The best places for adventure in Europe

We've put together a list of some of Europe's top destinations for an action-packed trip.

For people who love action, adventure and being active outdoors, like you (our readers), travel means getting the adrenaline pumping on a rugged mountainside or 50 feet below the ocean surface. Others search for snowy peaks and alpine lakes simply for something a bit different from their day-to-day. Using our knowledge on outdoor adventure in Europe, we've put together a list of some of Europe's top destinations for an action-packed trip. Be sure to let us know your favourite in the comments below.

Chamonix, French Alps

Chamonix below from 3,842 m on the Col du Midi.

Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, more commonly called Chamonix, sits 995 m/3,264 ft high in the French Alps. One of the oldest ski resorts in France, it held the very first Winter Olympics in 1924 and is known as the 'gateway to the European Cascades'.

A quick walk through the streets of this high-altitude town will reveal an outdoor paradise. You'll hear languages from every corner of the globe and see historical mountaineering scenes painted on the walls of the beautiful alpine buildings. But the town is not the main attraction, simply a base for mountaineers and hikers looking to venture up into the surrounding peaks.

Mont Blanc—4,810 m/15,781 ft of rock, snow, ice and dreams rises high above the town and is what draws people to the heart of the alps. Whether it's to actually summit the peak or hike the surrounding trails, people who come to this 'summit meeting' share the same way of thinking, the same love for mountaineering, its legends and its ethics.

Mountaineering and Hiking

Mont Blanc—4,810 m of rock, snow, ice and dreams rises high above the town.

For experienced mountaineers, submitting Mont Blanc may be the goal of a trip to Chamonix. The most popular route is the 'Voie Royale'. The starting point at Nid d'Aigle can be reached by taking the Tramway du Mont-Blanc—a rack and adhesion mountain railway. The ascent, from there, leads through the Goûter Corridor, considered dangerous because of frequent rock-falls.

Mountaineers traversing the arête from the Col Du Midi onto a high-altitude plateau ready for the ascent of Mont Blanc.

Another popular route, 'La Traversée', starts by taking the Téléphérique de l'Aiguille du Midi—the highest vertical ascent cable car in the world, from the town to Col du Midi (3,842 m/12,605 ft). An exposed arête is used as an access point from the top station to a plateau, used as a base camp to acclimatise before starting the actual accent.

Most mountain-goers don't ascend Mont Blanc as it's a very serious undertaking only suitable for experienced mountaineers with snow/ice climbing gear. However a trip up to high-altitude via the Tramway du Mont-Blanc or Téléphérique de l'Aiguille du Midi is a must and enables quick access to breathtaking snow-covered mountain scenery all-year-round.

Alpine Ibex spotted at approximately 2200 m on a hike from the Bellevue plateau.

Hikers are spoiled for choice. However, a great route that is particularly sited for an acclimatisation day, is a trek up to Bellevue plateau (1800 m/5,906 ft) from Les Houches—just a short journey down the valley from Chamonix. You can also take the Bellevue cable car up to the plateau for access to many more hiking trails, all with awesome views under the shadow of Mont Blanc.

The Tour du Mont Blanc has to be the highlight of any hiking trip to Chamonix. It's one of the most popular long-distance treks in Europe, circling Mont Blanc on a 170 km/110 mi route with 10 km/6.2 mi of elevation change. The route passes through parts of Switzerland, Italy as well as France—showcasing the most epic scenery that the alps has to offer. One of the most magical aspects of this trek though, is the people you will meet on the way—from seasoned hikers to families with young adventurers.

You can also mountain bike most of the trail, as Specialized Bicycles athlete Matt Hunter documented in the below video:

Rock Climbing and Via ferrata

Whether you're an experienced or beginner climber, there are plenty of trad. pitches available to suit, from superb mountain routes, prestigious north faces or more accessible bolted climbs. If bouldering is more your thing however, then Chamonix has you covered as well.

Via ferratas offer further climbing adventure and there are many routes available near Chamonix. These are pre-build routes, with added man-made hand and foot holds and a steel cable running along the route as a safety anchor point for the climber. Via ferratas are great for beginner climbers, since they allow easier access to some exposed rock faces safely, but are also a blast for experienced climbers, with harder routes available.

Mountain Biking

As mountain biking grows in popularity, more and more dedicated trails are appearing along the Chamonix Valley. The Vallorcine BikePark (up the valley from Chamonix), the relatively new (at the time of writing) Chamonix BikePark and the down valley Les Houches BikePark are amongst the best.

Having fun on a drop-off at the Les Houches BikePark.

I would personally recommend the Les Houches BikePark, which is accessible from the Bellevue cable car. This park is one the of the most well-rounded parks in the valley with a small slope-style course at the top and a variety of trails, to suit every level on the way down. Blue trials are suitable for beginner riders, though you will need to be fit and prepared to take a few falls. These a spiced-up with a few optional red and black north-shore style features as well as red and black routes that will challenge more experienced downhill riders.

Check out the below video for an overview of one of the tracks:

Paragliding

Want to fly like a bird, rise above the mountains, soar with eagles? Paragliding will let you do all this and Chamonix is becoming a go-to destination to learn the 'magic' of free flight. Mieusey, 50 km/31 mi west of Chamonix, even lays claim to the birth of the sport in 1974.

If you're a beginner then there are plenty of opportunities to take a tandem flight with a qualified pilot or lessons with a paragliding school. If you're already a pro pilot then there are a variety of purpose built take-off points accessible by car or cable car. One that I would recommend is situated at the very end of the Chamonix valley with excellent views of the mountain road below.

Skiing and Snowboarding

Skiing Chamonix. Photo: Blaise Ulysse Vincent Verien (Flickr)

Being the birth place of the Winter Olympics, it's no surprise that the Chamonix valley has some excellent ski resorts and ski runs during the winter. Chamonix offers a multitude of slopes for all levels, each ski area having its own merit. From tremendously long slopes, skiing through the trees, freeride and off-piste, to beginners slopes—there are an infinite number of possibilities for snowriders and mountain lovers alike.

One of the most impressive ski areas has to be the 'Grands Montets', however. Situated next to a glacier, between the altitudes of 1235 m/4052 ft and 3300 m/10,827 ft, the 'Grands Montets' features some of the greatest ski-run height losses in the world. The pistes are spread over three slopes - the Argentière glacier, Lognan and the Pendant, known throughout the freeride skiing world for its magnificent off-piste. For freestyle riders there is also a snowpark and boardercross upgraded every year. The quality of the snow coverage is also remarkable up until May, meaning a very long season.

Other Excursions and Adventure Activities

If you want a quick break from traditional mountain sports but still need an adrenaline kick, then Chamonix's adventure park is for you. One of the first woodland high ropes parks, a variety of courses (set at different levels) combines tree climbing with zip-lining and even a pretty rad luge track. Perfect for an afternoon off of the mountain.

Ålesund, Norway

Ålesund is a beautiful space and the outdoor capital of Norway. Photo: Andrés Nieto Porras (Flickr)

Spread over seven islands, Ålesund is known as the 'Adventure Capital of the Fjords' and is a great launch pad to explore them. The town was recently voted the most beautiful town in Norway and is a great starting point for round trips to some of the country's most spectacular sights. "Watch out Chamonix, Norway is fast becoming Europe’s new home for all things action!"

It's easy to see why Norway is fast becoming a go-to adventure destination. Check out this awesome time-lapse film below:

Boat and Helicopter Adventures

Photo: Helitours (Instagram)

If you're after a relaxed adventure through the Fjords, then a cruise may be for you; Ålesund 's ‘Cruise Terminal’ allows for cruise ships of all sizes to be docked in the very centre of the town. Those looking for more adrenaline should check out 'Outfitter 62 Nord', who arrange coastal excursions in souped-up Zodiac power boats. Alternatively, if you have the budget, you can take to the sky for a 30 minute tour of the surrounding islands and mountain-ranges in a helicopter tour.

Mountaineering and Hiking

On land, there are plenty of adventures to be had. High on the to-do-list will be an ascent of Mount Aksla to the Fjellstua vantage point. At the top, there are stunning views across Ålesund, the surrounding islands, the fjords and the Sunnmøre Alps.

Another option is the 'Trolls’ Path Road', offering a day-long hike with a bit of a twist. The area that the trail covers is known as the 'district of trolls and fairytales', and from the wild mountains, roaring waterfalls and peaceful nature on this round trip it's easy to see why.

An Ascent of the Sukkertoppen Mountain will appeal to more experienced mountaineers. From here you can view a never ending range of majestic snow-capped mountain ranges all-year-round.

Mountain Biking

Ålesund is situated at the heart of Norway’s freeride mountain bike scene, with trails beginning outside of town and spreading to the nearby Sunnmøre Alps. Bike rental is available in a number of locations to suit. Check out the below video exploring some of the Sunnmøre Alps' freeride trails:

Heading to nearby Geiranger is also a good shout for mountain bikers. Here bikes can be rented at the Kragset Marina adventure resort and there are a number of guided tours available. A 2-day weekend tour is great for serious adventurers, but if you're looking for something a little easier the 'Sky to Fjord' downhill biking tour will be perfect. The route is mostly easy downhill that can either be undertaken in early summer, with snow along the road, or later, when the mountain flowers are blossoming.

Nature and Wildlife

Norway is teaming with awesome wildlife for nature lovers to enjoy and Ålesund has a number of cool wildlife attractions that highlight this. The Bird Sanctuary on Runde Island, can be reached easily by boat and is home to more than half a million birds of about 230 different species! The town also offers a sea safari along the surrounding coastline in a high-speed open RIB boat. This trip normally includes a visit to a small seal colony as well as Runde’s famous bird cliff (not the sanctuary itself). For calmer waters fjord rafting is even possible, enabling a closer experience with Norway's marine wildlife.

Skiing, Snowboarding and other Winter Sports

In the winter, Norway turns into a winter wonderland and there are loads of opportunities to get active with some winter sports.

Ørskogfjellet Ski Centre is a family friendly ski resort closely situated to Ålesund and has a very good reputation for beginners. More experienced skiers and snowboarders may take to the Stranda Ski Resort, higher up in the Sunnmore Alps. Here, there are a large range of downhill runs of various difficulties, a terrain park and perhaps the best off-piste opportunities in the area. Cross-Country enthusiasts can also enjoy 15 km/9 mi of groomed XC track and off-the-track snow-trails.

For people looking to get into the wild, there are also a number of adventure companies offering both guided ski touring and offpiste adventure.

Dog sledding is a unique snowy adventure. Photo: m.prinke (Flickr)

Finally, if you're looking for a completely unique winter adventure experience, then check out dog sledding, but you will have to travel further north than Ålesund to seek out the best locations. Finnmark is the most popular dog sledding area; this far north in winter you will find a white desert stretching as far as the eye can see, and only stars above your head (or the northern lights should you be lucky) courtesy of the long Arctic night. Most of the dog sledding tours here are actually offered by local people, rather than specific adventure companies, so it's quite an intimate adventure.

Other Excursions and Adventure Activities

Ålesund is a perfect location for many different action sports, not just the ones listed above. Highlights include, sea kayaking and sailing, as well as rock climbing. A canyoning center can also be found near Ålesund, at Gudbrandsjuvet. Canyoning is great fun; cayoners make their way down a river bed or canyon by jumping into pools, sliding down natural river slides and scrambling across rock obstacles.

Diving is also popular, with the coast of Sunnmøre praised as a fantastic diving spot. Here, the currents in the coastal landscape pump in nutritious water from the Atlantic Ocean, nurturing an exciting underwater world with kelp forests, coral reefs and large shoals of fish. It's worth noting that this underwater world can also be accessed, simply with a good set of fins and snorkelling gear, which is great if you're not keen on a full dive.

Fort William, Scottish Highlands

Ben Nevis, The Nevis Range and the Highlands beyond. Photo: John Brennan (Flickr)

Fort William is known as the ‘Outdoor Capital of the UK’ and so it was always going to make this list.

The town's dramatic setting, on the shore of Loch Linnhe, and under the mighty hulk of Britain’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis makes Fort William one of the best adventure resorts in the British Isles.

Mountaineering and Hiking

High on any mountaineers list for a trip to Scotland, is an ascent of Ben Nevis, rising at 1,344 m/4,408 ft above sea level. Unusually for a mountain in Scotland it features the ruins of an observatory building, which was permanently staffed from 1883 until it's closure in 1904.

There are a variety of routes to top of the mountain, with varying terrain to suit all levels of climber. The most popular track to the summit was commonly referred to as the 'Tourist Route' or the 'Pony Track'— it is in fact the old access route to the now ruined Observatory and was designed as a rough bridle path for ponies.

From 2004 it was renamed as the 'Mountain Track', in order to move away from what was considered a misleading title. The route to the top of the mountain experiences arguably the fiercest mountain weather conditions in Scotland and therefore, while the 'Mountain Track' is the simplest route to the summit, it can still be a very challenging hike with varying terrain and exposure. Hikers need to be fit and competent to reach the top.

Climbing Ben Nevis in the winter can be a real challenge for experienced mountaineers. Photo: Masa Sakano

For more experienced mountaineers, a different route starting at Torlundy—a few miles north-east of Fort William—can provide a greater challenge. The route takes you up a very steep ascent of Carn Dearg Meadhonach before a much less exhausting slope leads to Carn Mòr Dearg (Scotland's 9th highest munro) and then continues steeply to the summit of Ben Nevis itself.

Mountain Biking

There are so many awesome bike trails available in the highlands just waiting to be explored, but the Nevis Range BikePark offers some of the most well known, challenging and well-maintained trails around. Like Leogang (also featured in this list), Nevis Range hosts the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup every year.

The Nevis Range gondala—the only one in the UK. Photo: Red Bull Content Pool

A gondola takes bikers 610 m/2,000  ft up the mountain for access to two downhill tracks. The star of the show is the orange (extreme) graded 'Off Beat' downhill track. It's very long and challenging, with a vertical drop of 525 m/1,722 ft and a length of 2.66 km/1.65 mi—pro riders take four to five minutes but 30 minutes can be expected if you take it steady. Fast and Rocky is the best description of the course as it descends down off Aonach Mor. Big Rocky straights, bus stops, tight bermed corners, rock gardens, exposed hillside, slab rock, forest singletrack, tight gullies and big jumps all feature before riders drop down the wall and into the finish. Although it's an expert level track, best tackled on a downhill bike, it can provide a challenge to any rider with intermediate skills on a good full suspension mountain bike.

Rachel Atherton blasting her home track—the Fort William 'Off-Beat' Orange (extreme). Photo: Red Bull Content Pool

The 'XC red' trail offers an intermediate descent for riders who want a break from the full downhill or who are building up there technical skills. It's a blast, starting at the same altitude at the orange (extreme) track. The 5.5km/3.4 mi trail winds its way across Aonach Mor's awesome mountainscape. Crossing the downhill track, you then join the forest road, cutting back onto the 'puggy line' towards the bottom.

For beginner downhillers, the Nevis Range BikePark recently updated their trail offerings, adding the green 'Cats Eyes' and blue 'Blue Adder' descents. The tracks also have a few jump routes (opened this year-2015) and are lightly bermed at the top, meaning even seasoned riders can get a lot out of the trail. As you would expect from a World Cup stage, the Nevis Range centre has great facilities, including bike hire and school.

Check out the video below, illustrating the challenge that the Fort William DH track provides for the World Cup pro riders:

Skiing and Snowboarding

The Nevis Range Ski and Snowboard center is the best place to shred snow in the winter. Thanks to its 12 lifts, including Scotland 's only mountain gondola (used in the summer for access to the mountain bike tracks) access to the slopes is easy.

The Nevis Range offers some great off piste during the winter ski season. Photo: James Robertson (Flickr)

As with mountain biking, there are options for all abilities. The beginner's area is literally a stone throw away from the top station, with a variety of easy green and blue runs for you to gain your confidence and skills on. The runs are predominately wide and open with some challenging blue and red runs in the main bowl for intermediates as well as extensive off-piste black and red runs for the more experienced.

Nature and Wildlife

The gorgeous mountain landscapes and seascapes around Fort William offers an extensive range of habitats for a spectacular range of wildlife. From summit to sea, wildlife lovers can spot creatures such as the Golden Eagle, Red Deer and Common Seal. An annual 'Wild Lochaber' wildlife festival also takes place each year to showcase the fabulous environment of the surrounding area. A range of wildlife adventure activities are on offer including Wildlife Cruises, Red Deer Safaris and Rock Safaris.

Watching red deer in the rutting season is awesome. Photo: ddh Photos (Flickr)

Britain’s largest land mammal, the Red Deer is most naturalists' favourite . Although these are present all year round, they are most likely to be seen in the winter months as they move to lower ground to graze. It is an especially fantastic time to view these mammals late September and into October as the rutting season begins.

Other Excursions and Adventure Activities

Aside from Mountain Biking and Skiing, Fort William offers a whole bunch of adventure activities, from a high ropes course to a tube slide. In recent years the Nevis Range has become a popular destination for paragliders and hangliders as well. The gondola offers a quick access to a take-off altitude of 650m/2133 ft from either the Sgurr Finnisg-aig or Meall Beag viewpoints.

Snowdonia, Wales

The Snowdon Ranger Path. Photo: Scott Wylie (Flickr)

Snowdonia National Park is home to the biggest mountain in Wales and England, Snowdon (1,085 m/3,560 ft), and while it doesn't have the 'Outdoor capital' name that Fort William carries, the area is just as extreme. Snowdonia has a little trick up its sleeve as well; the recent 'Surf Snowdonia Wavegarden' project makes the National Park a unique and beautiful location for adventurers who want to surf as well has hit the mountain, and it's on this list because of this unique combination.

Mountaineering and Hiking

This is what most adventurers traditional travel to Snowdonia for. Tackling a route towards the summit of Snowdon is a must for any trip. While The Pyg trail is the easiest and shortest way to the top, if you are more experienced, a grade 1 scramble along the Crib Goch route will sure get your adrenaline pumping.

The route starts with a steep scramble up to a pyramidal peak and the start of Crib Goch, a knife edge Arête leading along a horseshoe towards the peak. The scramble up to Crib Goch is challenging but there is no need for a rope—though this can be useful to reassure a less experienced mountaineer. Along the Arête itself, the exposure level is severe with steep drop-offs on both sides, leading to a scree-slope on the right. The highlight of the route, is the exposed chimney climb towards the end of Arête. While a relatively simple climb, the high exposure level will definitely give you an adrenaline rush.

Check out Trail Magazines recent feature on the route below:

Surfing

Snowdonia is located closely to the coast and therefore there are number of surfing beaches nearby, offering fun summer waves and more powerful winter swells. However the new 'Surf Snowdonia Wavegarden' changes the game completely—offering world class waves 365 days a year.

The new Wavegarden will provide perfect waves every day and the best long range forecast North Wales will likely ever see. Photo: Screenshot from video

Opening this summer, Surf Snowdonia will feature a world first for artificial surf technology and promises a scaled-up version of 'The Wavegarden' (tested in Spain). While you will have to pay to surf here, it won’t be very expensive and what you get in return is magical. Of course, other artificial waves already exist but they aren’t desirable in terms of the punch surfers seek. The slow mushy sections, created by Wavegarden’s predecessors will be replaced by the best long range surf forecasts North Wales, and the UK is ever likely to see.

Mountain Biking

Snowdonia has a great selection of mountain bike trails available to ride. The Mawddach Trail, which is a 9 mile stretch from Dolgellau to Morfa Mawddach, is probably the most popular cross country routes, but there are numerous technical downhill docents in the area.

Trials bike legend Martyn Ashton, recently shot a short film in Snowdonia documenting his journey back onto a mountain bike after his accident that left him paralyzed from the waist down. It's an inspirational watch but also showcases some of the best flowy single-to-double track that Snowdonia has to offer.

Leogang, Austrian Alps

Leogang is situated in the Austrian Alps, close to the adventure lake town of Zell Am See. Photo: Cristian Bortes (Flickr)

Nestled in the Austrian Alps, near the adventure lake town of Zell am See, Leogang is a typical small mountain village with a population of just 3,000. While it offers great alpine hiking, it makes it to this list for one reason— BikePark Leogang. If you're a fan of mountain biking, particularly downhill, then you will recognise the BikePark from its spot on the UCI Downhill World Cup, alongside Fort William (also featured on this list).

Earlier this season Aaron Gwin took the win, even after his chain snapped out of the gates. Check out the video below showing his run and an overview of the black World Cup track, from personal experience I can say that's it's a challenging track to ride.

Downhill Mountain Biking

So if you're going to Leogang in the summer it's going to be for downhill mountain biking; BikePark Leogang is probably the best place for downhill in Europe.

Looking down at one of the best bike parks in the world—BikePark Leogang. Photo: ravas51 (Flickr)

Chairlifts with dedicated bike stands take you up from the car park straight to the mountain top, with a drop-off point halfway up for the World Cup and other track start gates. Heading down, there are so many tracks to choose from, nine in total, with blue lines available for all abilities.

'HangMan 2' is a track suitable to beginner riders; it's a nice, easy going trail where you can test your skills before you try the freeride or downhill. 'HangMan 1' is a lot more technical, but if you're up to the challenge, it can be a mad singletrack descent. There's a particularly steep and flowy set of switchbacks on the main ski-run, that's lightly bermed and can be really fun if you take the right line.

The 'FlyingGangster' is an absolute blast to ride and is designed as an intermediate freeride track. 2.5 km/1.5 mi of gravel trail, packed with numerous step ups and step downs, sharp curves, moguls, tables and tunnels, provide the ultimate freerider feeling.

Of course no trip to the BikePark would be complete without a descent down the 'Speedster' Downhill World Cup course. Combining steep slopes in a fault line, root carpets, tight turns and fast passages and sections of the freeride trail, this track is fast, furious and tough. However, if you are a capable mountain biker you should be able to get down it (you might want to bypass a couple of the gnarlier obstacles though). Check out a POV track run below:

At the bottom, there's also a rad four cross/slopestyle track with plenty of fun to be had, as well as a bag jump and a mini BikePark for young riders to start their mountain biking adventures on. Facilities are top class, as you would expect for a World Cup location, including camping, showers and a dedicated bike school and hire/repair center.

Hiking and XC Mountain Biking

Downhill mountain biking is not the only summer adventure to be had at Leogang. Taking the cable car to the top, reveals a breathtaking horseshoe hiking route, that many people also chose to ride on an XC mountain bike. If biking, you can also take the green downhill track back down, which is relaxed enough to be ridden on a good XC hardtail. Or if you're hiking—opt for the luge to the bottom of the mountain.

Skiing and Snowboarding

When the winter snow comes, Leogang turns from a mountain biking paradise to a snowsports wonderland. The main attraction is the Saalbach-Hinterglemm Skicircus, Austria's largest directly contiguous skiing area, with a total of more than 400 km/249 mi of slopes. These include a range of terrains and difficulties, from gentle slopes and wide carving slopes to the steep black World Cup descent. Hardcore skiers can have fun on ungroomed slopes and moguls, and freestyle riders are able to practice tricks on the maintained snowparks.

Gipfelwelt 3000—a rad balcony stretching out over the Austrian Alps at an altitude of over 3000 m. Photo: http://www.kitzsteinhorn.at/

Contrary to popular believe, Austria actually boasts some of the highest ski resorts in Europe, meaning a super long ski season. Of these high altitude resorts, Sölden has to be one the best— located near the end of the Ötz valley, close to Leogang. The ski season here stops as late as June and restarts (weather permitting) from early September on one or other of two glaciers. Sölden is also where many Austrian national teams train for the upcoming World Cup season and where some ski instructor courses are held. In the summer take the cable cars to the top of the Kitzsteinhorn (3,029 m/9,938 ft) for a spot of tobogganing on the snow (yep there's even snow up there in August!) There's also a rad balcony at the very top (called the 'Gipfelwelt 3000') with astonishing views across the Austrian Alps.

Other Excursions and Adventure Activities

If mountain biking is not you're thing but you're still looking to get down a mountain fast then check out the Miederer Alpine Coaster in the Stubai Valley. This fast-paced single-rail alpine  coaster is the steepest in Europe. With a height difference of 640 m/2100 ft and a total length of 2.8 km/1.7 mi, you can actually reach a speed of 42 kmph/26 mph.

This video of a 'no brakes' ride actually went viral a few years ago and is now linked up to the mountain resort's official website because it was so popular.

Devon and Cornwall Coast, South West UK

The action sports haven of South West England features some of the most dramatic and beautiful coastline in the whole of Europe. While there are lots of options for mountain biking and climbing, surfing is where Devon and Cornwall really shines.

Surfing, BodyBoarding and SUPing

For more than 40 years, Cornwall and Devon has been known as the home to British surfing with Newquay in particular the breeding ground for national and international champions. Now, it's beginning to become recognised as one of the best places to surf across Europe, with many inland river surfers making the trip for their first taste of ocean swell.

Sunset after a surf at Woolacombe.

The waves which pound the South West coastline are created by deep Atlantic low pressure systems which unleash their powerful swells eastwards creating some of the best surfing conditions in Europe. There are lots of different coves facing north, west or south, so you can always find a spot which is pumping. In the summer, waves are fun (reaching 6 ft/1.8 m at times) and when the winter comes the ocean can be pumping 20 plus feet/7 + m. In the winter some of the south or north facing coves come into their own, by taking the edge off of the swell and cleaning up the wave face.

Photo from Flickr (localsurfer).

In terms of variety of waves, together, the Devon and Cornwall coast has it all. Classic beach breaks can be found all along the north coast with some of the most well known spots being Fistral, Perranporth and Crooklets. Steep A-frame barrels, typically sort after in Hawaii, can even be found kicking in around the far westerly points when conditions are right. Woolacombe and Croyde, further up the coast, offer a surprising range of surf-types. From classic beach breaks to point and even reef breaks—it's no wonder that Woolacombe has been named a top-five beach in Europe.

Rock Climbing

The Cornish cliffs offer some of the best sea cliff climbing in the world. Photo: Masa Sakano

There are some great locations across South West UK for rock climbing. Traditional pitches can be found on both Dartmoor and Bodmin Moor, with the former providing more challenging climbs. If you able to travel a few miles north east, then Cheddar Gorge offers some very popular bolted pitches. However, the dramatic vertical cliffs of the coastline provide some of the best sea cliff climbing you'll find in the world. It's a great experience, with the sea crashing against the rocks beneath you it really does give it a more adventurous feel.

Hiking

While there's no real mountaineering to speak of in this area, Dartmoor offers some seriously tough trekking, highlighted by the fact that the UK army trains there. If you're an experienced hiker, a weekend expedition across the moor and a night's wild camping is a great challenge.

The South West Coast path is a must for long-distance hikers. One of the UK's longest waymarked long-distance trails, it stretches for 1,014 km / 630 mi, running from Minehead in Somerset, along the coasts of Devon and Cornwall, to Poole Harbour in Dorset.

Other Excursions and Adventure Activities

There are so many adventure sports and activities to do in this area, that it would take a whole post to write about them, however here are some highlights. The coastline lends itself to sea kayaking, a great opportunity to get close to some of the South West's wildlife—anything from the common grey seal to basking sharks can be spotted off the coast. Large sandy beaches and strong winds from the ocean also make ideal conditions for power and traction kiting (either on a board or buggy).

Other Adventure Destinations in Europe (WildCards)

Andorra, Pyrenees

Andorra is nestled high in the Pyrenees between France and Spain. Photo: markeff66
(Flickr)

Andorra is a small Principality in the middle of the Pyrenees mountain range. Due to its high-altitude location, Andorra is famous for its winter sports. There are a few great ski resorts to chose from, with varying ski-run grades to suit first-time skier/snowboarders to black downhill pros. Andorra  is also a great place to explore with a winter heli-ski excursion and there are even opportunities to try some 'far-out' winter sports like scuba diving under the ice (you'll need a 7mm wetsuit for this though).

In the summer the country offers a great base for any type of mountain sport and adventure you can think of; like climbing, hiking, BTT excursions or canyoning. It also makes a great base camp for a multi-day expedition across the French and Spanish sides of the Pyrenees.

Munich, Germany

A landlocked city in the middle of Germany may be the last place you would think of going for a surfing adventure, but Munich has a thriving surf culture and can actually be considered a surfing hotspot. This is due to a number of high-quality river standing waves, throughout the city, that make for great, consistent surfing. So while many Munich locals head to South West UK in search of ocean waves, a river surfing trip may be a cool experience for someone who is used to surfing salty swell.

The Eisbach is probably the most famous river surfing location in the world; it's an artificial stream that runs through the Eisbach Garden, Munich's largest public park. The surf wave is located at the southern edge of the park, about 1 m/3 ft high and about 12 m wide. The flow is fast and the flow-breaking rocks are very dangerous. There have been quite a few serious injuries here so beginners are strongly encouraged to stay well clear.

Check out this great video showing some of the locals shredding the Eisbach:

In contrast, the Floßlände is a wave on the canal that joins the Isarkanal with the Floßlände. The wave is about half a meter high making it more suitable for beginners. Since 2004 there has also been an annual surf competition at this wave.

Nazaré, Portugal

 

Portugal has some great surf sports along its west coast, hosting the WCT Rip Curl Pro every year. Nazaré has to be one of the most famous though, due to the hype in big-wave surfing over the last few years. Nazaré provides pumping conditions all-year-round and when it's producing monsters in the winter, the lighthouse provides a great view-point to watch some of the pros chasing the top XXL prize.

Cortina d'Ampezzo, Dolomites (Italian Alps)

A via ferrata bridge near breathtaking Cortina d'Ampezzo in the Dolomites (Italian Alps). Photo: Maurice Koop (Flickr)

With the dramatic peaks of the Dolomites rising in every direction, the ski areas around Cortina have been called the most beautiful in the world.

The most upscale resort in Italy, 'Corso Italia', is packed with furriers, designer boutiques, and Italians with sunglasses that cost more than most skis. The good news for skiers and snowboarders is that most people here are more interested in socializing than actually skiing and snowboarding, so the slopes aren’t crowded—at least by European standards.

In the summer, the Dolomites offer fantastic hiking, climbing and Via ferrata routes, as well as opportunities for a range of other mountain sports.

Top Adventure Spots

Best place for Mountaineering and Hiking: 1st - Chamonix, 2nd - Fort William, 3rd - Snowdonia

Best place for Mountain Biking: 1st - Leogang, 2nd - Fort William, 3rd Chamonix

Best place for Rock Climbing: 1st - Chamonix, 2nd - Andorra, 3rd - Devon and Cornwall

Best place for Skiing and Snowboarding: 1st - Chamonix, 2nd - Leogang, 3rd - Ålesund

Best place for Paragliding: 1st - Chamonix, 2nd - Fort William, 3rd - Ålesund

Best place for Surfing: 1st - Devon and Cornwall, 2nd - Nazaré, Portugal, 3rd - Snowdonia

Best place for Nature and Wildlife: 1st - Ålesund, 2nd - Fort William, 3rd - Devon and Cornwall

Best place for Unique Adventure: 1st: Ålesund, 2nd - Snowdonia, 3rd - Devon and Cornwall

Overall: 1st - Chamonix, 2nd - Fort William, 3rd - Ålesund

We hope you enjoyed this run through of some of the best places for adventure in Europe. Maybe you've even got an idea for your next trip or are inspired to try a new action sport on offer.

For more great adventure destinations and activities, check out this article on extreme adventures.

If you've got a favourite adventure spot from Europe or elsewhere in the world, please share it with us in the comments below.

You can also find this post on my website at: adaptnetwork.com/the-best-places-for-adventure-in-europe

---

---

Website: adaptnetwork.com
Steemit: steemit.com/@benadapt
Facebook: facebook.com/benadapt
Twitter: twitter.com/benadapt
Instagram: instagram.com/benadapt
Minds: minds.com/benadapt

---

Earn Steem by selling votes or delegating Steem Power with SmartSteem