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A grading from 1 to 5 is given to each section, one grade for attractiveness and one grade for difficulty or challenge. The 5 stands for the most attractive or the most difficult category. The grades were choose in a way that the average over all hiking sections is a precise 3. For sections with a substantial packrafting options proportion the grading is relative to the hiking scale of the same section to facilitate a comparison of hiking and packrafting a section where both is possible.

Because this is only a relative comparison an attractiveness of 1 or 2 does not mean "ugly" and "not worth to walk", it simply means that the majority of the other sections are more attractive. And since several sections are mind-blowing beautiful competition is tough and a number of sections simply must end up in lower this category even if they are worthwhile hiking.

Such an evaluation of the attractiveness and challenge is obviously subjective. Rather random factors like the weather when hiking or particular memorable encounters with the local population influence such an the judgement. Anyway, we four found little discrepancies in our evaluation where we hike the same route at different times.

The evaluation of the attractiveness considers not only the landscape and the trail itself but also the social experience with the local population as this trail comes only with the people living on it and you can't have just the trailfor yourself.

The evaluation of the difficulty and challenge considers the terrain, the trail condition, exposure to weather, remoteness, section length and resupply possibilities along the trail. This evaluation is based on the regular route. The individual experience will greatly vary with the actual weather someone is exposed to when hikingor packrafting. Also some optional routes might be much more demanding then the regular route. Keep this in mind when making you choices.