Vertical Gain
Overview
Vertical gain refers to the cumulative elevation ascended during a hike, representing the total uphill distance traveled.
Key points
- Important metric for assessing route difficulty and exertion.
- Varies independently of total mileage.
- Often used in guidebooks, apps, and route planning tools.
- Can influence pacing, calorie needs, and time estimates.
Details
Vertical gain measures the total ascent accumulated over a route and is a key factor in determining effort. Trails with high vertical gain may involve steep climbs, switchbacks, or rugged terrain. Understanding vertical gain helps hikers forecast travel times and manage fatigue. It is often paired with vertical loss and elevation profiles for complete assessment.
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Illustrative hiking footage
The following external videos offer general visual context for typical hiking environments. They are not official route recommendations, safety instructions, or planning tools.