The Best Destinations for Active Solo Adventures

Travelling solo can seem daunting, especially if it’s your first time. But for adventurous solo travellers seeking incredible experiences, plenty of options await you.

And with solo travel not so rare anymore, many tour companies cater to this trend by offering trips best suited for solo adventurers.

Survey shows that solo trips have increased to over 40% in the past couple of years, and experts predict this will continue in the coming years. So, if you’re brave enough to venture by yourself, here are the best destinations for active solo adventures.

Chamonix, France

Chamonix is a haven for extreme sports in France, making it one of the best destinations for active solo adventures.

Whatever your preferences, you will find a thrilling activity to enjoy in Chamonix, from rock climbing to cycling, mountain biking, skiing, and snowboarding. 

If you visit Chamonix in summer, consider a cycling or mountain biking adventure in the French Alps.

Renowned for hosting Tour de France, one of the world’s most prestigious cycling events, a cycling adventure in Chamonix is best suited for expert cyclists.

Chamonix’s most famous cycling trails are Col du Grand Saint Bernard and Col de Joux Plaine. You will also find lesser-known but fun cycling trails like Col des Montets.

Chamonix also offers some of Europe’s most incredible terrains for mountain biking.

Here, you’ll find hundreds of kilometres of smooth and rocky trails with the stunning backdrop of Mont Blanc. If you are not into uphill cycling, you can take the main lifts up and enjoy a relaxing descent.

Chamonix is also a mecca for winter sports. So, if you’re coming here in winter, you can try activities like cross-country skiing, ski touring, and snowboarding.

Chamonix boasts almost 60 kilometres of pistes cross-country ski trails, crisscrossing the valley from Les Houches to Vallorcine.

St Anton, Austria 

Nestled along the Tyrolean Alps, St. Anton is one of Europe’s best destinations for outdoor sports.

Solo travellers who come here to ski should take advantage of the last-minute skiing holidays in Austria, perfect for those seeking a quick break. While you will find holidays for solo travellers, you will also find group deals with Sno holidays, allowing you to enjoy a ski break in Austria with the whole family, perfect for a range of holiday itineraries. 

Located within a two-hour drive of Austria’s three international airports and with the railway station a stone’s throw from the resort centre, St. Anton is easy to reach, making it a convenient place for solo DIY travellers.

Aside from offering incredible off-piste skiing, St. Anton is renowned for its epic nightlife scene, which makes it easy for solo travellers to meet and party with like-minded travellers.

Boasting over 300 kilometres of marked ski runs connected by state-of-the-art lifts, you are in for a treat when skiing in St. Anton. The resort forms part of Austria’s vast linked ski area.

Aside from the marked pistes, it has 200 kilometres of off-pistes waiting for you to discover.

Its slopes are most suitable for intermediate and expert skiers, where most of the runs consist of challenging blues, steep blacks, and genuine reds.

Val d’Isère, France 

Val d’Isere is one of Europe’s most well-known ski resorts, home to picturesque mountain villages brimming with luxury chalets and excellent dining options.

It lures thousands of avid winter sports, offering a fun place for solo adventurers to visit. 

Nestled in the majestic Tarentaise Valley of the Rhone-Alps French region, Val d’Isere is near the Italian border.

However, it can be tricky to hop into Italy unless you take a scenic helicopter tour. You can also book in La Rosiere, which links to the village of La Thuile in Italy. Saint Maurice is the closest main town to Val d’Isere, about 30 kilometres away.

Val d’Isere has plenty to offer skiers and snowboarders. Along with its neighbouring resort of Tignes, it forms part of what they call the Espace Killy ski area, with slopes linked by a lift system covering a whopping 24,000 acres.

Most of the skiing areas are above 2,000 metres. Such altitude and vastness make Val d’Isere a top destination for winter sports.

Lech, Austria 

Another fascinating place in Austria that solo travellers should visit is Lech.

Located in Vorarlberg, the glamorous resort is one of the best destinations for those seeking luxury ski breaks in Austria. It boasts one of the best snow records in the Alps and sits at an altitude of over 1,450 metres.

Avid skiers will have numerous ski terrains to discover here, including four lifts linking to the neighbouring ski stations of St. Anton, Zürs, and Stuben.

Lech is a traditional Austrian mountain village with a stunning riverside setting and a lively atmosphere. Expect well-groomed pistes for an incredible skiing experience, great snow, and fast lifts.

Beginners can choose from a range of blue runs and nursery slopes, while experts can tackle the famous White Ring and some extensive off-piste terrains.

Aside from skiing, the other winter activities to enjoy in Lech are cross-country skiing, ice skating, sledging, winter hiking, horse-sleigh rides, and winter hiking. Indeed, Lech has plenty to offer adventurous solo travellers. 

Reykjavik, Iceland

Iceland’s capital city is packed with fun things to do for all travellers, including solo adventurers.

It’s a super safe and walkable city boasting a Nordic charm and is truly one of Europe’s most beautiful cities. 

For solo adventurers, one of the best things to do is to explore the Golden Circle.

If you don’t mind driving, you can rent a car in Reykjavík and explore the famous route, which takes you to the country’s top attractions, such as the Thingvellir National Park, Gullfoss Waterfall, and the Geysir.

If you are not interested in driving, you can join a group tour of the Golden Circle. 

After your driving adventure, relax by soaking in the hot springs near Reykjavik.

The most popular is Blue Lagoon, which features milky blue waters surrounded by lava and is absolutely stunning.

What’s great is that your entry fee comes with a complimentary face mask, so you’ll feel pampered and relaxed.