For many would-be holidaymakers, a week or two away is a chance to recharge and recuperate by lounging around beside a pool and doing not very much of anything.  For a growing number of UK-based tourists, however, a more active form of travel is the ideal.

Active holidays are those that involve physical exercise.  This might mean spending a week hiking through a mountain range or cycling through a valley.  Or, it might mean trying a variety of pastimes throughout the course of a week.  You might go canyoneering on Monday, canoeing on Tuesday and paragliding on Wednesday.

But exactly why is it that these kinds of holidays are so popular?

Health and Wellness Benefits

It should be fairly obvious that exercise is good for your physical and mental health.  But active holidays tend to offer broader wellness benefits than a simple boost for your cardiovascular system.  Outdoor activities can improve your mood, self-esteem and general energy.  You might finish a holiday feeling refreshed and reinvigorated – because you’ll have done something new and interesting every single day.

Changing Travel Preferences

The polling suggests that adventure travel is now a priority for around two in five holidaymakers.  According to a recent survey by IcelandAir, around a quarter of UK travellers seek to balance activities with more traditional relaxation, while around 18% are looking for high-octane thrills throughout the break.

If you’re unsure of whether this form of holiday is right for you, it might be a good idea to prefer a mixed selection of activities.  That way, you can settle on something you like without going too extreme.

Sustainable Tourism

If you want to travel the world without damaging it, then you might already be looking at more sustainable forms of tourism that benefit local people and cause minimal damage to the environment.

This is where certain kinds of adventure holidays tend to excel.  If you’re thinking of hiking through a remote wilderness, then you won’t have to contend with the carbon footprint of a car, hotel or plane.  You might also choose to take a holiday in the UK and shrink your carbon footprint even more.  Of course, you’ll also want to pick your litter up with you as you go and treat the environment you’re hiking through with respect.

Popular Active Holiday Options in the UK

If you’re thinking about taking an active holiday in the UK, then you’ll have myriad options to choose from.  Walking and cycling tend to be the dominant ones – but since the UK is an island nation, there are also plenty of opportunities to have fun in the water.  Around 18% of adults are planning a hiking holiday in 2025 – so why not join them?