THE WAYSTONE SCALE

Difficulty ratings, 0 to 10

Every trail and every obstacle gets a number from 0 to 10. The number falls into one of six levels, each with its own color and shape so it reads in bright sun and for colorblind drivers. Ratings are our best estimate, not a guarantee.

Scenic

SCENIC 1/100–1

Dirt roads with a view.

Rig: Any vehicle in good weather, including AWD SUVs and crossovers.
Driver: Anyone. A great first trip.
What you’ll see: Graded dirt and gravel roads, washboard, gentle hills.
Risk: Low. Weather, washouts and getting far from help are the main things to watch.

Easy

EASY 3/102–3

Two-track and a little rock.

Rig: Stock high-clearance 4x4 with all-terrain tires.
Driver: New off-roaders. Learn to air down and pick a line.
What you’ll see: Rocky two-track, small ruts, shallow water crossings, short climbs.
Risk: Scratches, a flat tire, or a scraped skid plate.

Medium

MEDIUM 5/104–5

Low range and line choice.

Rig: 4x4 with low range and all-terrain tires. 33s and skid plates help.
Driver: Some experience. Comfortable picking lines and taking a spot.
What you’ll see: Ledges up to about knee height, loose climbs, off-camber spots, tight trees.
Risk: Rock rash and dents are possible. A spotter helps.

Advanced

ADVANCED 7/106–7

Where the real trail starts.

Rig: Lifted, 33–35" tires, rear locker recommended, skids and rock sliders. A winch is a good idea.
Driver: Experienced. You’ve been spotted through ledges and know your rig’s angles.
What you’ll see: Bigger ledges, steep slickrock, tight off-camber turns, deep ruts.
Risk: Scrapes likely, body damage possible. Run with a group.

Hard

HARD 9/108–9

Built rigs and seasoned drivers.

Rig: Front and rear lockers, 37" tires or bigger, armor and a winch.
Driver: Very experienced, knows safe recoveries and runs with a capable crew.
What you’ll see: Big ledges and waterfalls, V-notches, rollover-prone off-cambers.
Risk: Body damage likely, breakage possible. Bring spares and tools.

Extreme

EXTREME 10/1010

Buggy territory.

Rig: Purpose-built rigs and buggies: 37–40"+ tires, full armor, cage strongly recommended.
Driver: Experts only, with spotters, recovery gear and a group that’s done this before.
What you’ll see: Huge waterfalls, near-vertical climbs, lines where one mistake rolls the rig.
Risk: High rollover and breakage risk. Spotter and winch required.

THE REMOTENESS BUMP

Far from help? We add a point.

A rating isn’t only about the obstacles. When a trail is far from pavement, help and cell service, a small problem becomes a big one. A broken axle shaft 5 miles from the highway is an annoying afternoon. The same break 60 miles out, on day two of a multi-day trail, can mean a long self-rescue. So a trail can be bumped up by one point (+1) for:

📍 Long distances from pavement, towns and services
📵 Little or no cell service
🏕️ Multi-day routes where you camp on the trail
🧰 Self-recovery expected: no quick tow or help nearby
🌡️ Harsh conditions, like desert heat or high-altitude cold

Example: Hole in the Rock, Utah

On the obstacles alone it’s close to a 6. But it’s very remote and usually a multi-day trip, so the risks are higher and we rate it a 7 · Advanced.

ADVANCED 6/10ADVANCED 7/10

How ratings work

Trail vs. obstacle

The trail’s rating is for the hardest part you have to drive. Each obstacle has its own rating, so you can see where the tough spots are and whether there’s a bypass.

Who sets them

The Waystone team sets ratings using members’ runs, check-ins and reviews. Ratings get reviewed as more drivers report back.

Ratings are estimates

Every rating is an estimate based on normal, dry conditions and what drivers have reported. Your rig, your line and the day you go can make it feel easier or harder.

Medallions and points

Finish a trail to earn its Waystone Medallion. Harder trails earn more points: Scenic 2, Easy 3, Medium 5, Advanced 7, Hard 9, Extreme 12.

WEATHER CHANGES EVERYTHING

A storm can rewrite a trail’s rating

Weather is unpredictable, and it can completely change how hard a trail is. Rain turns slickrock slick and clay into grease. Snow and ice hide ledges and make shelf roads dangerous. Flash floods can wash out a route or strand you in a wash, sometimes from a storm miles away. A Medium trail in the dry can be Hard or impassable after a storm.

Check the forecast and the latest flags and check-ins before you go, watch the sky while you’re out, and be ready to turn around.

Ratings are estimates, not a promise. Trails change and every rig and driver is different. You, the driver, are responsible for your rig, your passengers and your decisions, and you take on the risks that come with off-roading. Scout anything you’re unsure about, run with others, turn around when it doesn’t feel right, and drive at your own risk.

Find a trail The Waystone Code