Everything you need to go fastpacking in the UK
Fastpacking in the UK
There’s a moment on every fastpacking trip — remote, windswept, legs aching, light fading — when the trail starts to feel like home. After a day of running or hiking with everything on your back, you’re watching the sun dip behind the hills, dinner bubbling on the stove, bivvy or tent waiting nearby. No crowds, no curfews — just open sky and the satisfaction of getting there under your own steam.
This is fastpacking. Not just running with a rucksack or lightweight backpacking, but a fast and light way of moving through wild terrain. Cover more ground by day, sleep wild at night. It’s a test of legs, layers and logistics — and once you’ve tried it, there’s no going back. From solo overnighters in the Brecon Beacons to multi-day pushes across the Cairngorms, fastpacking UK is one of the most rewarding, exhilarating ways to explore the outdoors.
But it’s not without its challenges. Fastpacking in the UK means planning your route carefully, packing for unpredictable conditions, and knowing where you can — and can’t — pitch up for the night. It means carrying a first aid kit you hopefully won’t use, choosing trail shoes that won’t shred your feet, and finding water sources that don’t taste like sheep. It’s part endurance sport, part navigation exercise, part wild camping — and every bit an adventure.
This hub is your starting point. We’ve built it to help you get out there safely, responsibly, and confidently. Inside, you’ll find gear reviews, route guides, practical advice, fastpacking kit lists, and tips from people who’ve tried, tested, and refined their setups across every kind of terrain. Because if you ask us, there’s no better way to fall in love with the British landscape than to run through it all day — and sleep right in the middle of it.
Join one of our guided fastpacking adventures across the UK — the perfect way to try your first overnighter, build confidence on the trail, and put lightweight gear to the test (we’ll supply the good stuff). Ready to move fast and sleep wild?
Guided fastpacking trips with the GBAC
What you need to know before your first UK fastpacking trip
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What is fastpacking?
Find out everything you need to start fastpacking — from how it differs from trail running and backpacking to essential tips for your first trip.
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Your essential fastpcking kit list for your first overnighter
Discover exactly what to pack for your first fastpacking trip — from tents to sleeping bags and more — with this clear, no-fuss kit list that’s designed to help you head out prepared and confident.
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Leave no Trace: The wild camper’s code
Learn all about the Leave no Trace principles — a simple but impactful philosophy we all need to follow — so you can enjoy the freedom of the wild while protecting the places we all love.
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Where to wild camp in the UK: How to get started
Discover how and where to wild camp legally in the UK. This guide breaks down the rules, highlights the best spots, and shares practical tips to help you plan and pitch with confidence.
Our latest fastpacking and trail running gear reviews
Come fastpacking with us
Eager to try fastpacking but not sure where to begin? Join one of our expertly guided fastpacking adventures across the UK — with lightweight, top-quality gear included in every booking. Adventures starting at only £55.
A smart, trainer-like hiking shoe that blends urban comfort with trail-ready grip.