Backroads Media Center: 2025 Fact Sheet

Who?

Backroads, an active travel company, offers more than 5,300 scheduled departures in 2025, including Biking, Multi-Adventure, Walking & Hiking, Family, Dolce Tempo, Women's Adventures, 30s & 40s trips and Private trips. More than half of Backroads guests have traveled with us before or were referred by a friend. Founded by Tom Hale in 1979, Backroads began as a small regional bike touring company, offering trips in the western United States and the Canadian Rockies, and has grown to be the leading active travel company in the US, with the most destinations, itineraries and annual departures among active and adventure travel companies.

What?

Backroads offers nearly 550 itineraries for all ages and abilities in over 60 countries and territories around the world. Guests traveling on a Backroads vacation are fully supported by multiple leaders with vans that serve as mobile refreshment and bike repair centers; they also provide lifts to guests who want a break or are ready to call it a day. A trailer carries all luggage and gear, leaving travelers free to explore under their own power, light in load and spirit. Guests on Premiere Hotel trips stay at luxurious five-star hotels and dine on award-winning cuisine. Backroads Casual Hotel trips feature comfortable accommodations and meals at family-run eateries. Our Ocean & River Cruise trips explore multiple regions actively in combination with small luxury ships.

Backroads also offers exclusive departures for families, with dedicated itineraries for three distinct age groups, trips for travelers in their 30s & 40s, women-only adventures, as well as private groups.

When?

Year-round.

Where?

Over 100 destinations worldwide, including all seven continents, 60+ countries and territories, five Canadian provinces and 21 US states.

Bike Tours

  • Europe: Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, Estonia, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Scotland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland
  • Latin America: Chile, Costa Rica, Cuba
  • Asia & the Pacific: Cambodia, Japan, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam
  • United States & Canada: Alberta, British Columbia, California, Colorado, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Montana, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Nova Scotia, Oregon, Quebec, South Carolina, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wyoming

Multi-Adventure Tours

  • Europe: Albania, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Scotland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland
  • Antarctica & Latin America: Antarctica, Argentina, Belize, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, Guatemala, Peru
  • Africa, Asia & the Pacific: Australia, Bhutan, Botswana, India, Indonesia (Bali), Japan, New Zealand, South Africa, Tahiti, Tanzania, Thailand, Vietnam
  • United States & Canada: Alaska, Alberta, Arizona, British Columbia, California, Georgia, Hawaii, Maine, Montana, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Quebec, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Washington, Wyoming

Walking & Hiking Tours

  • Europe: Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, England, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Greenland, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Northern Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Scotland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, Wales
  • Latin America: Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru
  • Africa, Asia & the Pacific: Australia, Bhutan, Cambodia, Japan, Morocco, Nepal, New Zealand, Vietnam
  • United States & Canada: Alaska, Alberta, British Columbia, California, Maine, Montana, Newfoundland, New Mexico, North Carolina, Nova Scotia, Oregon, Quebec, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Wyoming

Ocean & River Cruise Tours

  • Europe: Bordeaux, Croatia, Danube River, Douro River, Dutch & Belgian Waterways, Greece & Mediterranean (via Albania & Montenegro), Iceland, Rhine River, Rhône River, Seine River, Venice to Croatia
  • Antarctica & Latin America: Antarctica, Chile, Galápagos
  • Asia & the Pacific: Tahiti, Vietnam, Cambodia & Laos

Why?

We believe that our blend of special destinations, activities and cultural connections is a better way to see the world. But what really sets us apart is our unwavering attention to quality, and most importantly, our superlative leaders, easily the best in the world of active travel. Check out the Backroads Quality Guide and see what you can expect from us.