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

Sigmund Thun Gorge — Kaprun

austria/Kaprun, Salzburg
VS
Route B

St Nectan's Glen Waterfall

united-kingdom/Cornwall, England

Sigmund Thun Gorge — Kaprun vs St Nectan's Glen Waterfall: Intensity Score Comparison

St Nectan's Glen Waterfall is unequivocally more demanding overall (+6 points). While Sigmund Thun Gorge — Kaprun is a serious endeavor, St Nectan's Glen Waterfall pushes the limits further, particularly regarding sustained physical exertion.

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

Intensity Difference
+6 St Nectan's Glen Waterfall is harder
Higher Physical Load
St Nectan's Glen Waterfall
Higher Technical Seriousness
St Nectan's Glen Waterfall
Greater Commitment
Sigmund Thun Gorge — Kaprun
Overall HikeMetrics Score
St Nectan's Glen Waterfallwins 5 of 8 metrics
3
Route A
5
Route B
austria/Kaprun, Salzburg

Sigmund Thun Gorge — Kaprun

LOW // ACCESS
Full Route Report

Formed by the Kapruner Ache river over thousands of years, the Sigmund Thun Gorge is a narrow, deep chasm in the Kaprun valley. A maintained wooden walkway (Stege) follows the rock walls, allowing visitors to walk directly above the glacial water. The gorge is 320m long and up to 30m deep. The route continues past the gorge to the clear Klammsee lake, which offers a circular walking path and views of the surrounding Hohe Tauern peaks.

united-kingdom/Cornwall, England

St Nectan's Glen Waterfall

LOW // ACCESS
Full Route Report

St Nectan's Glen is an enchanting, atmospheric woodland valley deeply cut into the Cornish slate near Tintagel. This short, easy 1.9-mile (3km) circular walk follows the tumbling River Trevillet through ancient, moss-draped oak trees and ferns. The destination is a spectacular 60-foot waterfall that has punched a flawless circular hole directly through the rock basin, creating a deep pool below. The glen has been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to its rare flora and is considered by many to be one of the most spiritual and magical places in the UK.

Head-to-Head Metric Analysis

Intensity ScoreHigher Overall Demand
6
WINNER12
Physical LoadMore Physically Taxing
6
WINNER10
Technical SeriousnessMore Technically Demanding
5
WINNER18
DistanceLonger route
1.5 km
WINNER3 km
Elevation GainMore vertical
40 m
WINNER60 m
Highest PointHigher summit
820 m WINNER
120 m
Duration
1 days
1 days
Hazard Level
LOW // ACCESS
LOW // ACCESS
Crowd LevelLess crowded
4 / 5 WINNER
5 / 5
RemotenessMore remote
2 / 5 WINNER
1 / 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
Sigmund Thun Gorge — Kaprun
LOW // ACCESS
Standard conditions: No significant objective hazards under normal operating conditions. Gated, secured boardwalk.
Route B // Hazard Verdict
St Nectan's Glen Waterfall
LOW // ACCESS
slippery rocky tree roots: The path follows the riverbank closely. It is constantly damp, littered with smooth slate fragments, and heavily crisscrossed with massive, exposed tree roots.
river flooding: The path is safe, but entering the waterfall pool area after very heavy rain is dangerous due to the immense volume of water blasting through the rock.

Required Gear Comparison

Sigmund Thun Gorge — Kaprun
Casual walking shoes with rubber solesLight waterproof layer (for spray)Camera
St Nectan's Glen Waterfall
Walking shoes or wellies (wellies are essential if you want to enter the shallow pool to stand in front of the waterfall—these can be borrowed onsite)Waterproof jacket (spray from the falls permeates the air)OS Explorer Map 111 (Bude, Boscastle & Tintagel)

Compare with Other Routes

austria
Highway Lakes — Blindsee & Weißensee
LOW // ACCESS
austria
Hochkeil — The Hidden Panorama
LOW // ACCESS
austria
Liechtensteinklamm — The Helix Chasm
LOW // ACCESS
austria
Prossautal — A Glacial Box Valley in Hohe Tauern
LOW // ACCESS
austria
Seebachtal & Stappitzer See — The Valley of Waterfalls
LOW // ACCESS
australia
Bondi to Bronte Coastal Walk
LOW // ACCESS