The MIDE system

The MIDE system to assess route difficulty levels

This guide uses the MIDE system (Means of Information for Excursions) to assess route difficulty levels. It is recommended by the Spanish Sports and Climbing Federation (FEDME), the Civil Protection of the Aragonese Government and other entities.

MIDE is a communication exchange system between hikers to evaluate and inform on the technical and physical challenges of routes. Its objective is to collate these difficulty level evaluations, thus presenting other hikers with an informed choice of route.

It is free to use by those supplying the information and it simply serves to collate the descriptions, evaluations and recommendations as each author sees fit. It is also free to those seeking information, who understand that nature is much more complex than any information system can evaluate.

MIDE assesses a series of difficulty aspects on a range of 1 to 5 points (lesser to greater) :


 

Medium.

Harshness of the natural environment

1The environment is not risk-free

2There is more than one risk factor.

3 There are several risk factors.

4There are plenty of risk factors

5There are multiple risk factors.

Itinerary.

Difficulty in following the itinerary

1Well-defined paths and crossroads

2Pathways or signage that indicate continuity

3Requires precise identification of geographical features and compass-reading

4Requires orienteering techniques and ability to navigate off-track

5Navigation is interrupted by obstacles that need to be circumvented

Travel.

Underfoot conditions

1Level surface.

2Bridle paths.

3Stepped paths or uneven terrain.

4Requires scrambling to maintain balance.

5 Requires climbing in order to ascend.

Underfoot conditions

Effort

1Up to 1 h. at a steady pace.

2Over 1 h. and up to 3 h. at a steady pace

3Over 3 h. and up to 6 h. at a steady pacee

4Over 6 h. and up to 10 h. at a steady pace.

5 Over 10 h. at a steady pace.

Calculated according to MIDE opinions for hikers carrying a small to medium load.