Soft Adventure Travel: What It Is and Why We Love It
Do you enjoy non-extreme active travel? You’ll love soft adventure travel!
Adventure travel is one of the fastest-growing segments in the travel industry. According to Grand View Research, the global adventure tourism market was valued at over $400 billion USD in 2024. One notable trend within this booming market is the rise of soft adventure travel – active yet non-extreme activities that allow travelers to enjoy the great outdoors without the risks associated with more intense forms of adventure.
At Zest for Latitudes, we’re passionate about soft adventure travel – it’s our travel style through and through. For us, it’s the perfect way to get outside, move, and explore unique and stunning destinations without the concern of high-risk activities.
Soft adventure offers the thrill of adventure, while still prioritizing safety and accessibility. Activities like walking, hiking, kayaking, biking, and swimming are all forms of soft adventure travel.
If the idea of soft adventure travel sounds exciting, keep reading to learn more about what it is, why it’s perfect for so many travelers, and how you can incorporate it into your next trip.
What is Soft Adventure Travel?
Soft adventure is for those of us who want to experience the thrill of adventure without pushing our limits. Instead of skydiving or trekking up Mount Everest, we’re talking about scenic bike rides through vineyards, easy hikes to stunning waterfalls, or kayaking on calm waters.
For us, soft adventure travel is all about having fun, trying something new, and making amazing memories – without needing special skills or top-tier fitness. It’s the perfect way to explore the outdoors and discover beautiful destinations at a pace that works for us.
And the best part? We don’t have to sacrifice comfort.
Whether we’re staying in a cozy apartment, dining on delicious local meals, or joining a guided tour where all the logistics are taken care of, soft adventure lets us enjoy the best of both worlds – excitement and relaxation.
According to research by the Adventure Travel Trade Association, soft adventure is a trending travel style.
Activities like hiking, walking, and cycling are increasing in popularity among travelers, especially those looking to get off the beaten path.
Soft Adventure Travel vs. Hard Adventure Travel
To truly understand this travel style, we think it’s helpful to contrast it with hard adventure travel. You can see some of the key differences in the table below.
| Soft Adventure | Hard Adventure |
|---|---|
| Easy to moderate physical activity | High-intensity physical activity |
| No technical skills required | Requires special skills or training |
| Low to moderate risk | High risk with potential danger |
| Emphasis on comfortable accommodations | Camping or less comfortable accommodations |
| Guided (or self-guided) experiences and pre-planned logistics | Often involves independent navigation and self-sufficiency |
Soft adventure is perfect for us travelers who want to experience nature, culture, and mild thrills – without the intensity or danger of hard adventure.
Maybe you enjoy some hard adventure travel, but want to mix it up with some more relaxing days during your travels. In that case, you can plan trips that combine soft and hard adventure travel activities.
Why We Love Soft Adventure Travel
Soft adventure travel offers us a unique and fulfilling way to explore the world. Here are some of the top reasons we incorporate it into our travels:
It’s for Everyone
The great thing about soft adventure travel is we don’t need to be fitness gurus or adrenaline junkies (we are neither!).
Whether we’re beginners, traveling with family, or simply want to take things at a slower pace, soft adventure is designed to be accessible and enjoyable for all of us.
We think soft travel is especially great when you’re traveling with people of different abilities and travel preferences. Maybe one person in your party is used to action-packed travel, whereas another is just a casual walker. Soft adventure offers a middle ground for both.
For this reason, soft adventure travel is great for couples, families, and even multi-generational travel groups with varied preferences and physical abilities.
It’s More Than Just Sightseeing
Instead of passively observing a destination, soft adventure travel lets us truly experience it.
When we cycled through Burgundy, France, the comfort of electric bikes allowed us to get some physical activity in without overexerting ourselves.
As a result, we got to see (or, cycle by) countless vineyards south of Dijon, with plenty of opportunities to stop and sample wine and cheese along the way.
These immersive experiences create deeper connections with a place and its people. And let’s be honest, the extra movement is a great way to justify that extra croissant (or gelato – because, really, there’s always room for gelato).
With active travel, you can (and should!) still hit those must-see sites. But you can also break things up and get off the beaten path between hitting popular destinations.
Think of it like a trip within your trip. Or a trip away from your trip.
It’s Safe and (Mostly) Stress-Free
Many soft adventures are led by experienced local guides who ensure our safety and provide insider knowledge. With comfortable accommodations and pre-planned logistics, we can focus on enjoying the experience rather than stressing over every detail.
There’s no need to worry about getting lost or making complex arrangements – just enjoy the journey (and let someone else read the map for once!).
Even when we’re doing self-guided soft adventure travel, the relative safety and low risk allow us to simply enjoy the experience without much stress.
It Offers a Sustainable Way to Travel
Many soft adventure activities align with sustainable and responsible travel practices. Walking tours, cycling, and wildlife excursions often have a lower environmental impact compared to traditional tourism.
Supporting local guides and engaging in conservation-conscious activities allow us to travel ethically. So we can enjoy the world while helping to preserve it.
Types of Soft Adventure Experiences
Wondering how you could implement soft adventure into your next trip? It’s incredibly easy. In fact, you might already be doing it without even realizing it!
Below are some of our favorite ways to dive into soft adventure travel. Remember, while this type of travel can definitely be done with guided tours, you can also enjoy many of these activities on your own!
- Easy to moderate hikes with stunning vistas
- Wildlife excursions or nature walks
- Scenic countryside bike tours
- Urban walks (or bike rides) to commute by foot (or pedal)
- Kayaking calm waters
- Snorkeling or swimming
- Unique cultural experiences
We should note that we often combine these activities for even more fun and variety. For example, we’ll hike to beautiful beaches, giving us a chance to cool off and swim mid-hike.
Some of our most memorable soft adventure moments have come from pairing physical activity with unique local experiences:
- When we were in Paris during Fête de la Musique, we enjoyed the musical evening with an urban walk around the city.
- In Vienna, Austria, we visited vineyards on foot, walking from one to another while soaking in beautiful views of the city along the way.
- When we attended a women’s football match in a Florence suburb, we rode city rental bikes as far as we could take them, then walked the rest of the way.
Give Soft Travel Adventure a Try on Your Next Trip
If you’re looking for a way to experience adventure without pushing yourself to extremes, we think soft adventure travel is the perfect choice. It lets us explore new destinations, engage in fun and immersive activities, and create unforgettable memories – without the stress or risks of high-intensity adventures.
Whether we’re cycling through vineyards, hiking to waterfalls, or kayaking on calm waters, soft adventure allows us to enjoy the thrill of exploration at our own pace.
So why not give it a try on your next trip? With so many options out there, we know you’ll find your own perfect balance of adventure and relaxation!