“Getting to the top is optional. Getting down is mandatory.” -Ed Viesturs

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Scramble levels are often hard to define, especially the difference between them. Here is a small overview of each of the 5 levels.

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Level 1

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Walking with or without inclination (even if it's steep and exposed), that doesn't require your hands.

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Level 2

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Now with level 2, we might use our hands, but only for keeping our balance. As soon as we use our hands to pull ourselves up it is level 3 and beyond. It is usually where hiking poles get more useful. This requires some sort of focus, but the chance of getting hurt is very low (only flesh wounds).

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Level 3

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This is where the fun starts! I am sure you figured out that for it to be level 3, you need to be using your hands to pull yourself up. (I'm glad you have been paying attention.) But the climb is still pretty straight forward, not much route-finding skill is required and it is relatively easy to find good grips for your hands and feet. At that level exposure increases. A fall might result in an injury.

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Level 4

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This is where it gets very sketchy for some. Now you constantly need your both hands. You have greater exposures, resulting in a higher chance of not surviving if you fall. This is usually where before climbing up, I make sure I will be able to climb down. Make sure you don't climb this level without rope if it is wet or icy. It's steeper and much harder to find a good grip for your hands and feet (and those grips might not be very solid).

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Level 5

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This is basically where rock climbing starts, you will want helmets and ropes. The gradings of rock climbing usually go from 5.0 to 5.15d (until someone manages to do 5.15e).