Trail Running Training Camp — UK & Europe Camps
A training camp isn't a holiday with running attached. It's a concentrated block of work, coached, on terrain that matches your goal race.
Our trail running training camps are built for runners with something specific in the diary — a first trail marathon, a 50 km, a 100 km, or a mountain race abroad. You get structured sessions rather than just guided days out: climbing technique, descending confidence, pacing discipline, fuelling practice, and back-to-back long days that teach your legs what race day will feel like.
Camps run in the same regions as our tours, chosen to match your target race profile. Training for something steep and technical? Snowdonia or the Highlands. Training for a rolling, runnable course? The Cotswolds or the Dales.
What a camp works on
- Uphill economy — when to run, when to power-hike, and how to tell the difference
- Descending — foot placement, relaxed shoulders, and holding speed without wrecking your quads
- Pacing and effort — running to effort rather than to pace on terrain that makes pace meaningless
- Fuelling and hydration — practised on long days, not guessed at on race day
- Navigation and kit — so you can train alone on unfamiliar ground afterwards
Coaching-only support, without the travel, is available through our trail running coaching.
Trip facts at a glance
| Format | Guided, fully supported — routes, navigation, pacing and logistics handled |
| Group size | Small groups, typically 4–8 runners, split into pace groups where needed |
| Ability | All abilities — tell us your comfortable weekly mileage and we place you correctly |
| Guides | Experienced trail runners with local route knowledge and first-aid certification |
| Price | Quoted per trip against group size, dates and whether you want accommodation included — request a quote |
| Dates | Run year-round, subject to guide availability. Tell us your window and we'll confirm options |
| Deposit & cancellation | Confirmed in writing before you pay anything. Dates can be moved where guide availability allows |
Typical routes and distances
| Route type | Distance | Ascent |
|---|---|---|
| Technique session | 8–12 km | 400–700 m of repeated climbs |
| Long day | 24–32 km | 1,000–1,600 m |
| Back-to-back block | two days, 20–28 km each | 800–1,400 m each |
Every route is adjusted on the day for conditions, group pace and how everyone is feeling. Nothing is forced.
How the trip runs
- Pre-camp — we ask about your goal race, your recent training and any injury history, then set the camp's focus
- Day one — assessment run and technique work — climbing and descending drills on short repeats
- Middle days — the long days, plus fuelling and kit practice at race intensity
- Final day — a shorter session, then a written summary of what to work on in the weeks that follow
What's included
- Qualified guide for every run, with route planning and navigation
- Pace grouping so nobody is dropped and nobody is held back
- Safety kit carried by the guide, plus first-aid cover
- Personalised kit list sent before you travel
- Technique and pacing coaching on trail, included at no extra cost
- Accommodation and transfers can be bundled in — just ask when you enquire
What to bring
- Trail shoes with grip suited to soft ground
- Waterproof jacket with taped seams, plus a warm layer
- Hydration pack or bottles, and food for the day's distance
- Phone, and a charged watch if you like tracking
We send a full, region-specific kit list once your dates are confirmed. If you're missing something, we'll tell you what actually matters and what doesn't.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a race booked?
No. Plenty of runners come to a camp to build general trail competence. But if you do have a race, tell us which one — we'll shape the sessions around its profile.
How much running per day?
Usually two to five hours, depending on the day's purpose and your training background. Camps are progressive, and rest is built in — training only works if you recover from it.
Is it too advanced for me?
Camps run for all abilities. The sessions are the same; the distances, pace and volume are set to you. First-time trail runners get more technique work, experienced runners get more volume.
Do I get anything to take home?
Yes. You leave with a written summary of what we worked on, what to prioritise, and how to structure the block between the camp and your race.
Ready to run?
Tell us your dates, your rough weekly mileage and where you'd like to run. We'll come back with the routes we'd recommend, availability and a price.