Tired of the crowded tourist spots, we wanted to escape into nature. It turns out that more and more people are jumping into the mountains and the sea, making even the mountain trails crowded. Want to embrace nature and enjoy a great outdoor experience?
Here's a collection of unique and niche outdoor adventure destinations around the world. They encompass unparalleled stunning scenery, impressive outdoor experiences, and great logistical facilities that can support you in a wide variety of outdoor activities.
1. Julian Alps of Slovenia
Small in size but no less magnificent in the scenery, Slovenia (Slovenia) is one of the best protected secret places in Europe with its dream-like perfection. Here you can explore its vibrant capital, Ljubljana, wander the peaceful countryside, enter picturesque medieval villages and explore the fairytale castles on Bled Lake.
Meanwhile, the adventurous among you can take in the Alps, climb the awe-inspiring Julian ALPS, hike the beautiful Logar Valley, explore mysterious caves, and swim and kayak the emerald-glittering Soca River.
2. The Irish Atlantic Way
Fire up your adventurous spirit by riding or driving through Ireland along the Wild Atlantic Way. You can spend 12 days riding 650 miles from Mizen Head, Ireland's southernmost point, through three national parks and two stunning glacial fjords to Malin Head, Ireland's northernmost point and a former Star Wars set.
Not only is there a ruggedly beautiful coastline and unparalleled ocean views, several national parks with their special features, exotic Irish architecture, and kayaking and scuba diving in several cities along the way, a beauty and experience you can't enjoy anywhere else.
3. Lake Atitlan, Guatemala
Antigua is located in the southwestern highlands of Guatemala (Guatemala). It is a fantastic cobblestoned town located near Lake Atitlán. The landscape is beautiful, the locals are warm and welcoming, and the tour package is well-developed. Also, being surrounded by four volcanoes and Lake Atitlán, the area offers a wide variety of outdoor activities.
You can hike and ride up the four volcanoes, glide down the mountain, swim and paddle on Lake Atitlan and enjoy the beautiful lake view. After nightfall, just as campfires begin to crackle, you can watch neighboring Volcano Fuego erupt under a starlit sky.
4. Icala Flinders Ranges National Park, Australia
Considered one of the oldest geological formations on Earth, the Flinders Ranges are just five hours from the southern Australian town of Adelaide. The landscape is stunning: ridges and peaks, wooded gorges, rocky streams and rust-red soils cover the land.
Spend three days traversing the Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park and see Wilpena Pound, a huge natural circular valley. A scenic flight from the sky reveals that this mountain, once as high as the Himalayas a million years ago, looks like an ancient forgotten world as if the age of dinosaurs had been set here.
Standing atop St Mary's Peak, the view of this 80 square kilometer wonderland of rugged hollows is overwhelming. Then, fall asleep with the stars in a tent under the stars as you enjoy the nightly lullabies of parrots, mockingbirds and pachyderms.
Let's go! Bring your adventure-loving heart.
