What should you do if you get lost while ultrarunning?
If you get lost on an ultra, stop, eat something and drink before you decide anything. Fatigue and low blood sugar are why ultrarunners miss turns and then make them worse. Check your GPS track against the route to find where you left it, and walk back only if the way is clear. If you can't confirm it, stay put, get warm, call 911 or use a satellite device if you have signal, and signal with your whistle and headlamp.
Step by step
01Fuel before you think
Hours in, your judgment is not what it was at the start. Eat and drink first, then work the problem. Sit for a few minutes; the route often becomes obvious once you've had some sugar and your heart rate has come down.
02Find where you left the route
Most GPS watches show your track and the planned route together. Scroll back to where they split. If it's close, walk back to that point, not across country toward where you think the trail is.
03Put on warm layers right away
A slowed or stopped ultrarunner cools very quickly, especially at night or in wind. Layer up before you're cold. Hypothermia makes navigation errors worse.
04In a race, return to the last marker
If you're racing, head back to the last course marker you're sure of. Tell the next aid station or race officials what happened. Don't shortcut to rejoin the course.
05Call for help if you're stuck
If you can't confirm your route, stay where you are. Call 911 with your coordinates if you have signal, or use a satellite device if you carry one. Tell the dispatcher how long you've been moving and what food, water and layers you have left. Flash your headlamp and blow your whistle in sets of three to attract attention.
06Lean on your Guardians
On a solo training run, your Guardians are your aid station. If you started a Holler live link, they can see your last known location, and an overdue alert reaches them if you miss your return time. Our ultrarunners page covers how to set that up.
Related questions
Why do ultrarunners get lost?
Long hours, darkness and fatigue make it easy to miss a marker or misread a map. Low blood sugar dulls attention. Regular eating helps navigation as much as it helps your legs.
Should I keep moving to stay warm?
Only on ground you're sure of. Wandering adds distance and risk. Layers and shelter keep you warm better than walking in circles.
How do I protect my battery on a long day?
Your watch holds the route; your phone is the emergency line. Put the phone in airplane mode with GPS on while you navigate, and take it out of airplane mode only to call or check in. Carry a small power bank and cable. Our guide to losing cell service covers the setup.
How do I avoid this on solo long runs?
Load the route on your watch, carry an offline map, know your bail-out points and set a realistic finish time with a buffer. See what to carry when ultrarunning alone.
What if I get lost at night on a long run?
Darkness shrinks your view of landmarks, so lean on your GPS track and slow to a careful walk. Switch your headlamp to a lower setting to stretch the battery, and keep a spare within reach. If the track doesn't make sense, stop, layer up and call for help rather than guessing on unfamiliar ground.
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Sources, checked September 2026: National Park Service: Outdoor Emergency Plan, U.S. Forest Service: If you get lost, Be Ready Utah: Signaling.
More safety answers, or see the safety guides.