Backroads announces top active travel trends for 2025

From women-only departures and acoustic (non-electric) bike tours to Portugal’s islands and the Alps, Backroads, the US active travel company which organises biking, hiking, and multi-adventure trips, is seeing interest across a variety of travel styles, ages and locations around the world based on early guest bookings.

Backroads’ top active travel trends for 2025

1. Women-only trips
   Exclusive adventures just for women – whether travelling solo or with friends, with sisters or multiple generations of female family members – will continue to gain traction.
2. Challenging mountain hiking
   Travellers are keen to hit more mountain trails. Backroads is seeing high demand for trips featuring rigorous alpine hiking that allows for more trail time and up-close exploration of a region. 
3. Epic regions for easy-does-it travellers
   While some travellers seek out challenging treks, others want to explore thrill-worthy destinations at a more relaxed pace, with plenty of options for leisure and cultural pursuits. “Chill seekers” in search of just the right amount of activity paired with stunning natural beauty and R&R are eager to discover at their own tempo.
4. Portugal islands
   The lush landscapes, dramatic coastlines and beautiful beaches of Madeira and the Azores started to attract attention post-Covid-19 from US travellers in search of new off-the-beaten-path destinations. Airlines expanded their flight schedules, making these islands more accessible. Backroads launched trips in the region in 2024 and has doubled departure dates for 2025 due to enthusiastic guest interest. 
5. Under-the-radar destinations
   For adventurous travellers, the appeal of lesser-known places continues. People looking for travel destinations with well-rounded appeal, unique scenery and premiere accommodations are discovering destinations like Belfast, Newfoundland, the Baltics and Tasmania. 
6. Chasing dark skies and eclipses
   Eclipse chasing, stargazing and glamping are becoming increasingly popular with travellers, whether setting their sights on European destinations located within the path of totality during the 2026 solar eclipse or glamping under the stars in locations such as Utah’s Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks. 
7. Vive la France – Paris and beyond!
   From exploring Second World War history in Normandy and Brittany to wine tasting and gastronomy in the Loire Valley and cruising down the Seine and Rhône Rivers, France will continue to be a top European travel destination.
8. Winter travel’s heating up
   Whether it’s snowshoeing and winter wildlife-viewing in snow-wrapped US national parks or escaping to warmer climes for beach hikes and coastal biking, as temperatures dip, winter travel continues to increase in popularity. Instead of daydreaming about a vacation during this time of year, some travellers are starting to make it their primary travel season.

Independent travel insurer True Traveller recently warned travellers about a wave of hazardous travel trends gaining popularity on TikTok.