The Scottish Highlands have been named the third-best active 'coolcation' destination in Europe, according to new research from sports travel insurance provider SportsCoverDirect. The region beat the likes of the Austrian Tyrol, Norway's Lofoten Islands and Valais in the Swiss Alps.
The study found that 65 per cent of holidaymakers now prefer to avoid travelling during the hottest months of the year, following another summer of record-breaking temperatures. Instead, they are opting for milder destinations, swapping sun-lounger poolside trips for active walking and cycling adventures.
How the ranking was calculated
SportsCoverDirect analysed 30 of Europe's most popular adventure destinations, ranking each on average summer temperature and humidity, hiking and cycling trail density, and travel time from the UK.
The Highlands scored highly due to its combination of comfortable temperatures, dense trail networks and unbeatable accessibility. The region is best known for its rugged mountains, mesmerising landscapes and breathtaking lochs. Scotland also offers the NC500 road trip loop, allowing travellers to visit all the different must-see areas across the region within the course of days.
Top 10 destinations
At the top spot was the Mont Blanc region in France, with over 217 hiking and cycling trails per 100km, crowning it the biggest adventure spot on the list. The main hub of Chamonix is reachable from London in under three hours via Geneva.
The Åre & Jämtland Mountains in Sweden scored second place. The mountains are famed for world-class alpine skiing, Scandinavia's largest mountain bike park, the iconic Jämtland Triangle hiking trail, and natural sights like the Tännforsen waterfall.
Scotland was not the only UK spot to bag a place, as the Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park in Wales took the fourth spot, while Connemara in Ireland also made the top ten.
The top 10 destinations for an adventurous 'coolcation' in Europe are:
- Mont Blanc Region, France - Alps
- Åre & Jämtland Mountains, Sweden - Nordics
- Scottish Highlands - UK & Ireland
- Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park, Wales - UK & Ireland
- Austrian Tyrol - Austria
- French Pyrenees, France - Pyrenees
- Lofoten Islands, Norway - Nordics
- Hohe Tauern National Park, Austria - Alps
- Valais, Switzerland - Alps
- Connemara, Ireland - UK & Ireland
Why accessibility matters
Chris Trotman, Head of Sales & Underwriting at SportsCoverDirect, said: "Destinations like the Scottish Highlands and Snowdonia ranked so highly not just because of the weather, but because travellers can be out on the trails within a few hours of leaving home, rather than losing a day of their trip to travel.
"That's a real shift in how people are planning active holidays, showing that they're prioritising time spent doing the activity itself, not just reaching a beautiful location.
"Whether you're heading to the Highlands, the Alps or venturing further afield, it's important to make sure your travel insurance actually covers the activities you're planning. Standard travel insurance often doesn't cover specialist hiking, cycling or mountaineering activities, which is particularly crucial when you're at a high altitude, off marked trails, or on multi-day routes."
