Summer’s here. Yay! Sunshine, BBQ’s, holidays abroad. We all look forward to doing certain things in summer – lounging in the garden, playing sport with the kids, sitting in the beer garden after a long arduous day at work. But how about doing something different this summer? An adventure, perhaps? Ok, ok. Maybe not a big adventure – surely it’ll be too hot to do anything too demanding? To help you get out and experience an adventure that shouldn’t be too taxing, here’s Adventurer Alastair Humphreys top 10 ‘easy’ adventures for you this summer.
"Swimming down a river is one of the best, cheapest and most simple ways to have an adventure."
Ben Macdui, Cairngorms,
Instead of joining the masses climbing Ben Nevis, why not head up Britain’s second highest mountain (Ben Macdui). It’s not technical, it’s easy to get to, the views are stunning, and you have a very good chance of having the mountain to yourself.
Adventure rating: 7
Severn Bore, Gloucester
Sleepy little Britain has a globally impressive natural phenomenon: the Severn Bore. Time it right and you can surf along the river, upstream , all the way to Gloucester.
Adventure rating: 8
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River Wye, English-Welsh border
The River Wye is possibly Britain’s most beautiful waterway. Walk it, swim it or canoe it. Just do it. For a touch more spice, paddle the rapids section through Symonds Yat.
Adventure rating: 4
South Devon
Get a better view of Britain’s thousands of miles of coastline by taking to a sea kayak. It’s a great way to see incredible wildlife and to explore cliffs, caves and sea stacks. South Devon has some of Britain’s best sea kayaking landscapes.
Adventure rating: 6
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Coed y Brenin, Wales
Get fit, have fun, and test your nerve on the miles and miles of purpose-built mountain bike trails at Coed y Brenin. Bike hire is available in the area.
Adventure rating: 4
Lowestoft Ness, Suffolk
Lowestoft Ness in Suffolk is the most easterly place in Britain. Walk a few miles south of the town to enjoy a night beneath the stars in a bivvy bag and wake at dawn to be the first person in Britain to watch the sun rise that day.
Adventure rating: 3
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River Ouse, Sussex
Swimming down a river is one of the best, cheapest and most simple ways to have an adventure. Drifting downstream you get such a different perspective on the world. I am a convert to river swimming. Try River Ouse in Sussex.
Adventure rating: 3.
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Yorkshire Three Peaks, Yorkshire
If you want a difficult yet achievable challenge in one of Britain’s loveliest landscapes, then tackle the Yorkshire Three Peaks. It’s a 26-mile test with a 12-hour cut-off time. The cafe at the start checks you in and out and serves massive mugs of tea at the end.
Adventure rating: 7
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The New Forest, Hampshire
It is a shame that Britain has very little forest. For a timeless, ageless escape from the 21st century, go and explore the New Forest, Britain’s newest National Park. Spring and autumn are my favourite seasons.
Adventure rating: 1
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Great Britain
Cycling from Land’s End to John O’Groats might not be an original idea, but it is something I encourage everyone to do once. It is a brilliant way to learn about your own country. And, with 275+ hotels to pick from, you can do the ride in style and stay in a Best Western every night!
Adventure rating: 10
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