Imagine covering the full trailhead-to-trailhead distance, seeing all the same sights and enjoying the same feelings of freedom and escape that the through-hikers experience, but in half the time. You can do exactly that by packing light, swapping heavy hiking boots for more nimble trail walking shoes or even running shoes, and being a bit more fleet on your feet. The pursuit you need in your life is called fastpacking – and it might just revolutionise the way you explore the outdoors.
For outdoor adventurers, heading off on a proper backpacking jaunt is a pretty exciting prospect. Spending several days and nights out and about, exploring a long-distance path (LDP) along the coastline, across a moor or through a mountain range – either solo, with a partner or some mates – is exactly the kind of al fresco escapade that we yearn for. These experiences can challenge and rejuvenate you in equal measure, and they generally result in a bunch of great anecdotes and long-lasting memories.
