Category: Trip Ideas
From coast to highland: A selection of hiking routes across six continents
6th October 2025 Recently, I finished reading through DK's Hike: Walk the World. This follows their Outdoor Europe, regarding which I compiled another piece on here. In the same vein, here is one inspired by the more recently read title. The included routes range from rail beds reimagined as greenways to high passes braided between glaciers, allowing for a variety that is wide enough to cover moods, seasons and levels of ambition. Since the volume is a global collation, it offers is a tour through options on several continents, moving from cold coasts to jungled interiors and back to highlands again, with each region contributing trails that say something different about the land and the people who have used it.
North America: Pacific and Mountain West
On the Pacific edge and across North American mountains, routes range from the historic Chilkoot Trail, which once carried prospectors between tidewater and interior valleys, to the contemporary ʔapsčiik t̓ašii that shares the beaches and forests of Vancouver Island's wild outer coast. Volcanic plateaux and rainforest carve their own paths on the Hoh River Trail, while sea cliffs appear again on the Ka'ena Point Trail at the far end of O'ahu. Inland, granite basins and reservoirs frame the Wapama and Rancheria Falls Trail, and high ranges shape long days on the Pacific Crest Trail. Red rock country invites detours such as the East Mesa Trail to Observation Point and the Fairyland Loop Trail, both giving grandstand views over canyons. Further north and east, the Tonquin Valley Trail and the Plain of Six Glaciers Trail bring ice-carved scenery into reach, while the Teton Crest Trail and the classic Rim-to-Rim crossing push deep into mountain and desert environments. In Colorado, the West Maroon Pass Trail strings together alpine meadows, and the Black Elk Peak Trail crowns the Black Hills with a granite outlook.
North America: Northeast and Great Lakes
In the northeast and along the Great Lakes, shoreline and escarpment are the guiding lines. The Bruce Trail traces the Niagara Escarpment for hundreds of kilometres, while the Fundy Footpath and the Skyline Trail make the most of the tides and highland plateaus in Atlantic Canada. Nearer the ocean again, the East Coast Trail strings together headlands and kittiwake colonies along Newfoundland's ragged shore, and the Charlevoix Traverse adds a wilderness link across Quebec's shield country. South of the border, the Superior Hiking Trail follows the scalloped edge of Lake Superior, the Northville–Placid Trail cuts a quieter course through the Adirondacks, and the Lake Chicot Loop creates a gentle circuit around an oxbow in the American South. In the desert south-west, the Pueblo Alto Loop Trail explores masonry and viewpoints above a great house complex, and the idiosyncratic Spite Highway offers a different kind of straight-line progress through a chain of islands.
North America: Long-Distance and Island Trails
North America also remains the home of through-routes that many recognise by name. The Appalachian Trail links ridgelines from Georgia to Maine and continues to inspire section walks that fit around everyday life. The Bermuda Railway Trail, once the province of rolling stock, now invites an unhurried crossing of the islands by foot, while the Blue Mountain Peak Trail climbs to Jamaica's high point for cool dawn views. Island walking continues on the Waitukubuli National Trail across Dominica, where rainforest, ridges and fishing villages pass by in a slow procession. Much further north, the Arctic Circle Trail in Greenland introduces a different register again, with silence and long horizons guiding the stride through a treeless interior.
Central and South America
Southwards from the Caribbean and Gulf shores, the choice widens into jungle, canyon and altiplano. El Mirador remains a draw for those interested in long days among the remnants of a forested civilisation. Wildlife-rich slopes and cloud forest link together on the Quetzal Trail, while Corcovado National Park keeps the Pacific meeting wildland on its own demanding tracks. The Valle de Cocora and Quilotoa Loop combine wax palms with crater rims in an Andean double act, and Choquequirao adds its terraced amphitheatres to the list of remote objectives. Elsewhere in the highlands, the Colca Canyon / Isla del Sol duo places terraced valleys beside a lake of myth, each with paths that rise and fall through successive pockets of history and everyday life.
Further east and south, Atlantic rainforest and island circuits form their own collection. The Trilho do Ouro keeps company with river, bridge and old stonework, and the Ilha Grande Circuit circles beaches and coves under forested hills. Patagonia brings precise outlines and clearer air, with Laguna de los Tres offering a close encounter with Fitz Roy's buttresses, while the Dientes de Navarino Circuit adds a subpolar alternative just beyond the Beagle Channel. Out in the Pacific, the Birdman Trail tells another story in rock and sea as it loops over a volcanic isle where legends once carried real weight.
North Atlantic Islands
Across the North Atlantic, volcanic corridors and fjord-side paths set the tone before gentler farmland returns. In Iceland, Laugavegur Trail & The Postman's Path stitch together rhyolite ridges, geothermal flats and sea-cliff ledges in two very different moods of the same island. The Besseggen Ridge presents a confident arc above turquoise and slate-blue lakes, while Skåneleden drifts past skerries, beech woods and old walls along the south of Sweden. A lighter project again, Camønoen turns a Danish island into a multi-day stroll that never strays far from sea breezes and village harbours.
Britain and Ireland
Britain and Ireland add coastal circuits, ridge paths and heritage themes to any itinerary. The National Famine Way follows a poignant migration route that threads together river, canal and market town. Out on the peninsula and headland country of England's south-west, the South West Coast Path breaks the shoreline into digestible edges, while the Peddars Way and Norfolk Coast Path marry a Roman marching line with dune-backed beaches. Inland, Cat Bells remains a short yet airy Lake District ascent, and Cwm Idwal distils mountain geology into a half-day circuit that feels larger than it is. Long-distance connectors include the Great Glen Way, making use of glens and lochs to pass from west to east in Scotland, and the Fife Coastal Path that gives a more intimate, village-to-village alternative. A more experimental flavour appears on the Twin Valley Ley Line Trail, which borrows from folklore while traversing moorland and field.
Continental Europe: North and Alps
Continental options move from lowland long-distance footpaths to dramatic limestone and gneiss. The Dutch Pieterpad shows how a flat country can reveal its variation when taken step by step, and the Escapardenne Eislek Trail does something similar among the ridges and valleys that link Luxembourg and Belgium. The Moselsteig threads vineyards and meanders; the Malerweg turns the Elbe Sandstone Mountains into a gallery of pinnacles; and the Heidschnuckenweg explores heath, woodland and quiet villages with seasonal colour. The Alps provide classic waymarking with the Inn Valley High Trail giving balcony views above Tyrolean towns, the Adlerweg joining key passes, and day routes such as Tre Cime di Lavaredo and the Faulhornweg taking in limestone towers and grassy spines. Multi-country circuits like the Tour du Mont Blanc remain perennially popular, while the GR20 on Corsica keeps testing legs on a granitic spine that asks for sure-footedness as well as patience.
Southern Europe and Mediterranean
Southern Europe and its islands broaden the palette. The Loire Valley softens the stride with river bends and cultural landmarks, whereas the Cares Gorge turns the Picos de Europa into a limestone slot with airy walkways. The Sámara Circuit offers a volcanic take on circular walking, and the Camino de Santiago provides a network of routes whose destination is as important as the journey. Atlantic islands contribute their own wet rock and levadas, with Levada das 25 Fontes tracing channels through laurel forest, while the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail in the Algarve brings clifftop arches and ochre layers within easy reach. Further east, the Viru Bog Trail makes sense of peatland with boardwalks that lift the walker above mirror-like pools, and the Wooden Architecture Route presents timber churches and wayside details across rolling lowlands. Newer additions include the Via Transilvanica, which strings together villages and forest edges through a long Romanian corridor, and Planinica, a shorter name for an ascent that opens onto wide views above limestone and lake. Beyond the Adriatic, the Samaria Gorge carries stream and footpath between walls that almost meet, the Carian Trail repurposes old mule paths along a rocky Aegean coast, and Upper Svaneti blends stone towers with Caucasian valleys where glaciers remain part of the skyline.
Middle East and North Africa
To the south and east of the Mediterranean, walking meets canyon, desert and high plateau. Wadi Ghuweir Trail takes advantage of sandstone corridors where palms and water persist in sheltered places. In Oman, The Balcony Walk follows a ledge high above a canyon floor, providing lofty views with minimal exposure to the midday sun, and in North Africa the Toubkal Circuit brings the highest Atlas summits into a planning horizon that can be adjusted to the season.
Sub-Saharan Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa offers rainforest, highlands and coastlines that reward careful timing. In West Africa, the route from Gola Rainforest to Tiwai Island brings primate calls and river islands into the day's rhythm. The Simien Mountains National Park contains escarpments and grasslands with long-ranging views that change with the light, while the Congo-Nile Trail in the Great Lakes region mixes lake shore with cultivated hillsides. East Africa contributes emerald glades and blue pools in the Ngare Ndare Forest, and the Mulanje Grand Traverse in the south turns a granite massif into a multi-day expedition. Island walking appears again among the Grands Circuits, a term that covers extended tours with a feel for volcanic amphitheatres, and desert becomes a companion on the Tok Tokkie Trails, which make good use of dawn and dusk. Finally, the Otter Trail threads coastal forest, river mouth and rock platform into a five-day sequence that rewards steady attention to tide and weather.
Asia: High Ranges and Subcontinent
Asia carries some of the world's highest ranges and a great many quieter corners as well. The Ak-Suu Transverse traverses alpine meadows and passes with a steady progression that makes sense on a map as well as underfoot, while the K2 Base Camp Trek adds moraine and glacier travel to the repertoire for those with the time and stamina. India and its neighbours provide further contrasts, from the Chhattisgarh Jungle Trek with its village-to-village intimacy to the Valley of Flowers where monsoon-fed meadows frame a short season of blossoms. South across the Palk Strait, World's End and Baker's Falls combine cliff-edge viewpoints with shaded sections that keep temperatures tolerable. The Langtang Valley shows how a single valley can be enough for a week of walking, and the Druk Path steps between lakes and ridges to link two Bhutanese towns across high ground.
Asia: East and Southeast
Further east and south-east, tropical limestone and island summits sit beside urban long-distance routes. Thailand's Tab Kak Hang Nak Nature Trail earns its viewpoint with a warm climb through forest; Kulen Mountain in Cambodia mixes jungle paths with relics and riverbeds; and the Viet Hai Trail on Cát Bà Island introduces karst scenery from a human scale. In the Philippines, the Batad Rice Terrace Trail uses centuries-old engineering to shape a route, while the MacLehose Trail in Hong Kong and the Teapot Trail in Taiwan show how metropolitan areas can leave room for multi-day walking. Mainland China maintains massive walls that double as routes in their own right, and the Tiger Leaping Gorge Trail remains a classic high balcony above one of Asia's great rivers. To the north, the Great Baikal Trail links villages and bays with Siberian water and taiga as constant companions, the Seoul City Wall Trail traces history along a ridge of fortifications, and Japan provides both the primeval forests around Mount Miyanoura and the sweeping shoreline of the Michinoku Coastal Trail as study in contrast.
Australia
Australia's choice spans Indian Ocean capes, sandstone escarpments and long South Australian ridgelines. The Cape to Cape makes a point of coastal geology and surf along the Margaret River region, while the Barrk Sandstone Walk turns a loop over ancient rock country where galleries and lookouts appear in turn. The Heysen Trail ranges for many weeks through wine country, ranges and mallee, and the Grampians Peak Trail gathers the highlights of a serrated mountain chain into a well-defined traverse. Cooler air and button grass arrive with Dove Lake-Cradle Mountain, a circuit that frames a well-known crag, and the K'gari (Fraser Island) Great Walk makes use of island lakes, dunes and forest tracks to craft inland and coastal days. New South Wales contributes the Solitary Islands Coastal Walk, which links headlands, beaches and lagoons with regular public transport options for shorter sections.
New Zealand
Across the Tasman Sea, New Zealand takes the idea of single-day highlights and longer undertakings and offers a choice of both. The Rakiura Track sets a gentle rhythm on Stewart Island with bays and bush, while the Hooker Valley Track presents a straightforward approach towards ice and moraine under Aoraki's shadow. Multi-day classics such as the Milford Track and the Queen Charlotte Track combine boat landings with high passes or ridgeline strolling, and the Tongariro Alpine Crossing guides walkers through an active volcanic zone of craters, lakes and pumice. The Lake Waikaremoana Track completes the picture with a journey along a forested shore and over a bluff-backed ridge that looks out across a broad inland sea.
Conclusion
One issue with a compilation such as this one is that you almost know you cannot walk every trail that it includes. In short, you have to pick and choose, since it is all too easy for a mind to range around a planet compared to the realities of getting a body about it. Speaking of realities, there were places featured that are not as accessible as they once were; these have been removed. While some magazines feature such places (I encountered examples in issues of Wanderlust and Wired for Adventure), albeit with caveats, that is not what I do on here. Also, there are more hiking and walking trails in the world than are featured above, meaning that going deeper forsakes any sense of depth, and that is more than acceptable too.
Previously overlooked opportunities for walking and hiking near Oslo
27th August 2025 During last summer, two trip ideas entered my mind, only for them not to move any further. One was centred in Inverness in Scotland, which might have been progressed last September if I was organised to make use of a spell of fine weather while I was back in the U.K. A feeling of commitment to my new base in Ireland was the cause of scuppering that one.
The other was more adventurous: a trip to America's Pacific Northwest that could have taken me to Oregon (Portland was a possibility) and Washington State (Seattle being the obvious hub to use). A combination of complexity, not wanting added exposure to ongoing political travails, the complexity of such a venture and having other matters on my plate meant that nothing came of it. Given what has been happening since January, I may choose to leave North American escapades on the long finger for now.
That brings my mind back to Europe. For one thing, Switzerland has seen a good deal of me this year, and I passed through France too. Otherwise, conference attendance could take me to Hamburg in Germany later in the year if things fall into place. While I passed through the country on my way to and from Innsbruck in 2017, a multi-day stay would be a first for me. Speaking of 2017, not was that the last time that I was in Austria, the same could be said for Norway. Returning to either feels long overdue.
The odd thing about my Norwegian trips in 2016 and 2017 was that both saw me continue out of Oslo to reach Bergen and Stavanger, respectively. To be fair, my second encounter was longer than the first. Even with wandering around the city centre and shore, and embarking on a fjord cruise, that still left its northern forests and lakes unfrequented. With some ongoing time away from work, I thought about putting that to rights, only for the weather not to be encouraging. In any case, I could do with some rest after all the upheaval of this year anyway.
Thus, I need to pop this on my shelf of ideas for now. As a non-driver, it helps that the city’s public transport network makes this green hinterland accessible. That means that there are options that are easy to reach by train or metro. With an eye on future possibilities, I want to log some of them here so that I and others have them to hand for reference. A look on AllTrails should reveal many others of the same ilk if more inspiration is needed.
Quick Escapes Near the City Centre
Vettakollen
For those who wish to keep travel time short, Vettakollen stands out as a quick escape, offering a dramatic panorama without a long approach. With metro and bus links from central Oslo, it involves a short ascent to a summit that looks over the Oslofjord with a clear line of sight to Holmenkollen at 419 metres above sea level. The effort-to-reward ratio is conspicuously generous, which explains the steady mix of locals and visitors at the top when the weather invites lingering. Because the hike is short, it fits well at the start or end of a day and pairs neatly with other nearby walking if time allows.
Frognerseteren to Sognsvann Traverse
Another near at hand favourite is the traverse between Frognerseteren and Sognsvann, a multi-kilometre path across the southern edge of Nordmarka that connects two metro termini. Starting at the end of line 1 at Frognerseteren (469 metres above sea level) or the end of line 5 at Sognsvann, it delivers a marked trail through varied terrain, including stands of mature forest, wetlands and stretches of single track. Both stations sit within a five-minute walk of trailheads and the route is fully reversible, so the choice of direction can align with wind, light or onward connections. There are multiple rest spots along the way, some with views and others tucked in quiet hollows, so progress can be as swift or leisurely as the day dictates.
Frognerseteren to Lake Store Tryvannet
Those seeking a gentler outing often favour the path from Frognerseteren Metro Station through the forests of Oslo's Nordmarka, covering approximately 9.4 kilometres. The trail begins at an elevation of 469 metres and passes over Tryvannshøgda at 529 metres before descending to Store Tryvannet lake and continuing to the historic Tryvannstua lodge. Hikers can expect moderate elevation changes through classic Nordic woodland scenery with scenic views over Oslo and the surrounding forests, particularly from the elevated sections. The route connects efficiently to public transport via Oslo Metro Line 1, allowing for flexible return options, including loops back through parallel trails or continuing to other stops like Sognsvann. Those seeking a shorter alternative can opt for the 3-kilometre variation from Frognerseteren to Tryvannstua, which avoids the full lake circuit while still providing forest views.
Medium-Distance Routes
Kolsåstoppen
Those who prefer a clearer objective with a touch more effort often turn to Kolsåstoppen. This is an 8 kilometre loop with about 360 metres of elevation gain, reached by public transport to the Stein Gård area (bus 150) and best from April to November. The path rises over rocky slabs to exposed bedrock where the view takes in Bærum, the city and the fjord beyond. The route consists of two peaks: Nordre Kolsås at 379 metres and Søndre Kolsås at 342 metres, with a picturesque small lake called Setertjern between them. The loop format avoids retracing steps, and the underfoot interest remains steady thanks to a mix of soil, roots and granite. It stands out because it delivers broad vistas within a half-day format and rewards a moderate push.
Skar, Lake Øyungen and Mellomkollen
From the Maridalen side of the city, a route linking Skar, Lake Øyungen and Mellomkollen threads through lush woodland to a viewpoint that rewards the modest climb. Reached via transport links into Maridalen (bus 51 to Skar from Nydalen station, or train on the Gjøvik Railway Line to Movatn station), the walk is mostly easy underfoot with a few slightly hilly sections on the way to the summit. The highlight is the outlook from Mellomkollen where Oslo and the Oslofjord lie spread beneath, a satisfying contrast to the lakes and forest passed earlier in the day. The total distance is approximately 12 kilometres, with 500 metres of elevation change. It suits walkers who enjoy a mix of shaded paths, open rock and a defined target.
Lake Circuits
Sognsvann
Sognsvann itself remains one of Oslo's most accessible nature gateways. The 3.3 kilometre circuit around the lake begins a short stroll from the terminus of metro line 5 and can be walked by most abilities. Those with a little more time can extend the outing to Ullevålseter along well-graded paths. The extension keeps the easy character but lengthens the experience, taking in charming woodland and occasional views while staying within reach of a frequent metro service back to the city.
Lake Nøklevann
On the city's eastern side, the circuit around Lake Nøklevann combines shoreline scenery with space to slow down. The trail loops around this 3 kilometre long lake on the outskirts of Oslo, covering approximately 8 kilometres in total. Accessible via metro line 3 to Bogerud, the route passes green areas where families spread blankets for sunbathing, ball games and picnics. It is the kind of setting where a short walk readily stretches into an extended day by the water.
Urban-Nature Blends
Akerselva River Trail
Not every walk leaves the urban fabric behind straight away. The Akerselva river trail threads a protected cultural corridor from Maridalen to the city centre and can be joined at many points. As the path follows the water, the surroundings shift from forested stretches to older industrial buildings, interspersed with waterfalls, swimming spots and places where anglers try their luck. It is a route as popular with commuters seeking a peaceful detour as it is with tourists on a day's sightseeing, promising a sense of urban wilderness without ever losing sight of Oslo's neighbourhoods. Because the full length is flexible, it can be broken into segments to match the time at hand.
Lysakerelven River Walk
A similar blend of variety without steep climbing characterises the Lysakerelven river walk. Starting near the Oslofjord and running upstream to Bogstadvannet, the river transitions from a tidal outlet to woodland cascades and contributes waterfalls, narrow valleys and calmer stretches under a leafy canopy. Buses and the metro offer access at several junctions, which makes it easy to plan a one-way walk and return from a different stop. For some, the trail forms a segment in a longer day that links other paths, while others treat it as a stand-alone outing that foregrounds the changing character of the watercourse.
Bygdøy Peninsula
For a taste of the sea and a different set of attractions, the Bygdøy peninsula offers a pleasant waterfront walk that can be extended along side-paths as energy allows. The main line follows the shore, with frequent views and easy access to resting and swimming spots. Cultural sites and museums lie within short detours of the route, allowing a combined day of gentle hiking and visits. The ambience is relaxed and comfortable, which makes it a common recommendation for visitors looking to balance city and nature in one sweep.
Longer Treks
Krokskogen
For those with time to go a little further, Krokskogen lies beyond the city boundary and promises deeper woods with longer crossings. Peaks such as Oppkuven at 704 metres and Gyrihaugen at 682 metres give clear objectives and tie the day together, especially when combined with historical trackways that cross the forest. It is a good choice when the aim is to spend a whole day among trees and quiet lakes with a summit stop built in.
Maridalen Routes
Maridalen broadens the field with routes that combine history, a sense of space and room to lengthen a circuit. The valley's patchwork of forest and water sits on the city's edge yet can feel unexpectedly quiet due to its low population density. One option begins on the Gjøvik Railway Line at Movatn station and travels south to Skar, passing terrain that varies enough to keep the mind engaged. A poignant detail along the way is the site of a Second World War plane crash, which adds a reflective note to an otherwise bucolic day. The loop around Maridalsvannet itself runs to 12.6 kilometres and typically takes a little over three hours for an average walker, though it is often used for mountain biking and running as well. Buses from Nydalen (bus 51) bring walkers into the valley and dogs are welcome on these routes provided they remain on a lead.
More on Those Adjoining Forest Areas
Nordmarka
Spanning approximately 430 square kilometres north of Oslo, this vast forested wilderness forms part of Oslomarka, a larger conservation area covering two-thirds of the Norwegian capital. The landscape features elevated viewpoints such as Mellomkollen and Vettakollen that provide sweeping panoramas of Oslo, alongside the highest peaks of Svarttjernshøgda at 719 metres and Kirkeberget at 630 metres, the latter serving as a historically significant parachute drop site for Norwegian resistance fighters during World War II. A network of public cabins scattered throughout the forest offers places to rest, enjoy refreshments or spend the night, whilst the well-marked trail system accommodates everyone from casual walkers to seasoned adventurers. Easily accessible by public transport from central Oslo minutes, this protected natural playground embodies the Norwegian concept of friluftsliv and provides locals with an integral space for hiking, running, cycling, picnicking, skiing and sledding just a short journey from urban life. Access points include Frognerseteren (metro line 1) and Sognsvann (metro line 5).
Østmarka
To the south-east, Østmarka offers a counterpart to Nordmarka with hills and lakes that sit slightly lower but give the same impression of stepping into broadleaf and pine woodland. Entry points are spread around the edge of the forest, which encourages experimentation over several days, using different approaches to assemble a picture of the area's character. Metro line 2 to Ellingsrudåsen provides access to the northwestern corner, while line 3 serves the Nøklevann area. As with Nordmarka, waymarked routes run between lakes and tops, so days can be set to a preferred length and linked to a return by public transport.
Bærumsmarka
Located west of Nordmarka as part of the Oslomarka wilderness, this forested area (covering 70 square kilometres) offers gently rolling hills, tranquil lakes and an extensive trail network that attracts fewer visitors than its more popular neighbour. The region carries historical significance, with visible remnants of coal pits and ironworks from previous centuries scattered along various routes. Visitors can reach the area within 30 to 40 minutes from central Oslo using metro, bus or car transport, with common entry points including Øverland, Fossum and Sørkedalen. Well-marked trails throughout the forest connect to both Nordmarka and Krokskogen, providing options for brief walks and extended hiking expeditions through the quieter paths of this western forest region.
Closing Remarks
While compiling the above, I encountered some comments regarding the seasonality of these routes. My interest here is in hiking rather than winter pursuits like cross-country skiing or snowshoeing, and that is reflected in the descriptions that you find above. Also, I assume self-sufficiency here and overlook the presence of any facilities offering refreshments. There is an embarrassment of riches here by all accounts, making the previous oversights all the more remarkable. Should the opportunity arises, there is every reason not to leave Oslo on a future return to Norway. Bergen, Stavanger, Trondheim and the Lofoten Islands may have to wait.
Outdoor possibilities around Europe
12th August 2025 It is only in the past few weeks that I completed DK's Outdoor Europe, which is more of a coffee table offering than the actual way that I surveyed it: mainly by perusal on a mobile device. Now, I have moved onto the same publisher's Hike: Adventures on Foot. The act of collecting ideas for future escapades is ongoing, a somewhat pressing need after exhausting so many possibilities in the last few years. Catching up on unread copies of Wanderlust is another part of this effort; any sense of exhaustion is being negated.
One of the things that surprised me about Outdoor Europe is the number of outdoor activities that they included. Sometimes, I was asking myself is hairs were being split to increase the number. A good example is the division made between walking, hiking and trekking. To me, these are variations on a theme. The same might be said for any form of wildlife watching, and there are others like this.
Nevertheless, there is such a range of activities included that I am unlikely to try all of them. After all, adrenaline-fuelled exploits are not my lot; gentler, more experiential alternatives are what I seek, with atmosphere and sense of place mattering more to me than personal activity. Add in a span across seasons, terrains and levels of experience and everyone has choices to make.
The compilation dates from 2021, which means that geopolitical realities intrude that were not such a concern back then. That means that some suggested destinations are now off limits. These include Belovezhskaya Pushcha in Belarus (forest walking) and Optymistychna in Ukraine (spelunking), along with others in Russia: Caucasus Nature Reserve (botanising), Murmansk (ice swimming) and Mount Elbrus (climbing Europe's continental top) in Russia.
Otherwise, I thought that I would mention the remaining possibilities, at least for my own consultation. Naturally, you can check out the book itself for more detail, though it too is necessarily brief. Your planning is going to need more effort should you want to visit any of these in the future. Having the awareness of what is there remains a start, though. Here goes, then.
Quieter Appreciation
This is where the old line about stopping and staring comes into play. Slowing down to allow nature to seep into you does wonders. The stresses and strains of life become far away to enervation to transform into energisation. We have been needing to immerse ourselves in nature for eons. A comment highlighting that from the nineteenth century has become timeless.
Woodland Incursions and Wildlife Encounters
Time in forests can also be an end in itself. The Sightseeing Forest Path at Marcinkonys in Lithuania threads pine forest and raised bog with wooden walkways that keep feet dry while the landscape tells its story. Coming west, Belgium’s Sonian Forest, a large remnant of beech woodland near Brussels, demonstrates how expansive tree cover can transform sound and pace even close to a major city.
Botanical interest can guide travel choices as effectively as any summit or beach. For instance, Wengen in Switzerland places alpine meadows and high pastures within easy reach of mountain transport. In the Mediterranean, Crete in Greece supports a high proportion of endemic plants, especially in spring, when gorges and hillsides burst into flower. For those fascinated by the sight of glades of bluebells, Ashenbank Wood in England offers an accessible ancient woodland experience.
Wildlife watching remains one of the most absorbing ways to meet the seasons. Svalbard in Norway is defined by its high-Arctic encounters, from reindeer on tundra to seabird cliffs above icy fjords. In Finland, the Kainuu Forest holds brown bears and wild forest reindeer among spruce and peatland mosaics that reward patient observation. The Carpathian Mountains in Romania support large carnivores and an extensive flora, with rugged ridges and deep beech woods creating a sense of continuity. One of Europe’s primeval lowland forests, Białowieża Forest in Poland is known for European bison and an old-growth ambience that changes subtly across the year.
Birdwatching across Europe rewards patient scanning and an ear for calls. Spain’s Picos de Europa supports raptors on limestone cliffs and alpine meadows. Mykines in the Faroe Islands, Denmark, hosts breeding seabirds that crowd ledges and grassy slopes. Romania’s Danube Delta spreads a labyrinth of channels that shelter herons, pelicans and countless migrants, while Norway’s Lofoten Islands combine cliffs and skerries with ever-changing light.
Marine wildlife watching offers encounters that remain long in the memory. England’s Northumberland coast sees seals hauled out on sandbanks and seabird colonies alive with sound. Finland’s Lake Saimaa is home to the rare Saimaa ringed seal, best admired from a respectful distance in quiet bays. The Azores in Portugal provide deep-water whale watching with a long season and island scenery that fills the gaps between sightings.
Wild Wellness
Thermal waters have long offered rest after exertion. Italy’s Saturnia flows over travertine terraces with steady warmth, while Iceland’s Landmannalaugar contrasts hot streams with rhyolite hills and summer hiking. In Albania, the Bënja Thermal Baths sit in a river valley setting that pairs geothermal pools with a stone bridge and mountain views.
Mudbathing retains its old-world charm across several enchanting European locales, each offering a distinctive blend of therapeutic tradition and natural wonder. Italy's Vulcano beckons visitors with sulphurous mud pools heated by geothermal activity, while Romania's Lake Techirghiol provides a coastal sanctuary where its sapropelic mud has earned an international recognition. Along the Black Sea coast, Bulgaria's Lake Atanasovsko presents perhaps the most spectacular setting whilst simultaneously serving as a premier birdwatching destination, its hyper-saline waters turn pink from microscopic brine shrimp.
Along the shore, the age-old practice of coastal foraging invites unhurried exploration, drawing the curious wanderer to discover the edible treasures hidden in plain sight. In Argyll, Scotland's rugged peninsulas and sheltered sea lochs create a paradise where deep, nutrient-rich waters nurture an extraordinary variety of seaweeds. Moving to Ireland, Galway's dramatic coastline reveals tidal pools that conceal winkles, mussels and crabs beneath carpets of seaweed. Going east, the Oosterschelde in the Netherlands presents vast tidal flats where centuries of careful stewardship have created a unique productive marine environment.
The treasures of edible landscapes extend far beyond coastal regions, offering remarkable discoveries deep within Europe's ancient forests. In Italy's prestigious Piedmont region, autumn mists through valleys where the famed white truffles of Alba emerge. Moving northward to Sweden's vast wilderness, the tradition takes on an entirely different character through allemansrätten, the right of public access that grants everyone freedom to roam Swedish nature. Finally, Germany's mystical Black Forest continues this rich European foraging tradition, where misty atmospheres and moist soil create perfect conditions for fungi to flourish beneath towering conifers.
Nights Outdoors
For those who seek nights under canvas, wild camping options create memorable, low-impact stays. Scotland’s Cairngorms, with responsible access rights, enable respectful overnighting in a high plateau and pinewood setting. Norway’s Lofoten Islands combine beaches and peaks with long summer light, while Finland’s Archipelago National Park features islets that reward careful planning. Estonia’s Lahemaa National Park adds coastal pine forests and boulder-strewn shores, and England’s Dartmoor National Park retains designated rights that encourage Leave No Trace principles.
The aurora is another draw of the far north, inviting winter nights filled with patient sky-watching. Tromsø in Norway offers coastal weather windows and easy access to darker inland skies. Saariselkä in Finland stands under frequently clear sub-Arctic nights, while Scotland’s Moray Coast can surprise with auroral arcs when conditions align. Jökulsárlón in Iceland adds the reflective surface of an iceberg-dotted lagoon, and Abisko in Sweden enjoys a local rain shadow that often opens holes in cloudy skies.
Clear skies and careful light management create truly memorable nights under the stars, with La Palma in Spain's Canary Islands earning recognition as the world's first UNESCO Starlight Reserve in 2012. Moving north to England, Exmoor National Park employs strict lighting controls to maintain pristine conditions for Milky Way viewing, whilst Hungary's remarkable Zselic Starry Sky Park follows the same thinking. The beauty continues in Italy's rolling Tuscan hills, where isolated ridges provide wonderfully broad horizons that frame the night sky perfectly, and finally in Germany, where Westhavelland Nature Park serves as the country's first Dark Sky Park despite its proximity to major cities.
Active Exploration on Land from Trail to Rock
Many know me for cycling, not that I do it very much these days. One dalliance with mountain biking convinced me that my temperament was incompatible; downhill progress is beyond me, which affects road cycling too, and busy roads are no help either. That leaves walking and hiking, which has been a marvellous way to wander through the countryside.
Making Discoveries on Foot
For those who prefer to keep their feet on more level ground, there are walking routes that spotlight both subtle and spectacular scenery. Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia threads boardwalks among turquoise pools and tiered cascades in a way that showcases aquatic geology as much as forest quietude. In Switzerland, the Waterfall Trail brings repeated encounters with alpine torrents that draw the eye and ear alike. The Camønoen Trail in Denmark follows coastal edges and rural byways with a measured, lowland charm, while Luxembourg’s Mullerthal Trail winds through sandstone gorges and beech woods that feel a world away from urban bustle. In Wales, the Mawddach Trail uses a former railway to guide walkers along an estuary with mountain backdrops and big skies that change with the tide.
Hiking in its broader sense adds depth to any itinerary, especially when you add ascents and descents to a route. Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park in Spain scatters lakes under granite spires and offers strong waymarking. Crete’s Samariá Gorge channels walkers through dramatic narrows to the Libyan Sea. Scotland’s West Highland Way forms a rite of passage between Milngavie and Fort William, while France’s Puy de Dôme provides a shorter volcanic ascent with educational interpretation. Albania’s Accursed Mountains frame valleys and passes that are increasingly accessible yet still feel remote.
Long-distance trekking with overnight stops in mountain huts turns a journey into a rhythm. Iceland’s Laugavegur Trail joins geothermal valleys, obsidian deserts and mossy hills over a compact route that packs in variety. Sweden’s Kungsleden, the King’s Trail, is a larger undertaking with Arctic light and broad valleys. On Corsica, the GR20 becomes a serious alpine walk across a rugged spine that demands sound planning and steady feet.
Running and Rolling over Solid Ground
Running routes thread through quiet valleys and steep passes, giving trail runners both challenge and reward. The Dolomites in Italy provide airy traverses among jagged limestone towers, while Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Dinaric Alps supply remote ridgelines and karst features with limited crowds. Scotland’s Loch an Eilein pairs lochside paths with pinewoods and views to Cairngorm plateaux that invite a measured rhythm.
On roads, cycling itineraries stitch together heritage and scenery with well-planned wayfinding. The route from Amsterdam to Utrecht rides flat polder land and canal banks, with a culture of cycling that encourages steady progress. Lithuania’s Curonian Spit crosses dunes and forest between lagoon and Baltic Sea, with variable winds and open horizons. Mallorca in Spain draws riders to mountain switchbacks and coastal rollers, while Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Ciro Trail repurposes a railway corridor for a calmer, gravel-leaning journey. Ireland’s Beara Peninsula offers quiet lanes, Atlantic outlooks and the odd tough climb, rewarding patience with repeated seaward vistas.
Cycling off-road takes us to Davagh Forest in Northern Ireland, which combines flow trails with darker skies that are noteworthy in their own right. Norway’s Hafjell Bike Park blends machine-built features with alpine scenery, while Šumava in Czechia encourages longer-distance exploration on forest roads and single track. Germany’s Geisskopf Bike Park rounds things out with graded runs and a long season.
Going Vertical, Getting Close to Rock
Protected routes with fixed steel, the via ferrata, give a way into vertical terrain. In Italy, the Dolomites present historic and modern lines across soaring limestone, with ladders and cables making improbable ridges accessible to sure-footed parties. Austria’s Marokka introduces shorter, enjoyable sections ideal for building confidence, and Slovenia’s Julian Alps showcase airy traverses with views over karst and forest.
Bouldering destinations provide technical puzzles on compact outcrops. France’s Fontainebleau remains a standard-bearer, with sandstone circuits that test balance and footwork. Prilep in North Macedonia introduces coarse granite fields and open vistas, while Spain’s Albarracín sets sandstone blocs in pinewoods with an appealing spread of grades.
Climbers encounter distinct rock styles across short distances. Sicily in Italy offers limestone crags with generous winter sun and routes of varied difficulty. Germany’s Frankenjura presents pocketed limestone with a storied sport climbing history, while Poland’s Tatra Mountains provide alpine routes on granite and limestone ridges. Paklenica National Park in Croatia mixes canyon walls, traditional lines and sport routes, with the Adriatic never far from sight.
Watery Wandering
Being something of a landlubber in the outdoors, these activities are beyond my normal spectrum. Indoor swimming was done vastly more regularly than its outdoor counterpart; a foot ailment stalled both in more recent years. Brief encounters with sailing and kayaking came my way during university and school years, only never to get followed up for one reason or another.
Plunging into Wonder
Wild swimming captures the imagination through its promise of crystal-clear waters, stunning natural settings and the adventure of reaching secluded spots. On Thassos in Greece, the Giola Lagoon offers a natural rock pool with a view to the Aegean, where waves crash against the edge, occasionally spilling over, refreshing the pool with seawater. Moving north to Wales, Snowdonia holds mountain lakes and rivers that feel bracing at any time of year that reward intrepid swimmers with mountain swimming at its most dramatic. For those seeking a gentler introduction to alpine swimming, Slovenia's Lake Bled pairs a calm surface with a photogenic island and castle.
Cold-water immersion comes with its own rituals and rewards, creating a deeply personal yet universally captivating experience that transcends mere physical sensation. In Reykjavík, Iceland's capital, the tradition takes on a unique character as the city facilitates both sea and geothermal-fed dips within easy reach. Meanwhile, in Rovaniemi, Finland's Arctic circle capital, the practice often pairs a plunge with sauna in a routine that has deep cultural roots stretching back thousands of years, where the alternation between intense heat and frigid cold creates what locals describe as a profound act of balance and harmony.
For snorkellers seeking crystal-clear encounters with underwater life, Europe's shallower waters offer extraordinary diversity and visibility that rivals any tropical destination. Croatia's dramatic Makarska Riviera presents limestone coves carved by ancient seas, where the Adriatic's exceptional transparency reveals schools of sea bream as well as octopuses and starfish. Moving south to Sardinia's northeastern coast, the Marine Protected Area of Tavolara creates an underwater sanctuary where strict conservation has nurtured thriving Posidonia meadows and granite reefs. In Scotland's wilder waters, North Harris offers a compellingly different experience, where patient snorkellers are rewarded with glimpses of playful otters hunting among towering kelp forests. Finally, Spain's Medes Islands stand as a testament to decades of careful management that have created an underwater paradise where every dive feels like exploring a living museum of Mediterranean marine life.
Beneath the surface, Europe's diving sites offer adventures that range from the hauntingly beautiful to the spectacularly vibrant. In Italy's Portofino Marine Park, divers discover golden cup corals and red gorgonians adorning pristine rocky reefs whilst exploring the haunting bronze figure of Christ of the Abyss. Iceland's legendary Silfra presents a thoroughly different experience, where glacial meltwater filtered through volcanic rock for decades creates visibility exceeding 100 metres in a crystalline fissure between tectonic plates. Meanwhile, Malta's Gozo enchants with its dramatic limestone formations that include the famous Blue Hole. Finally, the Greek island of Chios combines the best of Mediterranean diving with its extensive network of underwater caverns, colourful reef walls, and remarkable biodiversity.
Paddling Along the Surface
Standing upright on a board has found its way into inland and tidal settings alike, transforming from a niche pursuit into one of Europe's fastest-growing water sports. The IJsselmeer in the Netherlands provides broad, relatively protected water that suits first strokes and longer crossings, where beginners can build confidence on this vast inland sea without battling ocean swells. Moving south along the meandering border between England and Wales, the Wye Valley combines wooded banks and gentle flows with atmospheric ruins to punctuate the journey. Further east in the heart of the Bavarian Alps, Germany's Eibsee reflects the towering Wetterstein range in its pristine surface, where calm mornings reward early starts with solitude and alpine vistas so perfect they appear almost ethereal.
Kayaking opens coastlines, rivers and lakes to quiet exploration, revealing hidden worlds where tranquil waters mirror soaring cliffs and ancient history whispers from the shores. In France, the Gardon River offers an extraordinary journey where you can paddle beneath the magnificent 2,000-year-old Pont du Gard. From these sun-warmed waters, the adventuring continues in Poland's Masurian Lakes, where over 2,000 interconnected glacial lakes stretch beneath endless skies. Surroundings narrow dramatically in North Macedonia's Matka Gorge, where towering limestone walls plunge into an artificial lake of extraordinary emerald beauty. Finally, our survey takes us to Norway's Tromsø, where sea kayakers glide among islands and fjords surrounded by snow-capped peaks.
Paddlers seeking slow, contemplative journeys discover that inland waters perfectly match a canoe's unhurried rhythm, and three destinations across Europe offer particularly enchanting experiences that blend natural beauty with rich cultural heritage. In Northern Ireland, the Lough Erne Canoe Trail weaves together a mesmerising maze of islands and tranquil bays. Moving east to the Czech Republic, the Vltava River adds the gentle thrill of current to the mix, carrying paddlers past fairy-tale river towns and medieval castles. Meanwhile, in the remote wilderness of eastern Finland, the historic Tar Route guides canoeists through an intricate network of forest lakes connected by winding passages.
Whitewater rafting transforms with each river's personality, offering adventures that shift dramatically as waters rise and fall throughout the seasons. Montenegro's legendary Tara River carves through Europe's deepest canyon at an astounding 1,300 metres, mixing foaming rapids with peaceful beach stops. Moving to Italy's magnificent Val di Sole, the Noce River earned recognition from National Geographic as one of the world's top ten rafting destinations. Meanwhile, France's reliable Dranse River near Lake Geneva offers an entirely different experience, with dam-controlled flows from hydroelectric operations ensuring consistent water levels throughout the season.
Where Land Meets Water
Moving through watercourses can take on a vertical dimension when you venture into canyoning destinations. Austria's Ötztal region showcases narrow waterways that have carved spectacular turquoise pools and abseil lines through ancient gneiss rock formations. Meanwhile, Mount Kissavos in Greece presents warm stone formations along the eastern slopes overlooking the Aegean Sea, where seasonal flows create varied descents through canyon systems like the impressive Calypso gorge that combine crystal-clear pools with Mediterranean warmth. Further south, Montenegro's Nevidio Canyon presents an altogether different experience, featuring deep gorges with sculpted walls that create a profound sense of immersion in what was Europe's last discovered canyon.
Where waves meet rock in a relentless dance of power and precision, coasteering emerges as an adventure sport that demands equal measures of courage and tide awareness. The Welsh coastline of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park did not just inspire this thrilling activity but birthed it entirely, with its dramatic sea caves, exhilarating cliff jumps and wild swimming routes that thread together some of Britain's most spectacular headlands. From these beginnings, the sport has spread to equally captivating destinations like Portugal's sun-drenched Arrábida Natural Park, where Atlantic waters lap against towering limestone cliffs just a short journey from Lisbon's bustling streets, whilst Ireland's wild Connemara coast brings its own magnetic appeal with headlands carved by Atlantic storms.
Natural Propulsion with Wave and Wind
Surf breaks pick up the Atlantic and North Sea swell along many shores. Cornwall in England ranges from gentler beach breaks to hollow reefs, while Portrush in Northern Ireland combines consistent waves with dramatic headlands. Klitmøller in Denmark, sometimes dubbed Cold Hawaii, aligns wind and sandbanks for a reliable setup, and Comporta in Portugal adds long beaches south of Lisbon with shifting banks that reward local knowledge.
Windsurfing has become far more than just another classic pursuit, transforming into a phenomenon that draws enthusiasts to some of the world's most spectacular coastal playgrounds. Sotavento Beach on Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands perfectly exemplifies this evolution, where its sandy lagoons combine with reliable trade winds to create ideal conditions for windsurfing progression and speed runs. Moving across the Mediterranean, Porto Pollo in Sardinia, Italy, offers a wholly different but equally compelling experience with its dual bays that cater to different wind directions. Perhaps most dramatically, the Dingle Peninsula in Ireland brings an entirely different character to wind sports, where the combination of Gulf Stream waters and prevailing southwesterly winds from the Atlantic Ocean creates perfect conditions.
Across Europe's dynamic coastlines, kiteboarding enthusiasts discover an extraordinary collection of spots where powerful winds transform beaches, lagoons, and bays into thrilling aerial playgrounds. Portugal's Óbidos lagoon offers ideal flat water conditions with constant yet manageable winds. Moving south to Spain's legendary wind corridor, Tarifa commands its status as Europe's kiteboarding capital, with approximately 300 days of wind annually. Along the Baltic's windswept shores, Latvia's Liepāja spreads its sandy expanse beneath consistently reliable breezes, whilst Cyprus showcases the charming village of Pissouri, where warm Mediterranean waters meet coastal hills. Finally, Germany's Sankt Peter-Ording presents one of Europe's most dramatic kiting landscapes, with its vast stretch of beach offering everything from shallow lagoons to powerful wave spots.
For wind and wave, sailing grounds beckon across latitudes, each offering its own distinctive character and challenges. Sweden's Stockholm Archipelago spreads out some 30,000 granite islets and sheltered channels where decent breezes, flat water and pleasant temperatures make for a sailor's paradise. Moving south to warmer climes, the Cyclades in Greece bring meltemi winds alongside whitewashed harbours and line-of-sight passages where the crystal-clear water of the Aegean Sea is perfect for swimming and snorkelling. Meanwhile, Split in Croatia continues this Mediterranean appeal, offering a gateway to Dalmatian islands blessed with reliable summer breezes and clear water anchorages that have made the region a favourite among charterers seeking both adventure and relaxation in equal measure.
Wintry Adventuring
Where Frozen Waterways Meet Mountain Adventures
When winter's icy embrace transforms the natural world, frozen waterways become extraordinary playgrounds that dwarf any indoor venue. Switzerland's majestic Lac de Joux exemplifies this winter magic, where mountain silhouettes and broad Alpine horizons that make the scale feel almost otherworldly. Moving eastward, Czechia's Lipno Lake offers similarly spectacular conditions, where the frozen reservoir becomes home to the world's longest skating track. Yet perhaps the most dramatic setting lies in Sweden's far north, where Luleå's archipelago creates an eight-mile circuit that loops through frozen sea ice, allowing skaters to glide between islands beneath the ethereal glow of the Arctic twilight.
When winter arrives, simple pleasures return with gravity-assisted fun, offering exhilarating escapes that combine nostalgia with pure adrenaline. Korketrekkeren in Oslo, Norway, provides a winter toboggan run through woods that is as much about atmosphere as speed. Moving across Europe to the French Alps, France's Cosmojet in Val Thorens offers a longer descent at high altitude, where adventurers board the Péclet Funitel to reach 3,000 metres before embarking on an incredible experience on a marked trail in the heart of a magnificent natural valley. Meanwhile, Leysin in Switzerland keeps the mood light with purpose-built courses and mountain views, all set against panoramic views of the Swiss Alps.
When winter transforms the landscape into an enchanting white canvas, snowshoeing unlocks hillsides that would otherwise remain impassable without skis, opening up a world of serene exploration across some of Europe's most captivating mountain regions. Austria's Tyrol beckons with its meticulously marked trails winding through snow-laden forests and sun-drenched alpine meadows, where the ascent to peaks like Feilkopf reveals breathtaking panoramic views with minimal avalanche exposure. Moving eastward to Transylvania in Romania, this mystical region drapes its ancient villages and wooded ridges with a pristine blanket of snow that muffles all sound save for the satisfying crunch beneath your snowshoes. Meanwhile, France's spectacular Mercantour National Park offers an altogether different but equally mesmerising experience, with its famous balcony trails suspended high above deep valleys carpeted with ancient larch stands.
Beyond the Beaten Piste
Snow transforms mountains into extraordinary winter playgrounds, breathing life into landscapes that attract skiers and snowboarders from across the globe. Norway's remarkable Lyngen Alps offer an unparalleled experience, where dramatic fjord-facing descents meet some of the world's most spectacular ski-touring terrain. Moving south to the heart of the Alps, Italy's extensive Via Lattea ski area creates a truly international adventure by seamlessly linking six Italian resorts with France's Montgenèvre across an impressive network of interconnected pistes that cross national borders effortlessly. In Austria's renowned Salzburg region, Saalbach-Hinterglemm has perfected the art of circuit-style through a network of modern lifts linking peaks, valleys, and charming Alpine villages, whilst Serbia's Kopaonik provides a refreshing alternative with its reliable winter conditions and notably gentler gradient profile.
Nordic trails for cross-country skiing set a different pace and pulse across the continent's most captivating landscapes. In Estonia, Otepää reigns as the country's celebrated winter capital, where the Tehvandi Sports Centre transforms into a haven for Nordic skiing enthusiasts. Meanwhile, across the continent in France's stunning Pyrenees, the Cerdagne-Capcir region emerges as a Nordic paradise, mixing plateau circuits with breathtaking mountain vistas within the heart of the Catalan Pyrenees Natural Park. Further north in Germany, Schwangau presents meticulously prepared trails winding through the districts surrounding the castles of Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau.
From Glaciated Summits to Frozen Waterfalls
Glaciated peaks and high summits form targets for mountaineers with the right skills and support. Mont Blanc in France requires careful weather judgement and a flexible approach, while Sweden’s Kebnekaise is a northern option with contrasting routes to its twin summits. Italy’s Gran Paradiso often serves as an introductory 4000er, and Spain’s Mulhacén completes the set in the Sierra Nevada with a broad summit ridge and expansive views.
Ice climbing transforms the simple act of movement into a series of calculated decisions played out against nature's most unforgiving medium. In Slovenia's Mlačca Gorge, winter creates a dependable ice climbing centre with three main waterfalls between 30 and 40 metres high. Moving northward to Norway, Rjukan's valley holds over 150 waterfalls, with a unique geography ensuring that no direct sunlight reaches the valley floor between October and March to create remarkably stable ice throughout the season. In the heart of the Swiss Alps, Kandersteg sits in the Berne Canton on the west of the Jungfrau massif and has established itself as a European ice climbing mecca.
Going Over and Under
What remains are some pursuits that feel too adventurous for me. Going underground into caves is part of that, though show caves remain a possibility. Then, there is going airborne and at speed too. The endurance of travelling in cable cars may tell you that kind of thing is not a big attraction for my nervous psyche either. These are best left to others, I reckon.
There are those who prefer to see the ground drop away beneath them. Paragliding sites like Gudauri in Georgia offer big-mountain thermals and wide alpine valleys, while Lake Annecy in France mixes reliable conditions with a scenic lake and surrounding peaks. In Ölüdeniz in Turkey, you can descend from the heights of Babadağ to a blue lagoon shoreline, blending coastal and mountain airflows into long, steady flights.
When the urge for high-speed thrills meets dramatic landscapes, ziplines deliver an unmatched rush that transforms how you experience a place. First, Croatia's Cetina Canyon offers eight exhilarating runs strung across a limestone gorge carved by the country's most water-rich river. Meanwhile, Next, Austria's Stoderzinken sends you down Europe's longest zipline above Alpine meadows and forests. Then there's Snowdonia's spectacular Velocity zipline, which goes across the deep blue waters of Penrhyn Quarry, where you fly head-first through air thick with Welsh slate-mining history.
Beneath the surface of ancient landscapes, caving opens vast windows into geological time through cathedral-like chambers and winding corridors carved by millennia of patient water. In the heart of the Pyrénées, La Pierre Saint-Martin reveals itself as one of the world's most extraordinary cave systems, where explorers discover through-trips that weave between France and Spain alongside vertical challenges that plunge into the earth's depths. Meanwhile, across the English Channel, the Yorkshire Dales present their own underground theatre, where classic limestone potholes pierce the emerald hills and rivers perform their ancient magic trick of vanishing underground only to resurge kilometres away through valleys carved by glacial meltwater.
Finding Similarity and Avoiding Overlap
Splitting out outdoor pursuits under tidy categories is not as simple as one might imagine. Speed of movement intrudes as much as location and seasonality, with even the state of matter entering the mix (think gas, liquid, solid). Some will be open to trying new things, while others already have found their niche. In many ways, I am one of the latter. Slower experiential incursions are my lot, while others prefer theirs to be more energised. There is scope for all of us and hopefully room for each just as well.
Across all these activities, there are common threads: an attention to the environment, an awareness of season and conditions, along with a willingness to move at the pace that each place suggests. They percolate into each activity in different ways, yet they are all there in some fashion. Planning with local guidance, respecting access and safety codes, and allowing space for serendipity become non-negotiable realities that keep everything enjoyable and satisfying for each of us.
Tracing footsteps in England’s eastern counties, gathering ideas for more distant escapades
19th July 2025 The summer of 2025 is quieter for me than this time last year; the main need is to get in some freelance revenue now that I have an opportunity to do so. Summertime gallivanting that happened in previous can await because other things matter more right now. Today is wet where I am writing these words, a contrast to last weekend when I pottered off to England's eastern counties seeking some respite from high temperatures.
Then, there was some strolling around Norwich that took me as far as Whitlingham Country Park before I hiked from Brandon to Thetford in advance of a brief visit to Ely. The time was short yet much could be made of what was available, though returning to Ely under brighter skies remains a possibility; Saturday grew more sunny while Sunday grew more cloudy as the respective days wore on.
Otherwise, I have returned to unread copies of Wanderlust magazine to collect ideas for future overseas escapades. My time between contracts appears to have emptied my ideas list, though the need to get revenue-earning freelancing going again cast its own shadow too. With a new start being made, there appears to be opportunity for thinking ahead again.
Online reading is all very good, but perusal of a print magazine allows things to soak in more readily, especially when some relaxation involved. Thus, prospects like hiking trails near Gothenburg or exploring Germany's medieval heartland all beckon. The upheavals on the other side of the Atlantic may pause such designs for now, maybe allowing Antipodean explorations to come to pass. Given how advanced this year is in its lifetime, collection of ideas and collation of possibilities sounds more sensible at this stage.
While last year allowed me to see much of Ireland, the concentration in the province of Munster necessarily meant that other places did not get a visit, and there is much over there. Thus, I remain a subscriber to newsletters from MountainViews. Since these can be lengthy, they can be lengthy; printing them out can be a better idea at times. In any case, here is a synopsis of the latest issue for your perusal:
July 2025 marks a poignant yet celebratory edition of the MountainViews Newsletter, a staple read for hillwalkers and hikers traversing the Irish landscape. As the newsletter unveils a new format that harmonises well with both mobile devices and traditional desktops, it simultaneously honours the legacy of the late Brendan O'Reilly, a cornerstone figure in the MountainViews community. The obituary penned in his memory captures the richness of his contributions, illustrating a man whose passion for hillwalking defied the challenges of gruelling weather and punishing terrains. Brendan's journey of summit bagging, which led him to be the first to complete the Arderin list, is remembered not just for the peaks scaled but for the modesty with which he celebrated his adventures.
In tandem with this tribute, the newsletter also delivers an array of content aimed at invigorating the hiking community. Readers are treated to evocative photo essays that capture the majestic scenery from Ireland's summits, as well as those further afield in places like Patagonia and Spain. Journal entries guide enthusiasts through recent explorations, with highlights on the grandeur of Kippure in Dublin and a deep dive into Welsh County Highpoints, which promise rewarding challenges for those eager to venture beyond familiar terrains.
In true MountainViews spirit, the newsletter extends an invitation for suggestions and volunteer involvement, signifying a collective aim to enhance the quality of its offerings. Sprinkled throughout are engaging accounts detailing both local and international hillwalking exploits. From vivid recollections of a mystical trek in Donegal made remarkable by dry boots and blue skies, to an enticing glimpse into Welsh County Highpoints like Moel Sych and Holyhead Mountain, these stories illustrate hillwalking’s profound capacity to connect us with nature and with each other.
The edition does not shy away from addressing practicalities, touching on the intricacies of accessing some of the more secluded Irish treasures. Its discourse spans experience-based advisories on navigating challenging terrains such as Knocknagussy’s southern face or venturing to the isolated Cullinmore via a scenic Galway route. Such articles underline the newsletter's commitment to being an invaluable resource, combining anecdotal wisdom with meticulous factual detail.
For those with a penchant for exploring, the newsletter lists challenge walks for 2025, detailing both the triumphs of events like the Galtee Challenge and forthcoming commitments such as the Joyce Country Challenge. Meanwhile, video content from seasoned hillwalkers like Peter Nevin offers viewers secondhand adrenaline from treks in remote Scottish landscapes.
Adhering to a dynamic and authoritative tone, MountainViews continues to serve as a bastion of inspiration and information for its readership. As it adapts to new technological platforms, it remains steadfast in its mission to foster a community relieved in sharing the beauty of hillwalking, the personal stories of its adventurers, and the power that comes from understanding and appreciating the natural world. Whether honouring past contributors or preparing for future adventures, this edition of the newsletter stands as a testament to both continuity and change in the ever-evolving landscape of hillwalking in Ireland and beyond.
The above punctuates a life that is otherwise oriented for now. Nevertheless, the act of reaching for pen and paper while seeking new places to explore seems opportune.
Frantic: When life’s vicissitudes collide with getting away for a long weekend
3rd May 2025 The past week has been hectic for me, hence the title. However, the result of my exertions was an offer for my freelance services that clashed with another opportunity that came to nothing. The offer was accepted despite warnings that it could be rescinded. The coming week will show whether that was a bluff or not.
All this was happening during the first real sign of heat that we experienced this year; the hot, sunny weather was a foretaste of summer. There were local strolls in the midst of the frenzy, a necessity for keeping my mind in order throughout all of it. My mind even turned to a Scottish incursion centred on Inverness that would have allowed a visit to Fionn Bheinn near Achnasheen as well as a stroll from Drumnadrochit back to Inverness along part of the Great Glen Way.
However, there was too much happening to allow the getaway to become a reality. A hotel booking was cancelled after learning that the weather was not as enticing as I might have desired during a sequence of simplification. Having the prospects for another time will do no harm, though. Ideas are not so plentiful in my head as I write these words, anyway.
Business is set to return me to Geneva for a conference, which will be handy for getting to see the place again. The initial motivation for all of this was making connections for securing freelance work as well as building up my knowledge. Some of that may be less pressing after the past week, though it will be good to get out among colleagues again. Wandering the city in pleasant sunshine will be a bonus too.
These are times when being a solopreneur can be isolating, especially when trying to source work in a challenging market. Thus, it is just as well that the wonders of nature at springtime offer much needed solace and consolation. While my wanderings may be curtailed this year, any such encounter only spurs desire for deeper incursions. There may be time for those later.
