Fastpacking

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.

Seasons

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)

Must See

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 1Brecon Beacons

Route 2Snowdonia

Route 3South Downs Way

Route 4Dartmoor

Route 5Cumbria Way

Route 6Coast to Coast

Route 7West Highland Way

Route 8Knoydart

Europe

Route 9Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc

Route 10Dolomites Alta Via 1

Route 11Alpine Pass Route

Asia

Route 12Manaslu Mountain Trail Race

Appendix AFurther information and reading

Appendix BGear list