What to do in Europe for the Adventurous Traveler

Yes, there are loads of things to do in Europe for the adventurous traveler.

I know what you’re thinking.

Europe is all about history, art, food, grand cities, churches and old ruins.

An ex-boyfriend of mine said, “I’ll do Europe when I’m old.”

Huh?

I didn’t get this.

It’s as if the Swiss Alps didn’t exist or Chamonix with its thrilling ski runs or the Soca River with its rapids.

Let me set the record straight — Europe is made for the adventure seeking traveler.

Whether you are a hard core adrenaline junky seeking rushing rivers or soaring mountains or, if you’re like me, and looking for long walks or moderate hikes in the mountains or taking an easy kayak on a bay, Europe will have the outdoor adventure for you.

So let’s talk about some of the outdoor activities in Europe that fit every kind of active traveler and where you can participate in these activities.

Walking and hiking

I think walking and hiking are some of the best things to do in Europe for the active traveler.

Why?

Well there are trails for every skill level.

And the length of trails fit anyone from the über fit active person to the person who is a couple times a week walker.

The other aspect is that these trails take you to and through all kinds of diverse landscapes — from meadows to forests to lakes to beaches to mountain tops with stunning views.

So you can be as adventurous as you feel comfortable with AND you can visit the natural scenery that you enjoy most.

Looking for a coastal walk?

Try the Cinque Terre in Italy, the Causeway Coastal Path in Northern Ireland or part of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path in Wales.

Looking for mountains to hike up?

Uh…Swiss, French, Italian, Austrian, Bavarian, Zillertal and Julian Alps. Dolomites. Pyrenees. Tatras. Carpathians.

That’s just a few of the mountain ranges in Europe.

And you’ll most likely find trails to fit your fitness and comfort levels.

Up for a long distance multi day hike?

Yup, Europe has those too.

West Highland Way in Scotland (which I’ve done and is fabulous!), Camino di Santiago in Spain, Tour du Mont Blanc in France, Westweg in the Black Forest of Germany and the North Cape in Norway are just a few.

There are actually many more trails — short and long. Easy and difficult.

Seriously.

There are loads of walks and hikes in the stunning landscapes of Europe for the adventurous traveler.

Hiking in the Alpe di Siusi in northern Italy. Gorgeous!

Walkers along the West Highland Way between Tyndrum and Bridge of Orchy, Scotland. This is one of the best long distance trails in Europe!

Mountaineering and rock climbing

For those looking for something more challenging than a hike on a trail, perhaps hiking a mountain with glaciers or scaling a rock wall are more your thing.

I know when I think of mountaineering I think of the big peaks of the Himalayas.

But there are some impressive peaks in Europe to climb.

Now, let me be clear, if you’re not an experienced mountain climber, then definitely go with a guide.

And even if you are, you may still want to hire a guide.

The Eiger in Switzerland and Mont Blanc in France are 2 big prizes for you mountain climbers.

As for rock climbing there are lots of places to harness up and “climb on.”

The Dolomites of northern Italy are one of the most visited spots for rock climbers as is the Costa Blanca of Spain in the Alicante province.

Frankenjura — located in the northern part of Bavaria in Germany — is another hot spot for climbers of all skill levels.

Again, there are lots of opportunities in Europe for the adventurous traveler.

Mountaineering Mont Blanc. Photo courtesy of Pixabay.

Rock climbing in France. Photo courtesy of Pixabay.

Canyoning

I’ve done some canyoning — we typically call it canyoneering in the US — when I lived in Colorado.

Utah is a fabulous destination for this sport.

But there are actually quite a few places in Europe for those of you looking to do or even try canyoning.

In fact, some Wander Your Way travel clients took a canyoning tour in the Lake Garda area of Italy.

These 2 young ladies loved it!

And Lago di Garda is a wonderful spot to partake in some canyoning.

There are also canyoning opportunities in Interlaken, Switzerland; the Hrčavka River & Canyon, Bosnia & Herzegovina; and the Otztal Valley, Austria just to name a few.

Always go with a guide for these trips as it’s easy to get lost in these canyons.

And the outfitters will provide you with all the gear you need.

Have fun!

Canyoning in Italy. Way cool! Photo © Rio Lumie via Flickr

Kayaking — white water, sea and lake

Kayaking is something I’ve tried a few times on lakes and sea inlets.

I find it very calming and peaceful, paddling out on the water.

On this last trip to Ireland I kayaked with Outdoors Ireland on Glengarriff Bay.

And I loved it.

I want to do kayak more as I believe it’s a way to see a destination from a different perspective — from the water.

You can lake or sea kayak most anywhere in Europe as so many of the lakes offer good kayaking opportunities.

Travel clients have kayaked on the lakes in Killarney National Park, Ireland and loved it.

I’m hoping to kayak on Lake Bohinj in Triglav National Park in Slovenia.

Lake Saimaa, Finland and Lakes Como and Garda in Italy are also brilliant choices.

For those who want to get out on the sea try Anglesey, Wales; anywhere along the coast of Croatia or the fjords of Norway with Sognefjord being one of the best.

And for the adrenaline junkies who want to paddle the rushing waters of the rivers (this is definitely not me), the Soca River in Slovenia is one of the top river kayaking destinations in Europe.

Not far behind are a few French rivers such as Bonne, Guil, Durance, Souloise and Ubaye in the southern French Alps and the Tara Canyon in Bosnia which are all best for experts.

If you’re just getting into river kayaking, then try Ardèche Gorge in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of Southeast France as it’s a more tranquil trip.

Kayaking of any sort is an awesome activity in Europe for the adventurous traveler.

Kayaking Glengarriff Bay in County Cork, Ireland. This was both fun and peaceful.

Kayaking the rapids of the Soca River in Slovenia. Photo taken by Christian Zicke via Flickr

Surfing, windsurfing and stand up paddle boarding (SUP)

This next section brings us to places in Europe for the adventurous traveler that, once again, involve water.

Believe it or not, there are some awesome spots in Europe to hang ten on a surfboard or sail across the water on a board with a sail.

I was surprised to hear that Ireland has some excellent places to surf.

Yes.

Ireland.

County Sligo has some great spots as does County Clare and County Donegal up in the far northwest.

Bundoran in County Donegal is one of the best spots in Ireland.

Portugal has amazeball surfing too with North Canyon Beach in the fishing village of Nazaré being a top place with some serious big waves — so a better spot for experienced surfers.

Biarritz has always been one of France’s top surfing destinations but La Gravière, located just up the coast, is a bit quieter and has some stellar waves.

Windsurfers will have a loads of choices too — from sea to lake.

Lake Garda —especially the north end near Riva del Garda — is one of the best lake windsurfing spots while Tarifa in Andalucía, Spain is THE place to windsurf across the sea.

Vassiliki, Greece located on the southern coast of Lefkada island — which is connected to the mainland — is a good place for beginners and Zadar, Croatia not only gives you a chance to windsurf but to enjoy all that this amazing city has to offer.

Want to windsurf on a lake?

Then try Lake Ohrid in Macedonia, Lake Lucerne in Switzerland or Lake Como in Italy.

Many of these lakes also make fantastic places for SUP.

I’ve not tried this sport but it looks like so much fun and it’s a great workout.

Getting out on one of the calm sea inlets is also an excellent spot to do some stand up paddle boarding.

So much fun to be had out on the water in Europe!

Surfing in Peniche, Portugal. © Bengt Nyman via Flickr

Look closely as there are lots of windsurfers out on Lake Garda.

Cycling — road and mountain

I have a friend who thinks nothing of going out and cycling 50-100 miles on a Saturday or Sunday.

And this friend has taken cycling trips — on a road bike — to the Dolomites in northern Italy and to Spain near Girona.

She loved these trips.

Let’s face it Europe is home to the Tour de France as well as a few other long distance cycling races such as the Giro d’Italia.

So cycling is a big deal all around Europe.

You can tackle the mountains of France, Italy, Switzerland or Spain but you can also keep it flat by cycling the path along the Danube River taking in Germany, Slovakia, Hungary and Serbia.

You can take multi day trips or just a day trip.

Cycling through the vineyards of Burgundy or Tuscany is a fantastic way to mix some good food and wine with your adventurous soul.

And for those looking to get off road on those 2 wheels there are some terrific spots for mountain biking.

Once again I’ll bring up Lake Garda in Italy as a superb spot for mountain biking.

The areas around Innsbruck, Austria and Verbier, Switzerland are good destinations as well.

In Scotland you’ll find the Great Glen to be an awesome choice and in Iceland try the Southern Highlands.

Europe really is made for cycling — road or mountain.

And what better way to see Europe than from the saddle of a bicycle?!

Cycling is definitely one of the best activities to do in Europe for the active traveler.

Cycling in the Dolomites of Italy. Photo courtesy of Pixabay.

Mountain biker on the Senes trail in Fanes-Senes-Braies Nature Park, Italy

Skiing and snowboarding

The best thing to in Europe for the adventurous traveler who loves winter sports is to ski or snowboard at one of the many resorts.

While I’ve done some snowboarding in the past in Colorado, it’s been a few years.

But making some turns down a gentle slope at one of the resorts in Europe is something that definitely appeals to me.

There are world class, world famous resorts in Europe — Chamonix, France; Zermatt, Switzerland; and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy.

But there are also lesser-visited (and often cheaper) ski and snowboard destinations such as Baqueira-Beret in the Catalan Pyrenees of Spain, Les Carroz in the Grand Massif area of France and Zakopane in the Tatra Mountains of Poland.

You’ll find so many more ski and snowboard areas in Norway, Sweden, Finland, Slovenia, Germany, Slovakia and Austria.

There’s no shortage of fun for you snow bunnies.

And there are resorts that offer all kinds of terrain for every skill level and many are family-friendly if you’re traveling with the kiddos.

Skiing in Switzerland. Photo courtesy of Pixabay.

Cross country skiing and snowshoeing

For the snow bunnies who like something a little slower pace, Europe has loads of opportunities for you as well.

Personally I have not cross country skied — yet.

But I’d love to try it.

Snowshoeing is a kick.

It’s really like hiking on the snow in some ways.

I dream of cross country skiing in Norway or snowshoeing in the Dolomites of Italy.

Val di Fassa, Italy; Mayrhofen, Austria; Alpe d’Huez, France; Trondheim, Norway; and Levi in Finnish Lapland are all areas to consider for cross country skiing.

Snowshoeing can be done most anywhere that has a good amount of snow and trails.

Many of the national parks are good places (just check the safety of conditions).

Again the Dolomites in Italy offer up some good snowshoeing especially around the Val Badia and Tre Cime.

The Tirol region of Austria; Transylvania, Romania and Finnish Lapland are other amazing snowshoeing destinations.

Typically you’ll find good snowshoeing in the same areas as cross country skiing.

*Sigh*

I really hope to snowshoe in the Alpe di Siusi of northern Italy some day in the near future.

A girl can dream…

Cross country skiing in Finnish Lapland. Yes, please! Photo courtesy of Pixabay.

Running

So while I might not categorize running as an adventure sport, it certainly can be if you choose to hit some of the unpaved trails.

Although I’m sure running in Rome might be considered adventurous!

You can run most anywhere in Europe, but if you want something a bit more challenging then find a dirt path and run it.

Run through vineyards in Italy or France.

Find a dirt trail such as the Cotswolds Way in England and do an out and back on it.

Try running along the Via Francigena in Italy.

Some of the hiking trails may work well for a short out and back trail run.

I ran along the dirt trails above the town of Castelrotto/Kastelruth in northern Italy.

Stunning views!

You can run along the sea, a river, a lake or you can even run on a beach.

I saw a couple of people running the sand dunes out to Tramore Beach in Dunfanaghy, Ireland.

It’s about 2 miles out to the beach and the beach is 2 miles long.

So you can get an 8 mile run in one of the most beautiful spots in County Donegal.

Runner on the first section of the West Highland Way, Scotland

There is so much to do in Europe for the adventurous traveler

I haven’t mentioned activities such as scuba diving or sailing or para gliding.

There are excellent destinations for these activities as well.

So while you may think of wandering about grand cities, drinking in history and art, as you plan a trip to Europe, I challenge you — the adventurous soul — to get into the outdoors and do something active, fun and adventurous.

See another side of Europe — one that puts you in touch with Mother Nature and that feeds your restless body.

Have fun …

And send pictures!