If you’ve always fancied adding a bit of adventure to your running but don’t know where to start, read on. We’ll equip you with the kit and skills you need

Words Emma Harrison

Routine running is great; you know your local routes like the back of your hand, bend by bend and ascent by ascent, and you know exactly which route is best for which kind of effort/weather/energy level.

However, it’s also good to experience the great unknown now and again. When you’ve got a little more time to play with, it’s fun to explore new areas and new terrain with your running. To do this though, you will need some skills and knowledge to make the most of your adventure. So, if the thought of holding a compass, surrounded by trees and greenery that all looks the same sounds pretty daunting to you, but you still have a yen for the wild, don’t worry, we’re here for you.

Get a map

If you’re looking to plan a running route in an unknown area, it’s no great surprise that the first thing you’ll need is a map .

A map will be useful in the planning stage to answer questions such as whether there are routes that can be joined up; how steep the route may be; if there are going to be any fences to hop over; and if there are any lovely things to look out for or any particular destinations – like a loch or a lake – to aim for. You’ll also be able to use it to check out terrain and elevation.

If you’re planning a whole day out on hills, you should plot your routes on your map first to avoid any unwanted surprises – after all, you don’t want to be scaling a rock face unless you’re fully prepared for it.

North, south, east and west

Unless you’re a D of E queen or a regular girl scout, you may find the term ‘self-navigation’ a bit daunting, so let’s strip it back to basics. Simply put, it means planning a route, sticking to it, and being able to confidently pinpoint where you are at all times. Being able to understand basic map reading is a very valuable skill to have and an absolute must for any wild runners out there.