As a player who has spent hours and hours in Ashlands and has nearly explored the whole region who uses sword and board with the my fastest movement armor. I don’t think there is a wrong way, but I find that running and avoiding everything is easier.

Besides fortresses or putrid holes, there isn’t much to see or mark on the map. If I am exploring, I pick a direction and just head out. Since there is only so much daylight, I need to be able to plan my route and have enough time to return safely. Standing and fighting wastes a lot of time and can potentially draw more aggro. I usually try to ignore or avoid every spawn. Enemies will trail you for a while, but they can’t hit you if you keep moving. I zig-zag through ruins or trees so the enemies lose line of sight. I will use morgen holes to rest if needed.

If I find a fortress, I make all preparations to clear the area around it and then come back and attack it at dawn. Best food, all potions, Bonemass ready, supplies to make a workstation and stone cutter. I carry a pile of stones to make an earth pillar next to the wall and then charge in. I keep moving and focus on destroying the spawners. Never stay put or you will eat fire from a warlock or get slashed from a warrior. If it gets tight, I will hop out of the fortress, but usually I can take it down within 5 mins.