Trail Lingo: What You Need to Know
Talk the talk, even if you’re still learning to run the run.
Trail running has its own set of terms — some weird, some funny, all helpful. This guide gives you the basic lingo so you’re not lost in your first group run or staring confused at a blog post.
Trail Terms
🚧 Technical – Rocky, rooty, uneven terrain
🆙 Vert – Short for “vertical gain”; how much climbing a route has
🏔️ Singletrack – A narrow trail wide enough for one person
🌲 Fire Road / Forest Road – Wider dirt road used by rangers, often runnable
🌁 Saddle – The low point between two higher areas (like peaks or ridgelines)
Runner Slang
🐌 Power Hike – When the trail’s too steep to run, but you’re still pushing hard
🔥 Bonk – When you suddenly run out of energy mid-run
🥴 Blow Up – Going too hard, too early — and paying for it later
🥵 Cramp City – When your legs lock up and won’t cooperate
🪓 Drop – A downhill section; can be steep or smooth
🏁 PR – Personal Record (your best time on a given route or race)
Event & Community Terms
🏃 Shakeout Run – A short, easy run before a race
💥 DNF – “Did Not Finish” — it happens to everyone eventually
🎒 Drop Bag – A stash of your own gear/food at a checkpoint during long races
🙌 Trail Magic – Unexpected kindness on the trail (a snack, a water refill, a smile)
📍 Aid Station – A stop during races with water, food, and sometimes first aid
Etiquette & Social Cues
📢 “On your left!” – What you say when passing someone on a singletrack
🎧 “No music zone” – Some trails discourage headphones for safety or wildlife
🐕 “Dog off leash” – Friendly warning, or a subtle red flag depending on the trail
🏃♀️ “You got this!” – Encouragement from other trail runners — take it in and give it back
Final Thoughts
You don’t have to memorize everything. But knowing a few trail terms helps you feel more confident — and more connected — out there.
Trail runners are a friendly bunch. If you don’t know something, just ask.
✉️ Want Simple Trail Tips in Your Inbox?
This guide is just the start. If you want one daily tip — clear, helpful, no fluff — you can subscribe below.