Difficulty Rating

This rating is always displayed first and represents the level of "brain power" required to find the cache.  The rating scale goes from 1 to 5 in increments of 1/2 points with 5 being the most difficult.

• Level 1 is most likely a straight forward cache.  Get to the locations, search around
• Level 3 probably requires some thought.  The cache might not be in an obvious place and may require more searching. 
• Level 5 could require a lot of "homework" beforehand or solving of puzzles.  It also might require special tools to retrieve. 

Terrain Rating

This rating is displayed second and describes the path that you will be required to take to find the cache.  Again, the rating scales goes from 1 to 5 in increments of 1/2 points with 5 being the most difficulty.

• Level 1 is probably an easy walk that could be done with small children.
• Level 3 is a reasonable hike with some grade to it and may require some thought about how to get to the cache area.
• Level 5 could mean hanging off the side of a cliff, leave the kids at home because they would never make it through the ups/downs of the trail and the thorn bushes.

Reading the cache details will usually provide additional clues about the obstacles that led to the ratings.