Fastpacking is the art of moving fast and light on multi-day running adventures, carrying only the bare essentials and covering terrain in days that would take a backpacker a week. From a two-day bothy tour in the Scottish Highlands to a week running hut to hut in the Alps, it opens up a world of mountain travel that sits between trail running and backpacking.

This guidebook is an introduction to fastpacking for trail runners of all abilities, combining 12 tried-and-tested route ideas with 12 inspirational stories from leading runners, including Jez Bragg, Anna Frost and Jasmin Paris, alongside comprehensive practical guidance on everything needed to plan and prepare for a multi-day running adventure.

• Twelve route ideas span the UK, Europe and Asia, from the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons), Eryri (Snowdonia), Dartmoor, the Cumbria Way, the Coast to Coast, the West Highland Way and Knoydart to the UTMB, the Dolomites Alta Via 1 and the Alpine Pass Route in Europe, and the Manaslu Mountain Trail Race in Nepal
• Each route idea includes a summary, mapping, gradient profile, highlights, tips and tales from the trail, giving enough detail to inspire and plan without prescribing a rigid itinerary
• Twelve inspirational stories from the world of multi-day running cover adventures in the UK, USA, Europe and Asia, including the Pennines, the Sierra Nevada, the Himalaya and Bhutan, told by some of the sport's best-known names
• Comprehensive practical guidance covers training for fastpacking, the different styles of trip (mountain hut hopping, bothy tours, wild camping), what to take, clothing, footwear, food, nutrition, hydration, safety and how to get started
• A detailed gear list and further reading appendix complete the guide, making it a practical companion for anyone planning their first multi-day running adventure

Part route guide, part inspiration, part practical manual, this is the essential introduction to one of the fastest-growing pursuits in trail running. 

Fastpacking - Quick Facts

Routes: 12 tried-and-tested fastpacking route ideas 
UK routes: Brecon Beacons, Snowdonia, South Downs Way, Dartmoor, Cumbria Way, Coast to Coast, West Highland Way, Knoydart 
European routes: Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc, Dolomites Alta Via 1, Alpine Pass Route 
Asia route: Manaslu Mountain Trail Race, Nepal 
Route information: Summary, mapping, gradient profile, highlights, tips and tales from the trail for each route 
Stories: 12 inspirational multi-day running stories featuring Jez Bragg, Anna Frost and Jasmin Paris 
Difficulty: Suitable for all trail runners; routes range from two-day trips to two-week adventures, from the South Downs Way (high point 270m) to the UTMB (high point 2525m) 
Practical guidance covers: Training, styles of fastpacking, where to stay, what to take, clothing, footwear, food, nutrition, hydration, safety 

Author Highlight

“Underpinning the activity is the principle of ‘fast and light’ – taking only what you need to stay safe and happy and nothing more. This allows you to travel further and faster in a day compared to hiking, by running whenever the terrain allows it. You could see it as adventure racing without the race. It’s about exploring and enjoying your surroundings at your own pace.”

- Lily Dyu, author of Fastpacking

Map key

Introduction

Welcome to the world of fastpacking

How fit do I need to be?

How do I train for fastpacking?

The different styles of fastpacking

Where to stay

Where should I go fastpacking?

Key considerations when choosing a route

Safety

How to get started

What to take

Clothing

Footwear

Food

Tips for staying happy and healthy

Inspiration: Stories from the world of multi-day running

A Pennine passage

Solo in the Sierras

Fishermen’s friends

To the lighthouse

Hut-to-hut on high, wild trails

Roman run

The fastpack journals

A great British adventure

In the land of the thunder dragon

Following in the footsteps of spring

On the way

Seven go running

Route ideas: Twelve tried-and-tested fastpacking routes

United Kingdom

Route 1 Brecon Beacons

Route 2 Snowdonia

Route 3 South Downs Way

Route 4 Dartmoor

Route 5 Cumbria Way

Route 6 Coast to Coast

Route 7 West Highland Way

Route 8 Knoydart

Europe

Route 9 Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc

Route 10 Dolomites Alta Via 1

Route 11 Alpine Pass Route

Asia

Route 12 Manaslu Mountain Trail Race

Appendix A Further information and reading

Appendix B Gear list

Centres

Fastpacking route ideas in England, Scotland, Wales, Europe and Nepal. Inspiring stories of multi-day running adventures in the UK, Europe, USA and Asia.

Difficulty

Fastpacking is for all trail runners. Suggested routes range from easy to challenging, with distances and locations varying widely - from two day trips to two week trips, following routes such as the South Downs Way (high point: 270m) to Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc (high point: 2525m)

December 2018

Access Update

Free Royal Mail 48 postage on UK orders. European postage is £3.50 per item. Worldwide postage is £5.50 per item. If you're not happy with your purchase for any reason, we'll give you a full refund.