In fact, speed hiking we have always done it even without knowing it. But now that they’ve also given it a name, and that they also call it fast hiking, it’s actually true that it’s the best thing you can do in autumn. And not only for his undoubted physical benefits. But what exactly is speed hiking?
Speed hiking, fast hiking, trekking e trail running
In effetti tra speed hiking, fast hiking, trekking e trail running it’s not always easy to make the distinctions. If you go to the mountains and walk it’s trekking, or rather it would be hiking, if you walk a little faster you’re doing speed or fast hiking, if then in the flat sections you run (or maybe you even do it uphill and downhill) then It’s trail running. In fact, speed hiking is a kind of Nordic walking, therefore fast, or very fast, walking with poleshowever practiced in the mountains, therefore on more or less technical and rocky terrain, and with a difference in altitude.
It goes without saying that even speed, or fast hiking, It allows you to have close contact with nature, which is the most important thing, at least from our point of view. Then you can practice it as and when you want, as a quick workout instead of running, as a weekend excursion when you have other commitments, as part of a real longer trek. Basically it’s about walking at a good pace, if not a high pace, in the mountains.
Speed hiking: how fast to walk in the mountains
It’s not mandatory, of course, and it’s probably not even for everyone. Because if for you hiking in the mountains means enjoying the moment and the place, it’s fine if you take it easy.
But if you have little time available, or you want to do an intense workout, then to really do speed hiking you need to look at heart rate rather than speed – which in the mountains is always an unmanageable parameter.
Meaning what your heart should beat between 60% and 80% of your Maximum Heart Rate (empirically you calculate your FcMax by subtracting your age from 220).
The benefits are all those of a (more or less) short and intense workout, from the cardiovascular system to muscle strength, not just in the lower limbs.
But that’s not what we’re talking about here, so much as the fact that it’s the best thing you can do in the fall.
Why is speed hiking the best thing you can do in the fall?
In autumn the days get shorter, you have fewer hours of light available to go on long excursions from dawn to dusk, and the temperatures also drop, both in the morning and at dusk, and this means that to go on a real trek you need to bring lots of equipment with you.
With speed hiking instead you can start lightwith technical clothing that is not too heavy, an almost trail running backpack, technical shoes suitable for walking quickly (yes, there are also those who use trail running ones) and poles.
Start light, move fast, make full use of the central hours of the day, make a change to your workouts or whatever it’s a good way to keep your heart and muscles trained even if you don’t feel like running or have parked your bike in the garage waiting for spring, you are in the midst of nature, you can also take advantage of the first reliefs near home if you don’t actually live in the mountains and a couple of hours or little more to turn your day around by returning home full of endorphins.
READ ALSO: Keeping fit in the mountains: the Mountain Training phenomenon
Photo by Holly Mandarich / Peter Conlan / Khamkhor
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2023-11-16 13:00:43
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