Ultrarunning Terrain Scale

The Ultrarunning terrain scale, is a handy measure of types of surface and grades of terrain.

Terrain

• 1 = flat or nearly flat
• 2 = rolling, total climb up to 50 feet per mile (2500 feet in 50 miles)
• 3 = hilly, total climb between 50 and 150 feet per mile (2500 - 7500 feet in 50 miles)
• 4 = very hilly, total climb between 150-250 feet per mile (7500-12,500 feet in 50 miles)
• 5 = mountainous, total climb more than 250 feet per mile

Surface

• 1 = paved or very smooth surface
• 2 = mostly groomed trail or dirt roads
• 3 = trail or dirt road with some rocks, root, and/or ruts
• 4 = trail or dirt road with substantial rocks, roots and/or ruts
• 5 = very rough trail

Source

• Ultrarunning.com