The 10 Best Outdoorsy Travel Destinations

1.Hiking and the Northern Lights in Norway

Hiking in Norway is not simply just hiking. A bounty of nature is a much more apt description. Wild, pristine forests, white sandy beaches, glacial lakes, and fjords await you on your journey. In Andenes in northern Norway, you can also experience whale watching in September. There are countless beautiful hiking trails – here are five of our favourites.

• On the Odda hiking trail near Burabreen you can see a glacier, walk over suspension bridges and cross a river (2.4 mi, 2 h, moderate difficulty).
• On the circular trail from Kinsarvikknapp you can see Nyastølsfossen waterfall (6.7 mi/10.7 km, 4 h, moderate difficulty).
• In Goksøyr you can see puffins and have the best views of the coast all along the route (4.3 mi/6.9km, 3 h, moderate difficulty).
• On the hiking trail from Preikestolvegen you have a great view of the Lysefjord (6.2 mi/9.9km, 4 h, difficult, alpine experience required).
• From Medvoll you can hike to the viewpoint Ryten, see the beautiful Kvalvika beach and will have a breathtaking view of the fjords (6.2 mi/9.9km, 4 h, moderate difficulty).

Night-time in Norway is not only for sleeping, but first and foremost to see the northern lights! The Northern Lights belt runs across the Lofoten Islands, along the coast via Tromsø up to the Northern Cape, where you have the best chance to admire the glowing natural spectacle. The best time to see the Northern Lights is around the equinoxes – in autumn, September is the best time. Normally, the auroras appear between 5 pm and 2 am. If the weather forecast promises clear, cloudless nights, you can prepare yourself. September is a good time to visit Norway, as temperatures can still reach up to 17 degrees. From the end of September it is dark from early afternoon until late morning – so very good opportunities for seeing the Northern Lights and also still bright enough for extended outdoor activities.

Adrenaline: ♥    Nature: ♥♥♥    Family-friendly: ♥♥♥    Cost: £

2. Geocaching in the Netherlands

With geocaching you are not only out in nature, but you are additionally motivated by little puzzles and rewards. Geocaching is similar to a scavenger hunt, but with GPS. Your goal is to track down a hiding place and find the “cache”, usually a small container with a logbook or even a small gift. You can sign the logbook and keep the gift.

You can find many great “caches” via the “Geocaching” app. How about a different kind of city exploration, for example? In Amsterdam, there is the cache “Amsterdam Urban 2 – Under the bridge” with the cache number GC921. To solve this puzzle, you have to explore Amsterdam’s canals using a rented pedal boat – fantastic, safe, free and great fun for young and old alike!

Camping spots in the Netherlands

Adrenaline: ♥    Nature: ♥♥♥    Family-friendly: ♥♥♥    Cost: £

3. Kayaking on the Vltava river in the Czech Republic

The Vltava River is the longest river in the Czech Republic and the largest tributary of the Elbe. The stretch from Vyšší Brod to Ceske Budejovice is 48.9 mi/78.9km long and is one of the most paddled stretches of river in the world. On Google Maps you can view a river map of the Vltava, detailing weirs, entry and exit points and even campsites. You can rent boats and equipment in Vyšší Brod. In Boršov nad Vltavou, just before the city of Ceske Budejovice, there is an embarkation point only 0.3 mi/0.4km from the railway station. From here you can easily return by train. Or you can continue a little further to Ceske Budejovice and treat yourself to a cold beer after the kayaking exertion, the famous Budweiser Budvar brand brewery is located there. The Vltava also meanders through one of the most charming villages in the world – Csesky Krumlov.

Adrenalin: ♥    Nature: ♥♥♥    Family-friendly: ♥♥♥    Cost: £

4. Mountain Biking in Germany

No mercy for the calves! In the Spessart between Vogelsberg, Rhön and Odenwald, you’ll pedal hard. On both the Hessian and Bavarian sides, there are mountain bike trails between 18.6 and 96.9 mi (29.9km and 155.9km) in length and up to 7874 ft/2.400m in altitude. In the Spessart bike forest you will find signposted trails with different levels of difficulty. A pure rollercoaster experience in the middle of nature is also available for adrenaline junkies at the Bad Orb Flowtrailpark.

Camping spots in Germany

Adrenalin: ♥♥    Nature: ♥♥♥    Family-friendly: ♥    Costs: £

5. Quad Biking in Austria

In Quadvalley in Carinthia, you choose the level of difficulty yourself. Irrespective of whether you prefer a relaxed tour or an adrenaline kick, with a quad you can discover remote places that you can’t reach by motorhome or bike. The 2- to 4-hour tours take you over hill and dale, over scree and through rivers. Here you can leave your motorhome behind with peace of mind and conquer the rugged landscape on a quad bike. Wild driving fun! You can book online and gift vouchers are also available.

Camping spots Austria

Adrenalin: ♥♥    Nature: ♥♥    Family-friendly: ♥    Costs: ££

Still looking for a campsite in Austria? On roadsurfer spots you can find private sites in the great outdoors with online booking.

6. Climbing in Croatia

Croatia is now considered one of the most interesting European countries for climbers. There are 70 climbing areas with over 3500 routes and the best thing is: all of them are close to the Adriatic coast. Since summer temperatures are often sweltering, a climbing holiday is also worthwhile considering in spring or late summer.

Rovinj on the west coast of Istria is well suited for beginners. On the Punta Corrente peninsula, there is an old quarry with over 130 grade 4 and 5 routes. In addition, the whole area is extremely family-friendly and is located directly by the sea. For experienced climbers, Pokojec near Zagreb in northern Croatia is a real highlight because of its unusual rock. The climbing area consists of marine deposits and is full of fossils.

Camping spots in Croatia

Adrenalin: ♥♥    Nature: ♥♥♥    Family-friendly: ♥♥    Cost: ££

7. Rafting in Slovenia

Slovenia is not only one of the most beautiful outdoor destinations in Europe, but it is also home to one of the most beautiful rivers in the world. The emerald green Soča River is a true paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. There is almost no way to avoid water sports here, as there is a wide range of water sports on offer – and all in a dreamlike setting! You can choose between stand-up paddling, kayaking, canyoning and – for which the Soča is particularly suitable – rafting. Since you wear a wetsuit anyway, rafting in Slovenia is suitable from April to October. You can start in Bovec, the adrenaline capital of Slovenia. Beginners can book a tour with the Bovec Rafting Team, for example, including a tour guide. The guide will ensure your safety and show you the best spots for jumping into the cold water. Water rats will get their money’s worth on the 2 to 3 hour wild ride. Getting wet is expressly encouraged!

Camping spots in Slovenia

Adrenalin: ♥♥    Nature: ♥♥♥    Family-friendly: ♥    Cost: £

8. Canyoning in Switzerland

If hiking is too basic for you, canyoning offers plenty of adrenaline kicks along the way. Canyoning in Switzerland enables you to discover hidden gorges, abseil down steep cliffs and jump into emerald-green natural pools. In Central Switzerland around Interlaken you will find the best tour offers for beginners and even families (e.g. Saxeten Gorge). In Ticino in southern Switzerland, on the other hand, even professionals can experience challenging adventures (e.g. Iragna Gorge).

Adrenalin: ♥♥♥    Nature: ♥♥♥    Family-friendly: ♥♥    Cost: ££

9. Ziplining in France

If you previously thought that zip lining was just a bit of fun on high ropes courses – you thought wrong. In the ski resort of Val Thorens, you’ll fly at 62 mi/h (99km/h) over the peaks of the French Alps on the 5,314 ft/1619m La Tyrolienne Zipline. If an adrenaline rush isn’t enough, there are plenty more adventures waiting for you around the resort. Your outdoor bucket list includes snow mountain biking, dog sledding and ice diving. Of course, you can also go skiing in the usual way.

Camping spots in France

Adrenalin: ♥♥♥    Nature: ♥♥♥    Family-friendly: ♥    Cost: £££

10. Paragliding in Italy

If you’re not afraid of adrenaline and you want to be free as a bird for once, then paragliding in the Dolomites is just the right thing for you. Together with an experienced paraglider pilot, you can admire the impressive Dolomites from a bird’s eye view. You can book your paragliding time in the areas of Val Gardena, Val di Fassa or Alpe di Siusi, for example. With 300 days of sunshine a year, the chances of great views are excellent until late summer.

Camping spots in Italy

Adrenalin: ♥♥♥    Nature: ♥♥♥    Family-friendly: ♥    Cost: £££