The Natural Adventure

03/08/2025

"We had a really enjoyable biking holiday experience in Norway. The communication prior to us leaving was excellent…Accommodation and food was fantastic; the luggage transfer logistics went without a hitch; the bikes were excellent and we felt very well looked after during our adventure. We would certainly look to The Natural Adventure again for a similar trip." - Chris from Scottish Highlands

It takes someone from the Scottish Highlands to recognise wild and wonderful cycling, and Chris nailed it with their choice of Norway’s Mjølkevegen. If you’re devoted to the remote, this 250km cycling trail through Jotunheimen National Park is a total star. Or five stars, according to Chris. It actually translates as The Milky Way, after the dairy farms scattered across this Valdres region, all enveloped by the Jotunheimen Mountains. You can do the whole thing, or break it up into a north or south section, with Chris having a five-star experience on the six day northern route. With highlights, according to these photos, including a section on the Kings Road, the cycle from Lake Olstappen to Bygdin and the woods and waterfalls of Murudalen Valley.

For a journey along Norway’s Milky Way, check out the link bellow.
https://bit.ly/45ayoPv
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01/08/2025

"Hiking in Andorra is always a pleasure, as it's a small paradise nestled in the Pyrenees. The trails are well marked and the scenery is breathtaking, with numerous mountain lakes and rivers. On this route, I had the opportunity to explore several valleys and natural parks the country has to offer, and the experience exceeded all my expectations." - Claudia Ollé Hurtado, Adventure Operations Specialist at The Natural Adventure.

As you can see from our team member Claudia’s colossal photos, she adores Andorra. As does her dog, Siva, which you can see in the photo of their hike around the Circ de Pessons. This is one of the most iconic trails in Andorra, taking you past six alpine lakes, one after the other, all located in a glacial cirque that’s surrounded by mountains over 2,800m. You can also see Claudia herself taking on a trail between Arinsal and Serrat, as she crosses L’Angonella Mountain Pass and, last but not least, she captures the vast expanses of Sorteny Valley Natural Park, which was declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2020. And for one more UNESCO wonder, the Madriu Valley is the most luscious of the lot, where horses and hikers wander freely.

If you’d like to open Andorra’s box, follow the tour link below.
https://bit.ly/3IHkblw
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30/07/2025

"Lovely trek down a valley brimming with history. Greatly enjoyed. Routes well marked, app faultless, food excellent, gelaterias at the end. Beautiful valley dotted with castles and Roman bridges." - Berts from Oxford.

Berts is the bee's knees for sharing this kind review and photos of their walking holiday on the Via Francigena in Italy. This is an ancient pilgrimage route that takes you through the heart of inland Italy. It was originally set up to take pilgrims between Canterbury, Rome and the sacred town of Santa Maria di Leuca. Berts’ bunch took on what we call the peaks to Piedmont section, walking through the northernmost regions of the trails, over nine days. Starting over the Swiss border in the Great St Bernard Pass, they crossed almost immediately over into Italy, walking on ancient mountain trails that all the way to Ivrea, in Piedmont, in the foothills of the Alps. Let’s hope that Berts will come back to take on the next section, from Ivrea to Pavia sometime soon.

To be more like Berts, follow the trail to the tour linked below.
https://bit.ly/44HH4Oi
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25/07/2025

"A good itinerary with some interesting choices of route every day. There were some challenging days partly due to the high temperatures with long ascents and descents on the last two days. Rewarded with walking through variable terrain and paths. Spectacular views, wildflowers, butterflies etc. Great to look across the valleys and see the previous day's walk. Hotels generally all comfortable, welcoming and good menus for the half board. Lovely to finish with an evening in Annecy." - Elizabeth F from York

Elizabeth is the queen of adventurers this week, not only for giving us a five-star review for this French walking holiday, but also because this is her fourth adventure with us. And the Aravis Massif, which overlooks Lake Annecy is, as you can see in Elizabeth’s photos, a summer landscape full of wildflowers, wild goats and butterflies. It’s a short window to go hiking in this little-known mountain terrain, between June and mid-September, so get in quick for a late summer saunter. With some celebratory swimming at the end of the tour too, where you’ll regret not booking an extra night, as Annecy is exquisite.

For more information, dive into our link below.
https://bit.ly/456xN2h
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23/07/2025

"We absolutely loved the Via Spluga hike. This was our first time booking with The Natural Adventure and we highly recommend them! Trip planning and check ins with us along the way were great, hotels were lovely, and everything went smoothly. The hike itself was an absolute delight with variety, amazing views and excellent stops along the way at museums, gorges, waterfalls, etc. This is a trip not to be missed!" - S.L. from Canada

When you splash out on Spluga, this is what you get. Miles of meadows, mountains, wildflowers and cross-border beauties. Following a 70km trail from Thusis in Switzerland to Chiavenna in Italy, we’re over the moon that our Canadian adventurers have given it five-stars. And with at least five highlights, including Splügen Pass (2,115m), the Via Mala, Roffla and Cardinello Gorges and the alpine arcadia of Valchiavenna, we’re not surprised.

To saunter along the Via Spluga, follow the trail to our tour. Link below.
https://bit.ly/46jHclt
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20/07/2025

"Very hard to find fault! Sensible hiking distances and not too arduous each day. Particular highlights - flexibility of both accommodation and local company. Due to unexpectedly high temperatures I left early most days. Accommodation all happy to provide a ‘takeaway’ breakfast. Local company willing to come an hour early on the couple of days where a transfer to the trailhead was provided. Punctuality - all transfers arrived on time/early. Quality of trip guide and GPX files. This was my first trip with The Natural Adventure. Am booking my second this week." - Kev F from Shropshire, UK

It’s also very hard to find fault with this five-star review. With five areas given gold stars by Kevin on this Corfu Trail holiday: accommodation, transfers, GPX files, trip guide and, last but not least, breakfast. Because if your day gets off to a good start, then the rest should ideally fall into place. And, looking at Kev’s shots of this 200km adventure into the heart of Corfu, including a trek up to the island’s highest point, Mount Pantokrator (905m), it looks like it did just that.

Follow in the footsteps of this enthusiastic Shropshire lad, by checking out the tour, linked below.
https://bit.ly/4nPmNgX
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18/07/2025

The French will never look at you strangely if you turn up on a bike. It’s their much loved national sport and, consequently, they have cycling trails through forests or fine winelands, along canals, coasts and between châteaux. As well as some serious road cycling of course. Our most popular cycling holidays in France include the hilltop villages of Provence, the flats of the Normandy coast, and the peaks of the Pyrenees. And our most recent vélo-vacay is the superb Via Rhôna, which follows the Rhône between Geneva and Sête, for 815km, from the mountains to the Med. Here are some of our French favourites, whether you’re a Tour de France wannabee or a Tour de France wanderluster.

For more information, see our blog at the link below.
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Here are our best cycling routes in France, whether you’re a Tour de France wannabee or a Tour de France wanderluster. Allez la France.

16/07/2025

"The whole trip was well organised from pickup at the airport to drop off again at the end. The local rep was instantly available via WhatsApp at all times for any queries. The bikes supplied were excellent. It looked like they tailored the routes to our abilities (I am 71 years old). It was an amazing trip, from the crowded streets of Marrakech to the isolation of the Berber villages in the mountains. The accommodation and food was first rate, as were our mountain guides. The three day cycle tour covered just over 100 miles, all on mountain tracks and quiet back roads. What a great way to experience Morocco! This is our second trip with The Natural Adventure and we are already looking at the next!" - Baz from Warwick

Baz and the boys are the best. Simple as that. It gives us such pleasure creating adventures for people like these, who are willing to try not only new cycling trails but also new cultures. And, as Baz points out in his five-star review, the Berber culture, food and hospitality is ‘first rate’. Baz has summed up our privately-guided, five day adventure perfectly really. So we’ve nothing to add. Except, if you want to be more like Baz, and get on your bike, see the holiday link below.
https://bit.ly/3WMK733
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13/07/2025

Have you ever arrived at your holiday hotel late at night, sweaty and weary after travelling, feeling discombobulated and just hoping that the coffee is good in the morning? Then you wake up in the morning and open your curtains, to have your breath taken away. We’ve asked our team of adventure specialists to come up with their favourite wake-up spots while hiking or cycling on one of our natural adventures. They like to get around, so it wasn’t easy! Take a look at what’s on the other side of the shutters.

And for more information on each tour, see our wake-up spots blog at the link below.
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We asked our team to describe their favourite wake-up spots on our tours. Look at what's on the other side of the shutters.

11/07/2025

"We had a grand and very relaxing time exploring Kraków and the beautiful vistas of southern Poland. Four days in and around Kraków wasn't enough to see it all, and we were also glad we added an extra day in Zakopane. The mountain cuisine is unique and hearty, and the traditional music is quite stirring. Tatra Balsam liqueur was a true revelation and we brought a bottle home. Also picked up some local honey from a local beekeeper along the Velo. Mostly out of curiosity, we tried e-bikes for the first time. I was doubtful, but they were such fun! You still get plenty of exercise, but with a nice power boost here and there when desired. I'd do it again." - Arabicsmith from Kansas

Sometimes we just want to give a five-star review to a five-star reviewer, especially when they cover all bases so beautifully. Thanks to our Kansas adventurer for summing up Poland’s new VeloDunajec trail so perfectly. The trail covers almost 200km, taking you through the landscapes of the Dunajec Valley and Gorge, as well as the Tatras Mountains’ foothills, with a night in Zakopane, gateway town to Tatra National Park. Where our reviewer wisely booked an extra night. If you like a genuinely local experience when cycling, Velodunajec is the bees’ knees. And the people are as sweet as the local honey too.

For more info, see the link below.
https://bit.ly/44JirR4
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09/07/2025

"We had a wonderful time hiking throughout Madeira, staying in five different towns and hiking a variety of terrains and levadas. Everything was beautifully planned and we loved learning about local life from the gregarious van drivers, who were always right on time. There's a lot of variety on this trip!" - Beth from Valencia

Beth has nailed it with this kind five-star review, saying that there’s a lot of variety on this trip. Her photos are two snapshots of Madeira’s magnificence, where she followed an eight day itinerary along its unique levada trails. In her photos, Beth captures the north coast, between Machico and Porto de Cruz, which was on her first day of hiking. That must have set the bar pretty high for the rest of the week. Although, as you can see from the photo of the coastal town of Porto Maniz, this wake-up view from her hotel is just one of many other wonders that Madeira has to offer.

If you want to be more like Beth, head over to the link below for holiday details.
https://bit.ly/40zYHgj
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06/07/2025

"My wife and I (61 and 70 yrs) walked five days from Jičín to Turnov. Everyone we worked with at The Natural Adventure was very responsive and helpful. We explored several rock cities and scrambled through mouse holes and labyrinths. The app was also very helpful. Be sure to download the trips." - Nicky D from California, USA

Thanks to Nicky and his wife for these beautiful Bohemian moments, as they followed trails through Bohemian Paradise UNESCO Geopark. Known locally as Český ráj, as you can see these are epic landscapes of naturally eroded sandstone rock towers peeping up over forest canopies, all linked by trails through rock labyrinths or ancient rock ‘towns’. With a five-star review, and very happy faces, we also think that you guys rock.

For more information, Czech it out at the link below:
https://bit.ly/3THGHg9
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