike is more scenic and beautiful, while a lower score means the hike is less scenic and bland.
- Trail Condition: This category measures how well-maintained and marked the hike is, taking into account factors such as signage, trail surface, obstacles, and hazards. A higher score means the hike is more comfortable and safe, while a lower score means the hike is more rough and risky.
- Safety: This category measures the overall safety of the hike, taking into account factors such as wildlife, remoteness, and terrain. A higher score means the hike is more safe and peaceful, while a lower score means the hike is more dangerous and stressful.
- Local Popularity: This category measures how popular the hike is amongst locals, taking into account factors such as accessibility, cultural significance, and popularity amongst locals. A higher score means the hike is more popular and busy, while a lower score means the hike is more hidden and quiet.
Each category is assigned a weight that reflects its importance and relevance for the overall rating of the hike. The weights are as follows:
- Easiness: 17.5%
- Scenery: 40%
- Trail Condition: 17.5%
- Safety: 15%
- Local Popularity: 10%
The final rating of the hike is calculated by multiplying the score of each category by its weight and adding them up. The final rating is expressed as a percentage, with 100% being the highest possible score and 0% being the lowest possible score.
For example, let’s say I rate a hike as follows:
- Easiness: 8/10
- Scenery: 9/10
- Trail Condition: 7/10
- Safety: 6/10
- Local Popularity: 5/10
The final rating of the hike would be:
Final Rating: (8 x 0.175) + (9 x 0.4) + (7 x 0.175) + (6 x 0.15) + (5 x 0.1) = 76.25%. Since I rate using a point system, this will score 7.6 out of 10. You will also see an overall star rating system that provides an easily glanceable rating out of 5 on thumbnails. In this case, the rating will come up as 4/5 due to rounding.
This means that the hike is above average in terms of easiness, scenery, and trail condition, but below average in terms of safety and local popularity.
I use this rating system to provide you with an objective and consistent assessment of the hikes that I review. However, I also acknowledge that hiking is a subjective and personal experience, and that different hikers may have different preferences and expectations.
Therefore, I also include a detailed description of the hike, highlighting its pros and cons, its challenges and rewards, and its best features and tips. I also invite you to share your own ratings and reviews of the hikes that you have completed, so that we can learn from each other and enrich our community.
I hope this article helps you understand how I rate hikes on Chill & Explore. I hope it also inspires you to explore more trails and discover more wonders. Happy hiking! 😊
Cheers, Elliot
