‘I inched across rock faces, explored sea caves and plummeted off cliffs’: readers’ favourite active holidays in Europe

The open moors of Wales’s Beacons Way

Taking a Friday off gave me three clear days, enough time to walk from Llangynidr to Abergavenny along the Beacons Way. It’s delightful! I got a return train ticket from Bristol to Abergavenny, then the local bus from Abergavenny to Llangynidr on the first day – I was one of three passengers, with a super-friendly driver. First day’s walking featured open moors, bracken-filled hillsides and beautiful views. Overnight in Crickhowell was followed by a walk to Llanthony, with four ridge crossings, stunning views and the incredible Patrishow Church. Camp at Llanthony Priory campsite, and cosy up in the tiny, wonderful pub for dinner. The final day was in Abergavenny, another stunner with huge views. Finishing off on the super-steep and super-rewarding Skirrid was the icing on the cake. Then time for a pint in Abergavenny before the train home. I felt great.
Rachel

Coasteering in Pembrokeshire

Pembrokeshire is the home of coasteering, an activity that combines swimming, climbing and cliff-jumping to scale coastlines. Wearing wetsuit, helmet and a holey pair of trainers, I found myself inching across rock faces, exploring dark sea caves with hidden swells and plummeting off cliffs into crashing waves. The wind and water whip your face, and the sea makes eerie sounds as it rushes into caves around you. The local guides are excellent, and will take you on a half-day adventure for £55pp. I recommend staying in St Davids and finishing your day with delicious pizzas from Grain.
Steph

Canoeing across Sweden’s biggest lake

Known as the Swedish lake district (without the traffic and tourists), Dalsland is the perfect location to embark on an “into the wild”-style adventure. My outdoorsy friend and I hired a metal canoe and a barrel to stow our tent and camping supplies for the next four days. Paddling along the canal system led us to Lake Vänern, Sweden’s biggest lake. Dotted along the way are small sites with rustic facilities such as fire pits and benches – ideal spots to pitch for the night. The fire and stars made the evening entertainment. Apart from a few others in canoes and a roaming moose, it felt as if we had the whole stunning lake to ourselves.
Paulina

Scrambling and wild swimming in Arran

A car-free trip to Arran feels like a proper adventure. Arrive by ferry at Brodick, then walk three miles to the Glen Rosa campsite for back-to-basics camping. (No pre-booking needed, but bring cash to drop in the honesty box.) Then spend your days exploring the spectacular glen. Swim in the blue pools (you can jump in off the little footbridge away from the main path) and walk on to the hills. For the more adventurous, the A’Chir Ridge is an exciting scramble (you need to be confident setting up an abseil), and there are awesome multi-pitch climbs. Then grab a well-deserved pizza from The Parlour back in Brodick. Final tip: don’t forget midge nets and spray!
Jess

Hiking to free concerts in the Italian mountains

My favourite hiking trip is to I Suoni delle Dolomiti, a series of free open-air concerts, ranging from classical to folk to jazz, during the summer at remote locations in the Trentino mountains. The nicest concert spot is an ancient theatre-like rock formation near the Laghi di Bombasel, a string of lakes in the Lagorai mountains, and an hour’s hike from the end stop of the ski lift from Cavalese. Rifugio Paion serves hearty lunch on the way. Cavalese is an enchanting town and a perfect base for the festival, with cafes, eateries and hotels as well as an agriturismo nearby.
Ariella

Island-hopping in secret Sicily

We loved our walking holiday in Sicily organised by Headwater Holidays – great choice of self-guided walks, lovely hotels, historic villages, ancient monuments and fabulous walking companions, who we now class as friends. Zingaro nature reserve in north-west Sicily is beautiful with amazing views and hidden coves to cool off in – and walks on the island of Marettimo were stunning. Our absolute favourite was the boat trip around the island with snorkeling and sea cave swimming – crystal-clear waters and colourful fish. We would love to return!
Angela

An Eigg-cellent adventure (with dolphins)

We usually have very active holidays, but after Covid we needed a break that was gentler than usual but still wild enough to feel like an adventure, so we booked a week in the Eigg Shed (from £80 a night), a tiny home on the tiny Isle of Eigg in the Inner Hebrides. The cosy and comfortable shed was just big enough for the two of us and our dog. We had dolphins accompany us on the ferry to and from the island. We paddled, walked, biked and swam in the most beautiful setting. The views from our shed were incredible. It was utter bliss and we returned to our daily lives feeling rejuvenated.
Lucy

Saving turtles in Cephalonia

I went to Cephalonia to volunteer with Wildlife Sense, a sea turtle charity based in Argostoli and Lixouri. We cycled all over the island to visit nest sites; the roads are very safe and the views of the sea and hills are spectacular. It’s an incredible chance to have an active holiday with people who are passionate about conservation – and you get to save turtles!
Sarah

Magical Madeira

My girlfriend and I spent a week hiking on the spectacular island of Madeira last February. The best views were from the path between Pico do Areeiro and Pico Ruivo, the island’s highest point. Our rental apartment was in Câmara de Lobos, which offered beautiful scenery and several seaside restaurants, the best of which was Vila do Peixe, where we ate freshly caught fish and watched the chef prepare it.
Haldane

Winning tip: Biking, beers and birdsong in Andalucía

The four of us (Mum, Dad and the kids) biked off-road through the cattle and cork country of the Sierra de Aracena in western Andalucía. Herds of longhorn cows grazed among the wild flowers and watched us from the shade of the cork oaks. The e-mountain bikes made easy work of the river crossings and the ascents on the drovers’ tracks. An eagle rose lazily above our picnic spot, by a small lake full of turtles. We listened to birdsong, drank cold beers and ate fresh tortilla before returning to the farmstay for a swim in the pool and dinner. A perfect biking day. Tired, a bit sunburnt, and all of us very happy.
Nick