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- The Best Adventure Towns Around The World! [UPDATED FOR 2024]
The Best Adventure Towns Around The World! [UPDATED FOR 2024]
Adventure!! We love it! In fact, we scour the globe looking for our next crazy adventure, whether that is jumping off the side of a mountain, tackling ferocious white water rapids, scaling cliffs with our bare hands or just hanging around at 2000ft! But after visiting the amazing town of Interlaken in Switzerland over the summer it got us thinking…where else around the world can you find these crazy towns where adventure is so easy to come by! So we enlisted the help of our fellow bloggers and adventurers to come up with the ultimate list for all you adventure seekers out there!
Interlaken, Switzerland
To begin with, where else other than our favourite town in the world? This place is like nowhere else we have ever visited! Surrounded by the Bernese Alps and overlooked by the Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau this town offers everything the thrill seeker could ever ask for. Amazing mountain views, crazy cable car ride, rafting in grade 4 glacial melt waters, via Ferrata over the impressive Lauterbrunnen valley with sheer 2000ft drops below.
Or what about canyoning in one of the best canyons in the world…Chli Schliere where you will be leaping off 30ft waterfalls and rappelling off 50ft cliffs. Not high enough…a 4000 ft paraglide, skydiving, bungee jumping from a cable car and even a thriving BASE community! Did we also mention world-class climbing crags too? This place has everything and to make it that much more inviting the town itself and smaller villages are picture-perfect Swiss Alpine adventures!
Here’s our guide:Interlaken, the adventure capital of the world
Empuriabrava, Spain
Empuriabrava is a region in Catalonia province in Spain. It is a place for many adrenaline seekers as Empuriabrava is a base for various air sports such as skydiving and wind tunnel flying. My personal favourite was skydiving from 4 km above the ground!
The town also has around 24 km navigable waterways which make it a perfect place for boat riding. Close to Empuriabrava are many small towns which offer other memorable adventures. You can go kayaking in Llanca, hiking in Roses or visit a Medieval prison in Castello d’Empuries. This region is full of activities and is perfect for a week-long adventure road trip in Spain!
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Hikkadewa, Sri Lanka
To be honest, we never really gave Sri Lanka much thought, a mistake I think many travellers, unfortunately, make as well. Having both been to India, we figured it would be much the same, but holy smokes were we wrong.
Sri Lanka is way greener, less crowded and polluted, has a nicer climate and the laid-back beach town of Hikkadewa is a personal favourite of ours.
Hikkadewa is today what Phi Phi in Thailand must have been like before all the cliche backpackers arrived. A breezy beach town, the food is delicious, the beer is cheap and the people are friendly, not yet jaded by too much tourism ruining their little slice of paradise.
And the best part? Hikkadewa is one of the best places in the world to see giant sea turtles. Less than 15 minutes into our arrival on the beach and we were knee-deep in the sea with these amazing creatures.
If Sri Lanka isn’t on your bucket list already, it needs to be. Hikkadewa is also the largest place in Sri Lanka for water sports and has the best diving on the island – and the best place to swim with giant sea turtles. In addition to diving, Hikkadewa offers surfing, kiteboarding and amazing snorkelling. If you are into water sports, forget the Maldives and head to Sri Lanka.
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La Fortuna is considered the adventure city in Costa Rica as it sits at the base of a popular national park and active volcano, making it a very convenient home base for nature and outdoor adventures. Visitors who come to La Fortuna visit specifically for adventure! From this humble local town, you can white water raft Class 3 and 4 rapids, zipline over 600 feet above the rainforest, stand-up paddle in the lake with a stunning view of the volcano and rappel down 200-foot waterfalls in the jungle. Our favourite activity in La Fortuna is canyoning. There is no feeling like jumping down huge waterfalls with toucans and monkeys all around you!
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Whistler, Canada
Known better as a ski resort, but just as fun during the summer! The pedestrian-friendly village sits at the bottom of Whistler and Blackcomb Mountain and offers a whole heap of adventurous activities such as Bungee Jumping, Rafting, Kayaking (the lakes are so blue!), Hiking, Glacier Hiking, Via Ferrata, Mountain Biking, ‘peak to peak’ Gondola, zip lining and Off-Roading! It was host to the 2010 Winter Olympics and they even take a passenger ride down the bobsleigh track! It’s like a giant playground! My favourite activity was a 3-hour ATV tour up in the mountains, I even saw a bear cub in the woods! Canada is also super easy to visit in terms of visa requirements, if you have a passport from one of the Canada eta eligible countries, you can visit for 6 months visa-free!
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Labuanbajo town on Flores island, Indonesia
We visited Indonesia last year and one of our favourite places was Labuanbajo town on Flores Island. Flores is on the Southern end of Indonesia, between Lombok and Papua islands. The waters around the Labuanbajo form part of the Coral Triangle, containing one of the richest marine biodiversity on the planet: a true paradise for divers. It’s also home to the famous Komodo Dragons. As well the dragons and the most incredible underwater world we’ve ever encountered in our scuba diving experience, the island also has lots of village life, caves, mountains and beautiful waterfalls to explore. It’s perfect for adventure seekers. The transport hub and main base town on the island is Labuanbajo.
We wrote about it here:www.nomadicboys.com/gay-guide-labuan-bajo-flores
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe is one of the best locations for adventure seekers in Africa and possibly the world. There is literally something for everyone in this beautiful town. Visitors to “The Smoke That Thunders” can choose from a number of adrenaline-pumping activities like bungee jumping and gorge swinging. For those wanting to get a bird’s eye view of the falls, you can take part in a scenic microlight or helicopter flight. Crossing over to the Zambia side gives you access to one of the most thrilling and exciting water activities in the world: taking a dip in either Devil’s Pool or Angel’s Armchair. Wading in Devil’s Pool allows you to literally sit on the edge of Victoria Falls, just a few feet from dropping over!
Big Island, Hawaii
The Big Island of Hawaii is a year-round destination that happens to also be an adventure lover’s dream. If you enjoy soft recreational activities to scary adventure experiences, you will find it here between scuba diving or snorkelling, sailing or surfing, hiking or horseback riding to a variety of thrill-seeking activities. There are many adventure outfitters that you can sign up for group tours or even customized tours that fit your exact needs and preferences. Here’s just one of my favourite things to do on the water below.
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Corsica, France
Corsica is a small French island – mostly forgotten by tourists. This island to me is all about adventure. When thinking of a French Island you probably think (or at least – I did) about warm weather, clear water, beautiful beaches and shopping in cute little towns. Corsica is much more than that. Absolutely. First of all: Corsica is the home base of one of the most difficult hiking routes in Europe (the GR20). Beautiful as well, by the way. You can hike the complete route (which takes you about two weeks) or hike for a day – which I did, absolutely worth it! Other adventures, just to name a few: (wind)surfing, motorbiking, canyoning, rock climbing, mouton biking (through high-high mountains) and diving. Say no more.. looking for adventure? Corsica definitely is your place to be.
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Queenstown, New Zealand
Imagine a bustling town set beside a deep blue lake surrounded by snow-capped mountains. The town is full of travellers from around the world and is home to some of the most crazy adventure activities you can imagine. Welcome to Queenstown, New Zealand. Queenstown is the adrenaline capital of New Zealand and offers everything from bungee jumping (the world’s first bungy jump is here) to skydiving to jet boating. At the end of an adrenaline-filled day, you can wind down at an award-winning spa and fantastic restaurants. Our favourite adventure activity in Queenstown is bungy jumping – that feeling of flying, of weightlessness as you propel yourself off a bridge towards freezing cold snow-melt water, is just incredible. The high you get from bungee jumping just makes you want to do it again, and again, and again. Make a beeline for Queenstown if you’re looking for an adventure!
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Nozawa Onsen, Japan
If you are a powder hound you are going to love this epic village of Nozawa Onsen in Japan. Nozawa Onsen is a hot spring and ski resort village near Nagano renowned for its powder. Nozawa Onsen is considered to be the oldest ski resort in Japan, started by an Austrian in 1911, and Austrian, Hanns Schneider introduced his Arlberg skiing techniques in 1930, which was to change the face of skiing. Nozawa Onsen was also home to the biathlon events of the 1998 Nagano Olympics, so it has some serious street cred.
The villagers run the slopes. The ski area is one of the largest in Japan covering some 298 hectares with 50 runs suitable for all levels, and a bonus is that there is guaranteed snow, with an average depth of 3.5 meters of mostly powder. There is also a vertical fall of 1085 metres making for some very long runs. One of the runs for beginner to intermediate levels is actually 10 km. Snowboarders and skiers have a lot of choices and going off-piste is really popular with daredevil skiers. Powder hounds love Nozawa.
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Cebu, Philippines
The Philippines itself is an adventurous destination with its plethora of amazing activities to do. However, if you do want to focus on a dynamic getaway in one place, Cebu is the island to be. With a variety of waterfalls to chase, abundant marine life to discover through snorkelling or scuba diving, a number of beautiful white sands beaches for a slower day, peaks to hike, and canyons to explore, a trip to Cebu will never be a dull one. My favourite thing to do here was canyoneering through rocky terrains while crossing the freshest water of Matutinao River, and also incorporating at least 5 waterfall jumps to reach yet another breathtaking waterfall that would be a delightful surprise at the end of your journey. Swimming with whale sharks and snorkelling with thousands of fish is also not to be missed. And if you’re feeling a little extreme, head over North and dive with thresher sharks, or perhaps go skydiving and land on the beach. Travelling around Cebu is easy as there are plenty of buses that will haul you all over the island. People are incredibly kind and lovely and they will never think twice in pointing you in the direction of yet another epic adventure.
San Pedro de Atacama, Chile
In my opinion, few towns epitomize adventure more than San Pedro de Atacama in Chile. This small town located in the heart of the incredible Atacama Desert is filled with people with a love for the outdoors and a spirit for adventure.With such amazing things nearby as Vallee de la Luna (Valley of the Moon) where Neil Armstrong and his crew practised for the Moon Landings, to the El Tatio Geysers where you can watch water erupt from the earth while bathing in a natural hot spring at over 4,300 feet above sea level. You can even check out flocks of flamingos flying over the Altiplano lakes.While you’re there, make sure to grab some wood-fired pizza or steaks at Café Adobe, with sandstone walls, intimate tables and a log fire roaring through the night.
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Livingstone, Zambia
Many visitors flock to Livingstone, Zambia eager to view the raging “smoke that thunders” that is Victoria Falls from the Zambia side. Others are just as content to take in the natural wonder but are also keen for an added adrenaline rush. Luckily, there is no shortage of activities for these thrill seekers. Whether interested in animal walks, white-water rafting at the Boiling Pot, or a swim at the Devil’s Pool (the ultimate infinity pool) adventurers will not be disappointed. If the weather is cooperative, i.e. not too windy, a microlight flight is a particularly unique and my personal favourite way to view Victoria Falls. Not only do you get breathtaking and unobstructed views as you fly through “the smoke” but you also have the opportunity to really feel the power of the falls.
Cape Town, South Africa
Cape Town, South Africa screams adventure! It is also my favourite city in Africa, not only is it gorgeous but there are tons of activities to do: surfing, hiking, cage shark diving, skydiving, safari, and much more. For many travellers, Cape Town is either the starting or ending of an overland safari. We’ve been to Cape Town Twice and spent over 3 weeks here and are yet to experience everything has to offer. Cage shark diving is a unique experience available in Cape Town, we haven’t seen this offered anywhere else in the world. It’s surreal to be out in the ocean as they are baiting the sharks and then you jump in the cage as the sharks swim by…awesome but scary indeed.
Hawker, Gateway to South Australia’s Flinders Ranges
Combine an action-adventure holiday with superb natural Aussie Outback attractions based right in the heart of South Australia’s largest mountain range – the spectacular Flinders Ranges!
Up for mountain climbing, a variety of hiking trails, horse and camel riding, driving rugged 4WD tracks, cycling, mountain biking, rock climbing and a time travellers tour through an ancient landscape? Then you won’t want to miss this 400+ km (250 miles) of All-Australian adventureland about 350 km (217 miles) north of Adelaide or the nearly 1000 km² (620 miles²) of the Flinders Ranges National Park.
The small town of Hawker is close to all the action and provides facilities for travellers wanting to explore the region.
You’ll find me hiking somewhere remote like Wilkawillina Gorge or on a 4WD trek to a historic mine site. But there’s always a reason to return because visiting the Flinders Ranges is addictive!
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Innsbruck, Austria
Innsbruck is a small town with a wonderful array of activities one can do across seasons. Visiting in the summer? Go for a bobsleigh run and hurtle down the mountain at 115 mph, strap on a flying fox apparatus and zoom at the mercy of a wire to enjoy the city skyline if you’re in the mood for some walking activity, the surrounding mountains provide enough trails and hiking routes for all levels of trekkers. For novices like us, we recommend a walking tour at Patscherkofel Mountains run by professionals, easy enough to enjoy the sights and just challenging enough to present a sense of accomplishment. In winter, the opportunities are numerous. You can grab your skis and take advantage of the fine blanket of snow covering the slopes with about 500 kilometres of trails for snowboarders and skiers alike. That it has been host to two Winter Olympics says a little about what’s in store if you’re heading there during this season.
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Castelrotto/Kastelruth, Italy
This town of 6500, located 20 km northeast of Bolzano, sits in the Alpe di Siusi high meadow of the Dolomites. While the town of Castelrotto is lovely, the surrounding mountains and alpine meadows are the draws. There are loads of well-marked trails for hiking, which is the main reason to visit from May through October. Trails are easily accessed from the town or any of the hotels and guesthouses. You can also catch the gondola in Suisi allo Sciliar, the town immediately to the south, or the chairlift in Castlerotto to gain some elevation so you don’t have to do so much uphill walking! The town itself truly caters to the outdoor traveller with hearty food, shops selling athletic clothing (and renting mountain bikes) and hotels and guesthouses with helpful owners.
My personal favourite is to take the gondola up to Campaccio and do one of the many walks from there which vary in difficulty. It’s such a breathtaking destination and a great place for hiking.
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Burlington, Vermont. USA
Sitting in the northwest corner of Vermont, on the shores of Lake Champlain, is Burlington. The birthplace of Burton, Ben and Jerry’s and some of the most incredible craft beer in the world. It also happens to be the best town to base yourself if adventure is what you are after. The city thrives on outdoor adventures. No matter what season you visit Burlington in, you will find something to ignite your adrenaline. Biking on the Burlington bike path, cliff jumping at Red Rocks, and kayaking through the waters of Lake Champlain are just a few of the things to do within Burlington city limits. Drive no more than 45 minutes, and you will find some of the best hiking and skiing in the Northeast US.
My favorite thing to do here is hike up Mt. Philo. It is a state park 20 minutes south of Burlington, and is easily manageable for any fitness level. No matter how many times I hike the steep path through the woods, or run up the access road, the view of the Champlain Valley from the top never gets old.
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Cairns, Queensland, Australia
Cairns is an awesome coastal town on the northern coast Queensland. It’s a must-see area for anyone exploring Australia, especially adrenaline junkies! There are so many cool activities you can do in Cairns…scuba diving, bungy jumping, skydiving, white water rafting – the list goes on!
Scuba diving the reef is an absolute must-do experience. After all, it is the Great Barrier Reef! Skydiving is over the beach, which means you get a phenomenal view for the descent! White water rafting is totally awesome, and adventure seekers can choose to do an “extreme” day, which also involves cliff jumping and swimming through rapids!
I decided to test my fear limit and try out bungee jumping at AJ Hackett Cairns. I can honestly say it was literally the scariest thing I’ve ever done! If you’re after an adrenaline rush, this is the place to seek it out!
Banff, Canada
We admit it. We are biased. For decades we have been playing in Banff National Park, a 90 minute drive from our home in Calgary, Alberta. We have skied, skated, hiked, snow-tubed, rafted and climbed through this wilderness wonderland of over 6600 square kilometers of Canada’s Rocky Mountains. Our love for this country’s first national park gushes out of our mouths like a proud parents going on and on about their gifted child. Besides the fact that Banff and it’s park are a UNESCO World Heritage site, we believe the combination of modern amenities and pristine wilderness make this mountain escape a thrill for everyone from solo adventurers to a multi-generation family. Recently named one of Canada’s Signature Experiences, our top recommendation for adventure in Banff is Mount Norquay’s Via Ferrata. Equipped with fixed cables, rungs, ladders and suspension bridges, spectacular views of Banff and doses of adrenaline are safely delivered. We’ll be waiting for you!
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Leon, Nicaragua
Leon is a beautiful town full of bright colors and a great way to start an exploration of Nicaragua. It also happens to be the only place where you can go volcano boarding, one of the most thrilling adventure activities you can do in the world. Volcano boarding is pretty much what it sounds like; you ride a toboggan down the side of an active volcano. You can reach speeds of up to 70 mph and the only thing protecting you is a jumpsuit meant to keep the glass like volcanic ash from cutting you to pieces.
Playa El Tunco, El Salvador
“Playa El Tunco is a wildly cool, little beach town located on the coast (Pacific) of El Salvador. Not only are there a variety of inexpensive places to sleep and eat just a few minutes walk from the beach, but the surfing crowd and waves found here are top-notch!During the week, expect to find a laid-back atmosphere, but don’t be surprised when the town comes to life on the weekends with an influx of tourists, both Salvadoran and International.After a full-day of surfing, be sure to stop at one of the Pupuseria’s in town for a well-known Salvadoran pupusa and wash it down with an ice cold Pilsner Lager or a watermelon smoothie!Playa El Tunco is also a great jumping off point for visiting many other world-class surf breaks and beaches. Grab your surfboard and say Holá to El Tunco now!”
Ushuaia, Argentina
Ushuaia, Argentina may be the departure point for cruises heading towards Antarctica, but this “City at the Edge of the World” is so much more than that. Sitting at the tip of the Tierra del Fuego, the archipelago at the very bottom of the South American continent, Ushuaia is the apex of any trip to Patagonia and is a fantastic destination for hiking, wildlife watching, and exploring history. Ushuaia sits along The Beagle Channel, named for the HMS Beagle on Darwin’s voyage, and here travelers can navigate the waters, observe penguins, or learn from one of the city’s well-curated museums. For those looking for adventure, take a minibus out to Tierra del Fuego National Park or Laguna Esmeralda for incredible hikes and unforgettable views. And the best part? All of the water in the parks is potable to drink—it’s flowing straight from the glaciers above.
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Monteverde, Costa Rica
Monteverde was one of my favorite parts of my Costa Rica trip. This place was absolutely beautiful and made for a lot of very fun adventures. I was able to horseback ride through the green mountains of Monteverde ending with a sunset that gave you views all the way out to the Pacific Ocean. I remember being in awe the entire time, thinking to myself, “is this real life?” The next day, I awoke to an even more adventurous day. Zip lining and bungee jumping. My first time zip lining and bungee jumping that is. We began the day zip lining through the green mountains, just about the best view you could imagine. Finally, it was time to bungee jump. I was so, so nervous, but so excited at the same time. We got in a cable car and headed out to the middle of the valley and jumped into thin air with the most amazing views. Monteverde was a place full of adventure and spectacular views and it definitely made me step out of my comfort zone.
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Leavenworth, WA (USA)
Leavenworth, Washington, nestled in the foothills of the rugged Cascade Mountain Range, is one of the Pacific Northwest’s best kept secrets. The charming Bavarian-themed village is the perfect jumping off point for a whole host of outdoor activities, like intense whitewater rafting on the class 4 and 5 rapids of the Wenatchee River, downhill skiing at a number of nearby ski resorts or the local ski hill, cross-country skiing through the backwoods, or hiking to crystal clear glacial lakes and towering viewpoints. The region is also ideal for rock climbing, mountain biking, and camping, and when the river settles down in the summer months you’ll always see people floating by on inner tubes, kayaks, or even stand-up paddleboards. The options for outdoor entertainment are truly endless! My favorite activity in Leavenworth is taking a day hike with a picnic lunch; there are many hikes that can be completed in 4-5 hours round-trip and are suitable even for casual hikers. A perfect day in Leavenworth is rounded out with a beer at the local brewery.
Pokhara, Nepal
As the extreme sport capital of Nepal, you can do almost every adventure sport in Pokhara. Mountaineering is the most popular since most hiking and trekking routes through the Himalayas begin in Pokhara, but there is a surplus of fun to be had! Phewa Lake is the hotspot of all water-related activities but you can also go paragliding, mountain biking, ultra gliding, and rock climbing. I discovered you can even go paragliding with hawks, which is called hawk-gliding! For a day trip, I went white water rafting with Adrenaline Rush Nepal, which also offer canyoning and kayaking packages. For $60 USD, we maneuvered 25 kms worth of rapids on the Trisuli River. The instructor kept the day lighthearted and action-packed, and even though most of us were beginners, we never felt once out of our comfort zones riding one of the world’s most turbulent rivers.
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Gold Coast (Queensland, Australia)
The Gold Coast is Australia’s capital of fun; whether you’re seeking adventure on land, in the air or on Queensland’s famously beautiful waters, the Gold Coast is an endless outdoor playground. And the huge range of activities on offer means there is something to suit everyone.
From taking horses through the natural wonders of the Gold Coast Hinterland, to skydiving over the southern beaches, or suiting up in a harness for Australia’s largest and longest zipline, the Gold Coast offers a terrific combination of adrenaline pumping thrills. Take a roller-coaster ride on the water with a jet boating experience which takes in 360 degree spins, high speed drifting, incredible beach buzzing and other exciting maneuvers in as little as 10 cm of water. Take out unique transparent kayaks over sunken shipwrecks and see fish and coral like never before without having to go under the water!
Between a spectacle of golden beaches, legendary theme parks, iconic rain-forests and lively attractions, the most difficult question for adventure seekers visiting the Gold Coast is how to fit it all in. This is a town which offers a terrific combination of adrenaline pumping thrills set on one of Australia’s most spectacular natural stages.
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Rotorua, New Zealand
Rotorua is a popular tourist town known for its geothermal features and cultural Maori villages. But dig a little deeper and you will discover it is also a haven for adventure and extreme sports. You don’t have to look too far to find zip-lining, bungee jumping, zorbing, luges, mountain biking, jet boating, and rock climbing.
Yet what attracted us to Rotorua was to tackle its incredible whitewater. You can make your way down the Okere River (Kaituna) not only on a raft but actually in the water hanging onto nothing but a board, similar to a boogie board. Known as hydrospeed or sledging, its was a total rush!
The Okere River is also home to Tutea Falls, which is the highest commercially rafted waterfall in the world. Looming at nearly seven meters tall (over 20 feet), you plunge the height of a 2-story building getting dunked at the bottom of the falls. This insane feat is such a thrill and helps to firmly cement Rotorua as one of the greatest adventure towns in the world.
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Kathmandu, Nepal
The world’s most spectacular adventure town has got to be Kathmandu. If you’re not transfixed enough by the tangled infrastructure and vibrant culture, opportunities for high altitude treks, white water rafting, and wildlife gazing are never so far away.
Most travelers flock to Nepal to ascend the Himalayas, and it’s easy to understand why! Snow-capped peaks tower over entire towns, almost asking to be climbed. Just hop a short flight from Kathmandu, and you’ll be on your way to Everest Base Camp or trekking the Annapurnas in no time. If trekking is not your thing, venture to Trisuli to experience thrilling rapids in a white water rafting adventure. Just further still, you can experience the biodiversity at Chitwan National Park and have the chance to see black rhino, and the always elusive Bengal tiger.
For adventures like that, even the very long flight becomes worth it.
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Svalbard
Svalbard, an island group deep in the Arctic Ocean with more polar bears than people living there is a true adventure destination.It is home to iconic wildlife and has a dramatic landscape with glacier reaching down to the sea.Longyearbyen, the biggest city offers accommodation from luxurious hotels or hostels to camping on the camp site in summer. Activities are ranging from Husky sledding to open rib boat safaris and polar bear watching along the glaciers. Other options are guided hiking tours or even expeditions to the North Pole.But if you’re into real adventure, you go and explore the island on your own. It’s forbidden to leave the town without a rifle. But luckily it’s easier to rent a rifle than to get alcohol. On the tracks you can find several more or less public cabins to stay overnight.Also worth a visit is Pyramiden, an abandoned Russian ghost town right next to a thundering glacier.
Třeboň, Czech Republic
seems like an ordinary place. But that is just a cover-up, so that it remains a small city that gives the most beautiful experiences that those who look beyond the guide book. It is a place where it is almost set that one will leave happy and pleased. For sport lovers, it is situated near lake that offers great variety of water sports during the summer and in a place that is great for long walks in the nature. Furthermore, one very interesting brewery is there, castle and tomb that are worth your time. Still not persuaded? They serve their town’s specialty there – food with marijuana seeds. That’s very interesting, indeed!
Swakopmund, Namibia
Widely considered to be one of the main adrenaline capitals of Southern Africa, Swakopmund Namibia is an adventure junkies paradise. With out of this world desert and ocean scenery providing the backdrop to activities such as skydiving, paragliding, quad biking, sandboarding and deep sea line fishing, you can be assured of the experience of a lifetime.
What could be better than jumping out of a plane 10,000 ft above the oldest and most picturesque desert in the world? or how about fighting with a 2 metre long 6kg big game fish such as the Snoek while drinking cold beer on a boat? or becoming airborne on a quad bike off the side of a dune hundreds of meters high? For your next adrenaline fueled holiday, make sure you get to Swakopmund in Namibia.
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Aulus-les-Bains: Gateway to adventure in the French Pyrenees
There is something about the mountains that brings out the adventurist in every person. There are peaks to climb, valleys to explore, and thrills to be had seemingly everywhere. Aulus-les-Bains is no exception.
Set in the French Midi-Pyrenees, south of Toulouse, Aulus-les-Bains was originally a thermal spa town and in the late 19th-century had multiple hotels and a casino. Today, the casino is gone, but tourists continue to visit, lured by nature and numerous outdoor activities: cycling, paragliding, swimming, rock climbing, and more. But the primary reason for visiting Aulus-les-Bains is the hiking.
The peaks of the surrounding mountains are incredibly accessible via a network of well maintained, marked trails. There are trails for all ages and skill levels, including my novice abilities. I hiked a 7-hour loop from Aulus-les-Bains taking me through a 1200m vertical ascent, past a waterfall, up to a beautiful plateau, and down to a lake for a swim, before returning to the town. The views along the way were stunning and definitely worth the pain in my legs and back.
For the more adventurous, Aulus-les-Bains is on the French GR10 hiking route following the Pyrenees from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic coast. If you like trail running, try the vertical kilometre trail from Aulus-les-Bains to Picou, a 5.3km run through a 1000m ascent. This is not for the faint of heart!Whatever you choose to experience, soaking your sore muscles in the spa’s pool is a great way to end the day. With nature at your doorstep and all the services you need conveniently located in the centre of the town, Aulus-les-Bains is a perfect base for adventure in the Pyrenees.
Lake Tahoe on the California/Nevada Boarder
Lake Tahoe is the perfect adventure destination in any season. In the winter, you can ski the slopes, snowshoe along trails overlooking the lake or hop on a snowmobile. In the summer, you can swim, kayak, paddleboard, sail or do just about anything else on the biggest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi. In the spring and fall, it’s the perfect place to hike breathtaking trails on any side of the lake. Tahoe truly is an ideal destination any time of the year for the adventure traveller. It’s a two-hour drive from Sacramento, CA or an hour trip from Reno, NV.
El Chaltén, Argentina
Considered the Trekking Capital of Argentina, El Chaltén is located in the Parque Nacional de los Glaciares. The small town is surrounded by beautiful mountain scenery. You can even spot Mount Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre on the background when it’s a clear day. El Chaltén is the starting point of some of the best hikes in this part of Patagonia. There are various difficulty hikes depending on your level of fitness. The most sought after hike in the area is the Laguna de los Tres day hike which takes you through some stunning natural landscape and ends with the amazing view of the majestic granite peaks of Mount Fitz Roy.
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Luang Prabang, Laos
Luang Prabang, in northern Laos, quickly became one of my favourite adventure towns! Every single day was packed with one adventure activity after another. I recommend booking one of the many eco-excursions offered. I chose the two-days ‘Ban Chomphet Experience’ by a local company: Mountain-biking, Hiking and a stay in an ethnic Hmong village. The best part about it all: a percentage of the fees go to the families directly! It was an experience that will stay with me forever. Once you return to Luang Prabang, treat yourself to one of the many excellent massages in town or stroll along the night-market and try some delicious local dishes at the many street food stalls. If you prefer to have a fine dining experience, you won’t be disappointed – you’ll be spoilt for choice. The next day, visit the Kuang Si waterfalls, only a short tuk tuk drive away, where you can swim in the turquoise blue lagoon pools…
Franconia, New Hampshire
My favorite adventure town is Franconia, New Hampshire. This beautiful town in the White Mountains offers activities for all levels of outdoor enthusiasts. It is a beautiful, scenic area of New Hampshire. Cannon Mountain greets you as you drive up the highway; a ski area in the winter, and in the summer climbers are often on it’s rocky cliffs. Another attraction- Flume Gorge has boardwalks that take visitors to waterfalls and gorges. Echo Lake at the base of Cannon Mountain often has people fishing or kayaking and a beach for swimming. My favorite activity is the hiking though. The best hike to me is a loop over Mt. Lincoln and Lafayette. The trails meander by many stunning waterfalls and over Franconia Ridge with 360 degree views.
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Grindelwald, Switzerland
Grindelwald, Switzerland is seriously perfect for adventurers and nature lovers. It’s near Interlaken (which is known as the adventure capital of Switzerland) and it has many options for adventure activities. In the summer you can paraglide, hike mountains, sky dive, ride cable cars, hike mountains, ride zip lines and do downhill scooter (my favourite!) amongst others. In the winter, it’s perfect for skiing. And on top of that, this place is just so drop-dead gorgeous that you’d be nuts not to consider visiting.
Alta, Norway
Big adventures can happen in the smallest of places, and this certainly rings true for Alta, one of the world’s northernmost cities in Norway (but the size and population of a small town by most standards). This is a place where you can be guided through the Arctic wilderness by a team of zealous husky dogs and at night fall asleep in an ice hotel. If you want to push your sense of adventure to the limits you can embark on a camping expedition across the Arctic tundra and spend the evening searching for the elusive Northern Lights. And come the summer, the window of exploration opens for 24 hours when the Midnight Sun arrives!
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So there you have it, a run down of the world’s most exciting and thrilling adventure towns! We can’t wait to get out and explore them ourselves.
Thanks to all the amazing travellers who helped me out compiling this post, you guys are the most adventurous people I have ever known!! Make sure and check out their pages if you want more amazing stories of adventure and travel!
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