A player using a shortcut to cross a river.
A log balance.
Shortcuts can be found all around Gielinor. By climbing cliff sides, crossing rivers and squeezing through crevices, it is possible to reach a destination more directly than by the alternative route. Nearly all shortcuts require the proper agility level. There are no rewards for using shortcuts, except that they will save you time. All shortcuts, with the exception of the cabbage patch stile, are P2P, and some require Ranging and Strength levels. Shortcuts can be identified by the (File:Shortcuticon.PNG) icon on the minimap.
As of 15 February 2011, it is possible to build Hidey-holes to store a crossbow and a grapple at shortcuts so you will not need to carry one.
Here is a list of most of RuneScape's shortcuts.
| Level requirement | Place | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| None
None |
Stile at Fred the Farmer's sheep field and the stile at Falador cabbage patch. | These shortcuts are available to free players, but, obviously, yield them no Agility experience. |
| Level 5 | Falador Agility Shortcut. | |
| Level 8 | (Grapple) Over the River Lum to Al Kharid | Players must have 19 Strength and 37 Ranged. |
| Level 11 | (Grapple) Scale Falador Wall | Players must have level 37 Strength and 19 Ranged. |
| Level 13 | Varrock south fence jump. | |
| Level 16 | Yanille Agility Shortcut. | |
| Level 20 | Coal Truck log balance. | |
| Level 21 | Grand Exchange underwall tunnel shortcut. | Grants easier access to Edgeville. Also means access to Grand Exchange is far easier from the nearby fairy ring and canoe. (It is known as 'Varrock agility shortcut' in the game guide.) |
| Level 26 | Falador Agility Shortcut. | |
| Level 31 | Draynor Manor log balance to Champions' Guild. | |
| Level 32 | (Grapple) Scale Catherby Cliff | Players must have level 35 Strength and 35 Ranged and have completed the Fishing Contest quest to use this shortcut. |
| Level 33 | Ardougne log balance shortcut. | |
| Level 36 | (Grapple) Escape from the Water Obelisk Island | Players must have level 22 Strength and 39 Ranged. |
| Level 37 | Gnome Stronghold shortcut. | |
| Level 38 | Al Kharid mining pit cliff side scramble | This shortcut is at the north end of the mine, and is useful for exiting to go north instead of going all the way around from the southern end. |
| Level 39 | (Grapple) Scale Yanille Wall | Players must have level 38 Strength and 21 Ranged. |
| Level 41 | Trollheim, easy cliffside scramble. | |
| Level 42 | Dwarven mine, narrow crevice. | |
| Level 43 | Trollheim, medium cliffside scramble. | |
| Level 44 | Trollheim, advanced cliffside scramble. | |
| Level 46 | Cosmic Temple, medium narrow walkway. | |
| Level 47 | Trollheim, hard cliffside scramble. | |
| Level 48 | Log balance to Fremennik Province. | |
| Level 51 | Pipe from Edgeville dungeon to Varrock sewers | |
| Level 53 | (Grapple) Karamja Volcano | Players must have level 21 Strength and 42 Ranged. |
| Level 58 | Port Phasmatys, Ectopool shortcut. | |
| Level 59 | Elven Overpass (Arandar), easy cliffside scramble. | |
| Level 61 | Slayer tower, medium spiked chain climb. | |
| Level 62 | Fremennik Slayer Dungeon, narrow crevice. | |
| Level 64 | Trollheim Wilderness Route. | |
| Level 65 | Temple on the Salve to Morytania shortcut. | |
| Level 66 | Cosmic Temple, advanced narrow walkway. | |
| Level 68 | Elven Overpass (Arandar, medium cliffside scramble. | |
| Level 70 | Taverley Dungeon pipe squeeze to blue dragon lair. | |
| Level 70 | (Grapple) Cross cave, south of Dorgesh-Kaan. | |
| Level 71 | Slayer Tower, advanced spiked chain climb. | |
| Level 74 | Shilo Village, stepping stones over the river. | |
| Level 80 | Taverley Dungeon spiked blades jump. | |
| Level 81 | Fremennik Slayer Dungeon chasm jump. | |
| Level 85 | Elven Overpass (Arandar), advanced cliffside scramble. | |
| Level 86 | Kuradal's Dungeon wall climb. | |
|
Level 90 |
Kuradal's Dungeon wall run. |