| What it is | A narrow elevated crest |
| Reward | Big views, natural travel line |
| Risk | Exposure, wind, scrambling |
| Difficulty | Beginner to advanced |
A ridge is a long, narrow elevated crest of land where two slopes meet, running between or up to summits. Ridge hiking offers expansive views and a natural line of travel, but exposed ridges catch wind and weather and can involve scrambling, making them exhilarating but sometimes serious terrain.
The reward and the risk
Ridges link summits (dipping at saddles) with huge views, but exposure, wind, and scrambling raise the stakes on sharp sections.
Ridge vs arete
A sharp, narrow rock or ice ridge is an arete.
Frequently asked questions
What is a ridge?
A ridge is the long, narrow crest where two slopes meet, forming a high line of land that often connects or leads to summits. Ridges are natural travel routes and a classic feature of mountain hiking.
Is ridge hiking dangerous?
It can be. Ridges offer spectacular travel but are exposed to wind, lightning, and sudden weather, and narrow or rocky ridges may require scrambling with serious drop-offs. Easy, broad ridges are gentle; sharp, exposed ones are committing.
What's the difference between a ridge and an arete?
A ridge is the general term for an elevated crest; an arete is a particularly narrow, sharp ridge, often of rock or ice formed by glacial erosion. Every arete is a ridge, but most ridges are broader than an arete.
Sources
- Mountain terrain — The Mountaineers