HikeMetrics
Global Hiking Index
HikeMetrics
Global Hiking Index
HikeMetrics // Comparison Engine
Route A

Highway Lakes — Blindsee & Weißensee

austria/Fernpass, Tyrol
VS
Route B

Cajas National Park

ecuador/azuay-cuenca

Highway Lakes — Blindsee & Weißensee vs Cajas National Park: Intensity Score Comparison

Cajas National Park is unequivocally more demanding overall (+12 points). While Highway Lakes — Blindsee & Weißensee is a serious endeavor, Cajas National Park pushes the limits further, particularly regarding sustained physical exertion.

Model-based (not a field report) · Evaluates overall route demand, not danger.

Intensity Difference
+12 Cajas National Park is harder
Higher Physical Load
Cajas National Park
Higher Technical Seriousness
Highway Lakes — Blindsee & Weißensee
Greater Commitment
Cajas National Park
Overall HikeMetrics Score
Cajas National Parkwins 4 of 7 metrics
3
Route A
4
Route B
austria/Fernpass, Tyrol

Highway Lakes — Blindsee & Weißensee

LOW // ACCESS
Full Route Report

The Blindsee and Weißensee lie below the Fernpass road in Tyrol, Austria. The trail forms a short loop around Blindsee and includes an optional detour to Weißensee. The lakes are surrounded by limestone slopes and mixed forest, offering clear water and alpine scenery.

ecuador/azuay-cuenca

Cajas National Park

MODERATE // CHLG
Full Route Report

Cajas National Park is a high-altitude páramo landscape notable for its glacial lakes and unique polylepis forests. As an Official Marked Trail network, it features a series of interconnected routes across a jagged, moisture-rich plateau. Compiled from publicly available sources — not a field report.

Head-to-Head Metric Analysis

Intensity ScoreHigher Overall Demand
17
WINNER29
Physical LoadMore Physically Taxing
16
WINNER27
Technical SeriousnessMore Technically Demanding
23 WINNER
22
DistanceLonger route
5.5 km WINNER
5 km
Elevation GainMore vertical
120 m
WINNER300 m
Highest PointHigher summit
1,100 m
WINNER4,450 m
Duration
1 days
1 days
Hazard LevelMore accessible
LOW // ACCESS WINNER
MODERATE // CHLG
Crowd Level
3 / 5
3 / 5
Remoteness
2 / 5
2 / 5

HikeMetrics Hazard Scale — Explanation

1
LOW // ACCESS
2
STANDARD // RT
3
MODERATE // CHLG
4
EXPERT // HAZARD
5
EXTREME // LETHAL

The HikeMetrics Hazard Scale is a proprietary 5-point classification system that evaluates hiking routes across five dimensions: physical demand, technical complexity, altitude exposure, weather risk, and rescue accessibility.

Unlike generic star ratings, the Hazard Scale is calibrated against altitude profiles, elevation gain per day, and logistical isolation factors — making it the most precise route classification system available.

Full Scale Documentation
Route A // Hazard Verdict
Highway Lakes — Blindsee & Weißensee
LOW // ACCESS
slippery roots near water: The path around the Blindsee is narrow and features many wet tree roots.
Route B // Hazard Verdict
Cajas National Park
MODERATE // CHLG
rapid altitude and cold: The park is very high (up to 4,450m) and the weather can flip from sun to freezing sleet in 15 minutes.
disorientation in fog: The mist is so thick it can hide a lake 10 meters away, making it extremely easy to lose the trail.

Required Gear Comparison

Highway Lakes — Blindsee & Weißensee
Light hiking shoesSwimwear (the Blindsee is one of Tyrol's most rewarding swim spots)Polarized sunglassesCamera
Cajas National Park
High-quality waterproof hiking bootsGore-Tex or professional rain jacketWarm layers (temps can be near 0°C)Sun protection (Thin air increases UV)Offline map (GPS-enabled)Small snacks and 2L water

Compare with Other Routes

argentina
Cerro Tronador (Refugio Otto Meiling)
MODERATE // CHLG
argentina
Laguna Torre (Cerro Torre)
MODERATE // CHLG
austria
Coburger Hütte — Seebensee & Drachensee
MODERATE // CHLG
austria
Hochkeil — The Hidden Panorama
LOW // ACCESS
austria
Kaisertal — The Stairway to Heaven
MODERATE // CHLG
austria
The High Descent — Kaiser-Franz-Josef-Höhe to Heiligenblut
MODERATE // CHLG