Activities

Home to a culture that grew separate from foreign influence, Japan is true to itself and has a distinct character from almost any other place on Earth. Beyond its culture, the land feels undiscovered and is beautiful in its own right. You’ll be up close and personal with this unique culture and stunning landscape as you explore the island on your bike.

Venture with Backroads to el fin del mundo – the end of the world. Patagonia is spectacularly remote and truly a place like no other… where glaciers calve into a pristine landscape, endangered condors soar the open skies, intrepid hikers venture along windy trails to mountain summits and gauchos traverse the sparsely populated pamas on horseback.

The British invented the idea of walking & hiking for pleasure. And ramblers across the UK campaigned for decades to secure everyman’s right to roam. So, it makes sense that the 2,800-mile England Coast Path is slated to open in 2020. And when it does, it will be one of the longest hiking trails in the world.

There’s simply no other place quite like Alaska. Exploring it on foot means that you breathe in all that the land has to offer. In just one day of hiking in Alaska, you can experience more untouched wilderness and see abundant wildlife than on a multi-day backpacking trip somewhere else.

Puglia is genuine. Untouched. And there's no better way to experience it than by bike. Cycle past olive trees and seaside towns. Ride through a sunny paradise between the blue waves of the Adriatic and the flawless green of Basilicata. Share a table with the kindest people on the Italian peninsula. Welcome to Italy less traveled. Welcome to Puglia.

About an hour north of Milan, Italy's capital of fashion and design, a trio of stunning freshwater lakes are located within just a few hours of each other. They're surrounded by jaw-dropping mountains that feature nearly every shade of green, and perched along their shorelines are a continuous series of picturesque lakeside villages, villas and palaces. Lake Como, Lake Maggiore and Lake Orta each offer visitors a chance to experience the fusion of culture that exists between the Alps and the rest of Italy; an opportunity to experience the rich Italian culture in a new way. And the hiking here is spectacular!

Anyone who has visited the Canadian Rockies – or has a friend who has and can’t stop talking about it –already knows that it’s a world-class travel destination. This dramatic range of snowcapped peaks that spans the provinces of British Columbia and Alberta harbors a rugged and exceptionaly rare natural beauty. And among some of the most jaw-dropping vistas you’ll ever see are a plethora of exciting outdoor activities and festivals plus luxurious accommodations to retire to at day’s end.

Nothing beats traveling with your family—experiencing new things through the fresh eyes of your kids, while instilling in them a sense of adventure and new perspectives. Europe is full of ideal family trip destinations that are close enough to be accessible, yet far enough away to be new and exciting.

To truly understand the significance of the Camino, you have to travel at least a part of it yourself. I did, and what I discovered is that at the heart of this storied path of quaint villages, picturesque landscapes and historical relics lies a deep spiritual journey—one that began with Roman-era Christians but now includes people from many different walks of life.

The view from a mountaintop is always worth it and always inspires us. But the strange thing is, the view from the top seems to obscure the actual, physical toil it took to get there. Inevitably, we find ourselves lacing up our hiking boots again or putting our cycling shoes back on to climb yet another peak, seemingly oblivious to the incredible challenges ahead. Of course, climb a mountain–including the world’s most iconic ranges–with Backroads and the joy multiplies: logistics, gear, route-planning, lunch stops and guides will all be taken care of so that you can focus simply on finding your stride or cadence and achieving your best day, whatever that means for you.