From cycling along Japan’s coast to traversing the Mongolian desert, get off the beaten track with these thrilling active adventures.

Whether it’s carving through powder in the French Alps or swimming Croatia’s crystal-clear waters, these active holidays put adventure front and centre. Expect big landscapes, unforgettable cultural encounters and plenty of adrenaline.

1. The classic French Alps ski trip

No matter your age, the sight of snow-sprinkled villages and skiers zooming down marshmallow-white slopes is bound to remind you that real-life magic exists. The French Alps have long been favoured by the A-list ski and snowboarding crowd, offering some of the world’s largest interconnected ski areas, charming timber chalets, Olympic heritage and vibrant après energy. Choose Val d’Isere for endless and idyllic terrain, Courchevel for opulent hotels or pedestrian-only Avoriaz 1800 for family-friendly fun.

2. Wildlife and culture on the Caribbean coast

Ripe with clashing colours, jungle-strewn landscapes and a diverse culture shaped by migration and trade, Costa Rica awakens the senses at every turn. Hike through lush Cahuita National Park with a naturalist guide, discover off-the-beaten-track villages and cruise through the canals of Tortuguero on a river safari – eyes peeled for sloths, iguanas and capuchin monkeys. It’s all part of Intrepid Travel’s Premium Costa Rica: Tortuguero and Caribbean Coast itinerary.

3. Live like a nomad in Mongolia

Tap into the nomadic lifestyle embraced by nearly 40 per cent of the Mongolian population in the vast, wind-scoured Gobi Desert. Spend your days traversing sweeping grasslands and sandstone mountains in search of golden eagles and desert gazelles, the air scented with sagebrush. Share bowls of steaming buuz (meat dumplings) and salty milk tea with local families and settle into traditional ger tents, waking to frost-bright mornings. Over 14 days, G Adventures’ Nomadic Mongolia tour brings these local customs and extraordinary landscapes together into one eye-opening journey.

4. Explore Slovenia’s Julian Alps

Summer in Slovenia smells of wild blueberries and pine forests cool with damp earth. It’s a glorious time to hike the 15-kilometre Seven Lakes Valley through Triglav National Park in the Julian Alps, weaving past jagged peaks that rise like lion’s teeth against the horizon. Stay overnight in a community-spirited mountain hut where boardgames and wine replace wi-fi, or return to lower ground for a refreshing dip in Lake Bled or the lesser-known but equally beautiful Lake Jasna. Then amble through the moss-lined Vintgar Gorge, a fairytale walkway winding along turquoise rapids and quaint wooden bridges.

5. Uncover a new side to Japan by bike

Those who have explored the Land of the Rising Sun on two wheels know it’s one of the best ways to get a feel for the real Japan – the quiet villages, cultural nuances and rural landscapes that bullet trains and tour buses often rush past. It’s little wonder then that cycling tourism in Japan is growing, thanks to exciting events, extensive well-paved cycling networks and options suiting every rider level. One of the more popular routes is the Shimanami Kaido, an 85-kilometre, purpose-built cycling trail connecting the six islands of the Seto Inland Sea; expect spectacular ocean scenery, flat paths and flavourful food stops.

6. A walking holiday through the Tuscany of Spain

A walking holiday is an exercise in slow travel and a new self-guided trip through Spanish Aragón’s under-the-radar region of Matarraña unfolds at an unhurried pace. Over eight days on UTracks’ Hilltop Towns of Aragón: Walking in Spanish Tuscany itinerary, you’ll encounter few other walkers – a far cry from the thousands who undertake the Camino de Santiago each year. Immerse yourself in the landscape, admire centuries-old buildings as you walk cobblestones that have been grooved over generations, and make real connections with fellow travellers.

7. Swim your way through Croatia’s waters

If you’ve had your fill of sightseeing from the shore, why not put your swimming cap on and explore Europe from the water? Along Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast, discover hidden grottos and underwater caves, or freestyle your way around the Elaphiti archipelago – a group of pine and olive tree-topped islands that were an important part of the Roman Empire’s maritime trade routes. SwimTrek’s guided swimming holidays offer a refreshing way to travel, combining daily swims of around three to five kilometres with small-group coastal adventures, local cuisine and comfortable hotel stays.

8. Experience Portugal on horseback

From equine therapy retreats to luxury ranch stays, horse-riding holidays are having a moment – and when you’re cantering along the expansive coastline of Portugal’s Alentejo region, skirting medieval castles and cork oak forests, it’s easy to understand the appeal. On Globetrotting’s eight-day Lusitano Ride itinerary, days drift between rolling hills, afternoon siestas and glasses of garnet-hued Portuguese wine, with traditional manor houses serving as prime places to retire from the saddle come sundown.

9. Cycle through Sri Lanka’s highlands

From the palm-fringed coast and rolling surf breaks of Cape Weligama to the cooler, misty tea trails of Ceylon, Sri Lanka’s contrasting landscapes prove the perfect stage for a slow cycling adventure. Wind past mountain roads and emerald-green hills before kayaking in Rekawa Lagoon and exploring charming fishing villages. The nine-day Tour De Resplendent journey by Resplendent Ceylon combines all this with pampering stays at three secluded resorts designed to connect you to your surrounds.

10. Run the world

Whether you’re a light jogger, diehard racer or cheering sideline supporter, the universe of marathons and run clubs seems to be expanding across every corner of the globe. The trend is growing in the travel space too, as jetsetters lace up to experience some of the world’s most scenic and culturally energetic destinations on foot. From pounding the pavements of the Big Apple during the New York City Marathon to trail-running through the Dolomites and tracing New Zealand/Aotearoa’s coast, running promises an exceptionally immersive way to experience a new place.

This article is part of International Traveller’s 100 Holidays You Deserve round-up. Visit the special 100 Holidays You Deserve hub to find inspiring adventures for every travel type.