by Spring for via ferrata, Lake Garda, Italy
The spring in the north of Lake Garda is an adventure paradise. Many times I have enjoyed the via ferratas: iron cables arranged in scrambling routes, which require fitness and a sense of adventure but no technical mountaineering skills (safety equipment required). The views are spectacular and varied, from gorges and ledges to grassy mountaintop finishes and, for the heavy ladders, huge verticals – with castles, bastions and shrines along the way. It’s also a great area to hire a bike or pick up one of the many self contained flats, to explore the trails and see the lakes and mountains with pedal power. Bored with all that? There is also windsurfing, windsurfing, swimming and river boat trips. All accompanied by great food and gelato.
David Thomas
Great for boat or bike, Lake District
I enjoyed many perfect activity breaks around beautiful Keswick. Boarding, kayaking and sailing on Derwentwater and Loch Bassenthwaite is glorious – although you must always be aware of the no-boating zones established to protect breeding birds. When we have enough water we rent mountain bikes and enjoy various trails in Whinlatter Forest. The 16 mile route West of Skiddaw is a true wilderness journey. Walkers are spoiled for choice: My favorites include the nine-mile Horseshoe Coledale and the climb up Blencathra via Sharp Edge to get your pulse racing. Its solitude and stunning scenery make Tarn Dock, a few miles south of Derwentwater, perfect for a wild swim.
Kathleen
Advanced hiking in the Pyrenees, Andorra
The Coronallacs Trail offers great hut-to-hut hiking in the Pyrenees. The trail has five stages and covers a challenging but rewarding 57 miles (92km) passing remote mountain lakes and spectacular views, reaching a high point of 2,900 meters above sea level. The route connects each of the four mountain sanctuaries with Andorra staff, who provide accommodation and food, allowing you to pack light. At 14 miles the fourth stage is the longest and most difficult, ending with a shelter on Andorra’s highest mountain, Coma Pedrosa. Packages offering four nights’ half-board accommodation at the huts can be found for around £180pp (€219.72) at stadesport.com.
Jasper
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Exotic plants and winding paths, La Gomera, Canary Islands
La Gomera in the Canary Islands is a hiker’s paradise. There is breathtaking mountain scenery, excellent waymarked trails, mild weather all year round and everywhere is so calm and peaceful, without too many people. Sometimes it’s like walking on a winding path through an ornamental garden, with unusual plants at your feet but with stunning mountain views all around you. The island also has an excellent road network, meaning you can shorten walks by taking taxis or buses at the start or end. You still feel away from everything, though. I traveled with On Foot Holidays on a self-guided route with an excellent app and luggage transfer.
Paul Kirkwood
Cycling in Wales and watching out for cougars
West Pembrokeshire is famous for its sheer cliffs and turquoise water rising and falling in remote visitors. But take to two wheels on a spring day and you can enjoy a field guide of inland wildlife. This is a viable destination for cyclists of all experience and abilities. The thistles are as yellow as the cross on St. David’s flag in the spring. Do not rush. Stop often to be rewarded by the first swallows and woodpeckers that arrive from Africa. Step carefully on sun-warmed ground where lizards and lizards bask. As your tour ends, kick back in one of the uncrowded independent tea rooms.
Matthew Page
River trekking adventure, France
My family and I went river tracking (also river hiking) in Les Gorges du Toulourenc in Drome in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, 25 miles east of Orange. It is a great place to engage in physical activity and the beauty of nature at the same time. The color of the water is an ethereal turquoise – often around calf level, but in places reaching above the waist. With a little scrambling on rocks and swimming through deeper water there are enough challenges to feel like you are on a real adventure, but you can also sit quietly at the edge of the water take in the rocks up to the sky and watch on the. Bonelli’s rare eagle soaring above.
Jenny Ross
The air is as sweet as wine in Portugal’s Douro Valley
There is no better place for a burst of spring energy and activity than the Douro Valley. The air is as sweet as wine and golden grapes by mid-March – making it perfect for walking or cycling breaks. It’s also fairly flat, as we discovered last year, making it accessible to the very old (in my case) and the very young (in the case of my grandchildren). It’s easy to reach by train from Porto, and you can rent bikes for €20 a day or just walk. Swimming in the river is also fun – from one side to the other. Be sure to visit Aveiro, ideally by boat, to see its colorful houses, cafes and streets.
Steam
Our activity dreams came true in the Alps
Before life with children, we headed to the French Alps for a multi-activity break with Responsible Travel (from £700pp excluding travel), sleeping in an off-the-grid yurt with a pick-your-own menu and mix of activities. We chose via ferrata, gorge walking, mountain biking and – a dream come true – paragliding! All the activities were easy to book. Cooking facilities were available on the farm; we also tried local food markets and restaurants. We will be going back for more as soon as our little ones are old enough to jump into cold rivers.
Charlotte
On the quiet way from Amsterdam to Brussels
I booked a nice six-day cycling holiday from Amsterdam to Brussels with Dutch Bike Tours (€889pp for two, breakfast included), taking the Eurostar to Amsterdam and then back from Brussels. It was a lovely, relaxing cycle ride that would be suitable for families, although I did it myself. Dutch Bike Tours took care of my luggage and booked hotels, allowing me to venture into the quiet countryside and picturesque towns such as Gouda, Bergen op Zoom and Louvain at my own pace. The route is guided by a series of numbered “junctions” and shows what cycling could be like in the UK.
David Bryce
Winning tip: my reservoir cycle in the Peak District
We enjoyed a traffic free cycling holiday in the lovely town of Bakewell in the Peak District. We headed up the smooth, family-friendly 8.5-mile Monsal Trail, passing through stunning limestone valleys and over the stunning Cloiche Cinn Viaduct. The Upper Derwent Valley circular route (15 miles) around the Derwent, Ladybower and Howden reservoirs was a longer challenge, with beautiful views throughout. Slippery Stones, just beyond the northern end of Howden reservoir, was the perfect midway lunch stop. We finished our ride on the High Peak and Tissington trails, which provided easy cycling with extensive countryside views. Afternoon tea at Hartington’s farm shop and cafe rounded off a great break.
Hosin
Please use the comments to tell us about your own favorite spring break adventures
