Travel: A whole world of adventure right on your doorstep

When we think of adventure travel, destinations like the immense icefields and glaciers of Patagonia’s Torres del Paine, or the giant tortoises and blue-footed boobies of The Galapagos Islands come to mind.

However, we need not look so far from home, suggests Claire Copeman co-founder of UK adventure travel company, Adventure Tours UK.

She and her husband are avid travellers who have ventured to far-flung places but have had “some of the best and most thrilling adventures of [their] lives” in the British outdoors.

Claire says: “As an island nation, the UK boasts thousands of miles of stunning coastline, mostly accessible by coastal footpath, along with the surrounding seas. Inland, we have incredibly varied terrain, from high mountains to rolling hills, open moorlands and ancient forests – perfect playgrounds for hikers, runners, and riders alike. Our long rivers and vast lakes are fantastic for paddlers too. Whether you’re experienced or trying something new, the UK offers a place for almost every activity. Each of our nations also provides its own unique sense of place.”

The unique beauty of the UK’s wild spaces inspired Claire and her husband to create Adventure Tours UK, in 2018.

“There are 38 million inbound visitors per year to the UK, but most come here for shopping, sightseeing and football – so that’s a lot of people missing out on what the UK really has to offer. I wanted to create opportunities for others to experience some of the remarkable explorations that we have here, and in a way that protects and preserves the local environment and ecosystems.”

Here she shares some incredible adventures to tick off in 2024.

14 Peaks Experience

This epic three-day challenge offers a chance to hike the 14 highest peaks in Snowdonia National Park. Travellers are invited to conquer these legendary summits, passing iconic sites such as Glyder Fach’s famous cantilever stone along the way.

You’ll receive the full attention of your professional mountain guide throughout the adventure. After days spent hiking, you can relax in the evenings by sampling the bars, restaurants, and cafes, in quaint Welsh villages.

SouthWest660 Road Trip

This driving route is an incredible 660-mile trip around England’s southwest coast. Travellers can break the route into bitesize journeys along the south coast, Devon and Dorset or North Cornwall. Alternatively, you can opt to complete the entire route in one go. Along the way, you’ll experience some of the UK’s most breathtaking landscapes, including the renowned ‘Jurassic Coast’, and the world-famous beaches of Cornwall alongside the serene lakes of Somerset.

Active enthusiasts can enjoy kayaking, coasteering, and coastal hiking, while food lovers can indulge in the region’s abundance of artisan food producers, vineyards, and cider farms.

Traws Eryri MTB Adventure

The Traws Eryri mountain biking tour offers an exhilarating adventure through Eryri National Park. Skirt along 225km of incredible off-road trails, pedalling up the equivalent of Wales’s highest mountain, Snowdon, over four times.

Beginning in Machynlleth, set off on a six-day cycle by Roman castle ruins tracing back to 1AD, the mountains of Carnedd Llywelyn and glorious glacial valleys, before reaching the breathtaking viewpoint of Sychnant Pass, and descending into your final destination: the walled town of Conwy. En route, you’ll have your own local expert and professional mountain bike guide, while Adventure Tours UK transports your bags to every stop, so they’re always ready and waiting for your arrival.

Self-guided hike on Fife Coastal Path

A self-guided along the Fife Coastal Path is another of the best trips to tick off in the UK. It is perfect for couples and families looking for beautiful hikes along Scotland’s quieter east coast.

Spend a week trekking by breathtaking whitewashed harbour villages and wild, unspoilt beaches, discovering this picturesque, underexplored corner of Scotland. We can also arrange for you to enjoy wonderful foodie experiences along the way on a tailor-made trip including farm-to-fork eateries, remarkable distilleries and a wild sauna.

© Shutterstock

The Trans Wales Trail Run

This is a sensational 55-mile journey challenge for runners. It takes you across Wales from border to beach, through dramatic wild scenery, including the remote and rarely visited Cambrian mountains.

A qualified UKA Fell and Trail Coach will lead the way as you spend three days running across the remote Welsh countryside, by the ruins of the Cistercian Abbey, Devil’s Bridge and through the Elan Valley before you complete the adventure in the coastal town of Aberystwyth, with its 13th-Century castle and Pen Dinas, an extensive Iron Age hill fort.

En route, you’ll pass idyllic Welsh villages such as the historic Abbeycwmhir and the pretty market town of Rhayader. In the evenings, you can recharge from the day’s running with hearty meals and warming drinks in local village pubs.

More information on Adventure Tours UK’s trips can be found here.

P.S. The Arrochar Alps in the Grampian mountains are a special place for keen adventurers. Known for their stunning views and vertigo-inducing precipices, the Arrochar Alps are loved by hill runners, climbers and Munro-baggers alike. If you are interested in exploring the mountains, the villages of Arrochar and Lochgoilhead are the closest start points.

Factfile

Adventure Tours UK has become one of the first UK travel businesses to achieve B Corp certification. To put this into context, of the 334 million businesses worldwide, a mere 0.002% have achieved this accreditation.

Claire and the team offer world-class UK adventure holidays for outdoor enthusiasts seeking fresh challenges, including trail running expeditions through the wilds of Wales, mountain biking across Snowdonia and self-driving escapades through Scotland’s highlands and islands. Adventure Tours UK was the first UK inbound operator to carbon label their tours.