The last two years haven't exactly brimmed with big bucket-list, let's see how far I can push myself, moments. So if, like us, you've got this pent up need to knock it out the park this year, take on a new challenge, or get back on the horse big time, then we’ve got some stellar ideas for challenges to set yourself, and the adventures to help fulfil them. 22 of them in fact...
1. The 3 Peaks Challenge in Morocco
Tackle three 4000m+ summits back-to-back on this tough traverse of the High Atlas Mountains. Scramble with Berber guides to the top of Mount Toubkal (4167m) and the double summits of Mount Ouanoukrim: Timzguida (4089m) and Ras (4083m) and stay in scenic mountain refuges along the way.
Duration: 5 days Difficulty: Challenging
2. Guatemala 5 Volcano Challenge
Hike and summit five volcanoes in Guatemala's Ring of Fire. Experience three active volcanoes, including the continuously erupting 'Volcan de Fuego'. Stand atop Tajumulco volcano (4220m), Central America's highest point and watch the sunrise from Acatenango volcano with panoramic views all the way to Mexico.
Duration: 10 days Difficulty: Challenging
3. 100km Canoe Expedition Across Scotland
Paddle across Scotland from Fort William in the west, to Inverness in the east along the Caledonian Canal. Traverse 100km of flat water via the Great Glen Trail, cross the legendary Loch Ness, and wild camp on the water's edge surrounded by some of the UK’s highest mountains.
Duration: 5 days Difficulty: Moderate
4. Alaskan Wilderness Kayak Expedition
Power yourself along Alaska’s wild coast on a stunning journey teeming with wildlife. Paddle into Bears' Kitchen and the iceberg alleys of the Shoup Glacier Marine State Park. Watch out for orcas, humpbacks, bald eagles, bears and rafts of sea otters in the Prince William Sound, and wild camp in remote spots, feasting around the campfire under the stars.
Duration: 8 days Difficulty: Challenging
5. Welsh 15 Peak Challenge, UK
Tackle the highest peaks in Wales all in a weekend. Hike through the Carneddau, Glyders and Snowdon ranges, ascend ridges, cross linked peaks in rapid succession and experience the stellar views and natural beauty of Snowdonia, the largest National Park in Wales. 15 mountains. 4000m of gain. One incredible weekend.
Duration: 4 days Difficulty: Challenging
6. Climb Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
Climb to the summit that's on every adventurer’s hit-list – the mighty Mount Kilimanjaro, all 5895m of her. Trek through forest, over moorland and under a glaciated precipice via the Machame Route, considered to be the most scenic way to the top of Africa's highest peak.
Duration: 9 days Difficulty: Challenging
7. Wilderness Trekking Expedition in Greenland
Journey deep into the wilderness through old Inuit hunting grounds to the isolated iceberg lake of Iluliartooq, all the way to the Greenland Ice Sheet. Wild camp amongst the mountains, rivers and plateaus of Western Greenland, and listen out for calvings from your basecamp beneath the midnight sun.
Duration: 9 days Difficulty: Challenging
8. Arctic Circle Fat Bike Expedition, Norway
Spend five days cycling across the Finnmarksvidda mountain plateau with a team of huskies in the Arctic Circle. Cruise through remote snow trails, cross frozen lakes, sleep in remote huts, and warm up in hot saunas, eyes open for migrating herds of reindeer and the elusive northern lights.
Duration: 6 days Difficulty: Moderate
9. 250km Self-Powered Coast to Coast Expedition Through Costa Rica
Hike, bike and paddle yourself from the Pacific Ocean all the way to the Caribbean Sea. Journey through cloud forest and virgin rainforest teeming with wildlife before heading up and over the Continental Divide. Rest up in eco-lodges on the banks of the Pacuare River and cool down in secret swimming spots along the way.
Duration: 12 days Difficulty: Challenging
10. Isle of Rum Expedition, Scotland
Soak up life on a remote island in the Scottish Inner Hebrides, an island of no roads, forgotten castles and a mere 29 residents. Traverse the six peaks of the Rùm Cuillin ridge, wild camp in deserted spots alongside rocky shorelines, and keep watch eagles, otters, seals, dolphins and the ubiquitous red deer.
Duration: 5 days Difficulty: Challenging
11. Climb Mont Blanc, France
Tackle the mountaineer's mountain. Sitting at 4,180m, Mont Blanc is the highest point in western Europe, regarded by many as the birthplace of modern mountaineering. Climb in a group of just four people and summit Mont Blanc on a Monday, the quietest day to attempt this legendary peak.
Duration: 8 days Difficulty: Tough
12. Nicaragua Seven Summits Challenge
Stand atop geological giants spanning the spine of Nicaragua's Pacific highlands. Summit seven volcanoes, trek the boiling mud fields of San Jacinto, kayak the wildlife-packed Istián River and hike through tropical forest to the twin peaks of Concepción and Maderas. Camp beside a crater rim anyone?
Duration: 11 days Difficulty: Challenging
13. 3 Peaks Challenge in Spain
Tackle three back-to-back summits on this tough traverse in the Sierra Nevada, including mainland Spain’s highest peak. Scramble to the top of Mt Mulhacén (3482m), La Alcazaba (3369m) and Mt Veleta (3395m), through Andalucia’s secret mountain range and bed down in a high-altitude mountain hut with views all the way to the Mediterranean coast.
Duration: 6 days Difficulty: Challenging
14. 100km Jungle Expedition into the Heart of Colombia
Trek through tropical rainforest and raft one of the world’s last truly wild rivers. Blaze a trail through the wilderness as you descend into the mysterious Magdalena Basin and pass through one of the most biodiverse regions on the planet. Be one of the first to set foot in this remote and untouched corner of Colombia.
Duration: 8 days Difficulty: Challenging
15. Summit Yala Peak, Nepal
Climb Yala Peak (5,550m), one of the few non-technical peaks in Nepal and experience the mighty Himalaya away from the crowds. Trek through the Langtang Valley, past towering peaks and tumbling glaciers then grab your crampons, ropes and ice axes as you set off by torchlight and navigate the tight ridge to the top.
Duration: 12 days Difficulty: Challenging
16. 100km Sea Kayak Expedition in Croatia
Embark on an epic, self-powered journey by sea kayak across the azure waters of the Adriatic. Swim, snorkel and soak up the sun in-between paddling the uninhabited islands and hidden beaches of Croatia's Elaphiti Islands.
Duration: 6 days Difficulty: Challenging
17. Summit to Sea Expedition in Scotland
Climb Cairn Gorm, the legendary 4000ft mountain at the heart of the Cairngorms National Park. Canoe the rapids of the River Spey all the way to the sea, and wild swim in the chilly Loch Etchachan, at over 1000m above sea level.
Duration: 5 days Difficulty: Challenging
18. Trek the Haute Route, France & Switzerland
Take on one of Europe’s toughest and most prestigious long-distance hut to hut trails. Experience the remote wonders of the Alps as you trek to epic viewpoints and through traditional mountain villages all the way to the Matterhorn, one of the most iconic mountains on the continent.
Duration: 10 days Difficulty: Tough
19. Arctic Circle Ski Expedition, Finland
Spend eight days skiing hut-to-hut through the Käsivarsi wilderness and reach the highest point in Finland. Master Nordic skis and traverse the remote Arctic fells of Finland in search of Arctic wildlife, eyes open for the incredible Northern Lights.
Duration: 8 days Difficulty: Challenging
20. Adventure Cycling in Namibia
Ride through Namibia's dune desert beneath enormous open skies, cycle along the Skeleton Coast - the world's largest shipping graveyard - and stand on top of Spitzkoppe Mountain, the highest point in the country. End it all off with a safari, on the look out for lions, elephants and rhino.
Duration: 9 days Difficulty: Challenging
21. The Snowdon Challenge: Winter Edition, Wales
Take on one of the UK’s most rewarding mountain winter challenges in just one day. Bike 17km across Snowdonia National Park, trek 14km to the top of Mount Snowdon and kayak 5km round the stunning Llyn Padarn. 10-hours of unrivalled action in one of the UK’s wildest winter adventure playgrounds.
Duration: 2 days Difficulty: Challenging
22. Arctic Survival Challenge in Finland
And lastly, tackle the freezing temperatures of Finnish Lapland and learn how to survive an Arctic winter. You'll build your own snow shelter and spend the night out in the wilds, swim in an ice hole, journey through taiga forest on wilderness skis then hunker down in a Lapland cabin keeping watch for the aurora above.
Duration: 4 days Difficulty: Moderate
Feeling inspired? Check out our collection of 170 wild adventures, from one-nighters and weekenders to full weeks and longer.