Maggiore, Como and Orta could easily steal the title of Great Lakes. Shimmering blue waters set against a stunning alpine backdrop. Majestic palazzos, timeless villas and lovely lakeside towns. And quiet hikes above it all. The views, the flavors, the wines.

It doesn’t take a pro-level fitness ability to have the time of your life on a Backroads trip! We design our trips with a variety of route options each day so you can meet or even challenge your own expectations of how far you think can go. A Backroads leader shares his tips on how to prepare for maximum power & fun on your next active adventure!

America’s National Park Service was founded on the ideals of individual naturalist authors and artists like John Muir. Their awe-turned-advocacy promoted a shift in thought: nature is a treasure that needs to be preserved, protected and cherished. Explore our National Parks with Backroads!

Sweden and Denmark share connections. Pristine cities and endless islands basking in the blissful Scandinavian summer sun. Nordic cuisine is innovative and delicious. The locals are charming, happy, enviably good-looking--and they share your love for the bike.

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.

Sonoma County is a mecca for three different types of fanatics—foodies, wine aficionados, and bike fiends. I was lucky enough to grow up in this beautiful part of California's Wine Country and I'm forever indebted to it for instilling in me a love of cuisine, grapes and bicycles. Many Backroads guests on our Wine Country trips find themselves with a day or two to spare in my native land, and I (of course) think that I know how to spend it best. Allow me to share what I would do if I had a few days in Sonoma County.

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!