Planning a fastpacking route: how to get it right to move fast without improvisation

The difference between a good fastpacking and a bad one is not usually in the legs.
It is on the map.

In fastpacking there is no room for constant improvisation. Not because it is dangerous, but because every wrong decision is paid for in energy, time and headaches. An unnecessary detour, a badly calculated slope or a fountain that is not where you thought it would be can completely break the rhythm (and ruin the route).

Planning well doesn't mean restricting the adventure.
Meaning gaining freedom once you are on the move.

This guide teaches you how to plan fastpacking routes that are realistic, clear, fluid and adapted to your level, so that when you set off you only have to worry about making progress.

What you will get out of this guide

• Choose routes that fit your level and your real pace.
• Calculate distances and altitude without self-deception.
• Avoid typical mistakes that force you to improvise on the fly.
• Plan for stops, water and exhaust without overloading the track (la jornada).
• To set off with the peace of mind of knowing that the route “fits”.
• Turn planning into an asset, not a constraint.

The system for planning fastpacking routes (step-by-step)

Planning fastpacking is not the same as planning classic trekking. Here you don't just want to get there, you want to maintain a constant flow for hours.

1️⃣ Start with time, not kilometres.

This is the most common mistake.

Fastpacking rules:

• time in motion, not the distance
• the cumulative difference in altitude
• the type of terrain

Realistic reference:

• 6-10 h of effective movement per day
• better to undershoot than overshoot

The kilometres will come on their own.

2️⃣ Read the gap with honesty

Not all slopes weigh equally.

Please note:

• continuous ramps vs. up-downloads
• technical field
• off-trail sections
• long descents that punish the legs

A nice profile on the map can be a trap on the ground.

3️⃣ Design a “simple” route”

In fastpacking, simplicity is speed.

Better:

• clear lines
• few complex crossings
• obvious references
• recognisable landmarks

The less you have to think... the better you will move forward.

On complex routes, you can break it down into milestones, which will help you enormously.

4️⃣ Locate water and key points

Water is not improvised.

Before leaving you should be clear:

• reliable water points
• distance between them
• possible alternatives
• areas exposed to sun or wind

This allows you to adjust the load you will carry without fear.

5️⃣ Plan escapes (even if you don't use them).

It's not pessimism, it's foresight. The moment you have B plans, you'll take the mental weight off your shoulders, and you'll enjoy yourself more.

Id:

• nearby tracks
• villages
• shelters
• exit valleys

Knowing that they exist gives you peace of mind and scope for decision making.

❌ Typical mistakes when planning fastpacking routes

• Copying tracks from others without adapting them to your level.
• Underestimate the cumulative elevation gain.
• Planning “by eye” without calculating real times.
• Failure to check the terrain in detail.
• Carrying too much water out of fear.
• No plan B.

Most dropouts come from previous bad decisions, not a lack of form.

How I plan my routes (1-3 days)

My process is always the same:

1. Define realistic movement times.
2. Adjust distance to slope and terrain.
3. Draw a simple and logical layout.
4. Mark water, leaks and key areas.
5. Check the weather at high points.

Be careful not to be too optimistic about the map, as they say, paper can bear everything, reality not so much.

⭐ What it's like inside Outsiders

Inside we share real configurations, real questions and real solutions.

No theory.
Just distilled experience.

🔗 Keep building your ultralight system

👉 Fastpacking: the complete guide to getting around lightly
👉 What to eat in fastpacking (no cooking)
👉 How to choose an ultralight backpack
👉 How to plan your first route
👉 Fastpacking on the GR11

Fastpacking Quick Guide (Free)

The guide is designed to give you a start without chaos, without doubts and without buying things you don't need.

It includes:

• What to check before leaving
• How to choose your first route
• Which material matters (and which doesn't)
• Typical 90% errors on start-up
• How to move lightly without losing safety

It's free... but it's part of something bigger.

The guide is just the beginning, within the trial you also have the checklist, recommended equipment, resources and the challenge modules to get you up to speed quickly.

📥 Download it here (access with the free trial):
👉 https://www.skool.com/outsiders/about