These are the 12 Best Outdoor Adventures in Europe as nominated by travel writers from all over the world. Europe offers such diversity when it comes to selecting your adventurous activities for your vacation. From skiing to glacier trekking, from sailing to trekking, you will not miss out on your adrenaline rush with these suggestions. You can even climb the mighty and mysterious Matterhorn if you wish. If you are wondering how much does it cost to travel Europe if you are backpacking, then check these tips out.

Glacier Hiking in Iceland

from The World is a Book

There are almost 300 glaciers across Iceland. Hiking one of these glaciers only seems fitting when visiting this incredible country. We returned to Iceland last June and hiked a glacier in Skaftafell National Park. It was an amazing and unforgettable experience trekking through crevasses and ice ridges for two hours. It wasn’t as strenuous as expected but actually a lot of fun. It is imperative that glacier hiking is done with a knowledgeable tour guide and with the right equipment. We wore crampons on our shoes for ice traction and had ice axes. Glacier hiking is available all year.

 

Dog Sledding in Sweden

 from Travel the World

There are many options for outdoor winter activities in Swedish Lapland.  A favorite outdoor adventure in Sweden is dog sledding.  The dogs bark, yap, and cry, pulling at the lines, itching to run through the white snow.  When they’re let loose, hang on tight as they fly through the snow, following winding paths through trees running across frozen rivers.  When they turn corners, the driver has to lean and shift weight to keep the sled upright and following the correct path.  Dog sledding is an exhilarating adventure made even better because the dogs are having the time of their lives.

A Glacier Walk in Norway

Hiking in Slovensky Raj National Park,  Slovakia

from SKJ Travel 

Hiking in Slovensky Raj National Park was a highlight of my trip to Slovakia. The park encompasses an extremely lush forest. I was tickled to find myself walking through raspberry bushes taller than my head — what a fruity feast! Some particularly fun features in Slovensky Raj are the ladders through the waterfalls, and the metal platform steps bolted into the rock face flanking the river. It’s a delightful way to forge directly through the forest rather than plodding circuitous paths around the water obstacles … simply climb straight up the waterfalls and walk right on top of the river.

Sea Kayaking at Sunrise in Bulgaria

from Travelling Buzz

Starting your day on a kayak in the sea, overlooking the sunrise is one of the best adventures I’ve had on the Black Sea in Bulgaria. Followed by 15 km paddling along a gorgeous coast, hunting hidden beaches for a relaxing break, entering a sea cave and fighting the waves with the kayak is what I call one hell of an adventure!

 

Hike in the High Tatras of Slovakia

from SKJ Travel  

One of the most unexpected outdoor adventures I ever had was hiking hut-to-hut in the High Tatras of Slovakia. We noticed on the map the trail to a hut we booked a bed in was marked “difficult,” but it took awhile for us to digest it when we saw the “trail” as we stood at the foot of a vertical rock face. It’s not a footpath, but just a chain bolted into the rock. You have to haul yourself up the cliff face using the chain. No safety harnesses to tame the adventure, so place your feet well and hold on tight!

Kayaking at The Pont du Gard, France

From France Travel Tips

The Pont du Gard in the south of France is an ancient Roman aqueduct built around 60 AD. It straddles the Gardon River and the area is popular for many outdoor pursuits, including kayaking where the waters are relatively smooth. You can rent a 2-person kayak in nearby Colias where you will be provided with life preservers and a big waterproof “barrel” for your belongings. There are many places to pull over for a swim or picnic. You can leave your car in Colias as a van will take you back after your half or full day outing.

 

Snowmobiling Towards the Northern Lights in Sweden

from Travel the World

One of the main reasons to travel to Swedish Lapland in winter is to see and photograph the Northern Lights.  However, seeing the Northern Lights is not guaranteed, so it is best to add a little outdoor adventure in case the Northern Lights don’t show themselves.  One way is to take a nighttime snowmobile ride.  Riding through the snow at night at high speeds with nothing but a headlight illuminating the way provides an adrenaline rush which is amplified even more when the skies clear and green lights start dancing above.

 

Hiking to Svartifoss, Iceland

from Hej Doll

Located in Southern Iceland, Skaftafell National Park is home to the most beautiful waterfall I’ve ever come face-to-face with. Surrounded by columnar basalt, Svartifoss (Black Falls) is well-worth the hike. It is said to have inspired the architecture of the famous Hallgrímskirkja in Reykjavik, Iceland. The hike itself is a 40m ascent in 1.5 km (takes around 45 minutes each way), and although it is steep at times the trail is paved and easy enough if you pace yourself. It provides lots of opportunity to stop and enjoy the view, as well as another waterfall along the way.

Hot Air Balloon in Cappadocia’s, Turkey

from Short Holidays and Getaways

The Cappadocia’s are located in Central Anatolia, in Turkey. This entire area is a geological phenomena. The fairy chimneys and the unique and very Escher like formations make this a place where it is best seen from the air, via a hot air balloon. These hot air balloon rides tend to go at dawn to allow you to see the light play on the shapes of the unique landscape.The local village of Goreme is where people live in caves as troglodytes and is the starting point to see this ethereal landscape by hot air balloon.

 

Portuguese Way of St. James – Portugal and Spain

From Julie Dawn Fox

I recently walked over 400 km on the Portuguese Way of St. James pilgrim route through northern Portugal and Spain to Santiago de aompostela. It’s a challenge, both physically and mentally, but rewarding in so many ways. The popular ‘central route’ weaves through valleys, forests, small-scale farms, traditional villages and medieval towns like Barcelos and Tui. It also involves a fairly steep climb up Labruja mountain, easily compensated for by the stunning views of Portugal’s gorgeous Minho region when you reach the top. Do it in spring to see the wildflowers at their best and avoid the heat.

Scuba Diving in the Orkney Islands, Scotland

from Through an Aussies Eyes 

When you scuba dive, you enter a whole new underwater world. Shore diving at the Churchill Barrier Blockships at Scapa Flow, Orkney Islands, Scotland will just make you appreciate the history behind the World Wars. These Blockships were sunk to protect the British Naval Fleet anchored in Scapa Flow during WWI and WWII. These wrecks are only under 10m of water which enables divers to explore their final resting place. Dive through a curtain of long fields of seaweed to see the outline of old gun turrets and rooms that use to hold people from the past.

 

These are 12 Best Outdoor Adventures in Europe, that our travel writers have nominated.

What other outdoor activities would you add to this?

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