The Secret Adventure Spots You Should Visit Instead of Overcrowded UK Hotspots, UK Travel Expert Reveals
Adventure travel continues to grow in popularity in the UK, with as many as three-quarters (76%) of Brits trying new outdoor activities this year alone, reports share.
A positive sign, yes, but many of the country’s most iconic outdoor destinations have been feeling the strain of their increased popularity.
For example, Snowdon has been witnessing long queues to reach its summit, and the Lake District National Park having recently been struggling with over tourism.
Many travellers are now opting for “destination dupes” as a result. The travel trend, which boomed in 2024, sees people avoiding popular destinations in search of places more off the tourist-trodden route.
That’s why Ed Maughan, the Managing Director of UK holiday provider GroupAccommodation.com, has shared the lesser-known alternatives to popular outdoor hotspots that will deliver equally spectacular experiences but without the crowds.
The company offers adventure holidays and outdoor activity centre accommodations across the country, allowing Brits to easily access some of the country’s most adventurous and rural locations.
As we approach the summer season, with warmer weather already on the horizon, Maughan expects that Brits will be keen to visit quieter outdoor destinations in search of adventure in the coming months.
Ahead of this, Maughan recommends these alternatives for British adventurers:
Cadair Idris instead of Snowdon – Wales
Snowdon sees over 600,000 annual visitors, and it’s received its fair share of online publicity from travellers and locals alike sharing its congested trails and parking difficulties.
But, according to Maughan, just nearby is Cadair Idris – one of the highest mountains in southern Snowdonia – which offers equally breathtaking views across the national park, and dramatically fewer crowds.
“While a popular peak amongst keen hikers, it’s often overshadowed by Snowdon at the other end of Snowdonia National Park”, shares Maughan.
The mountain is surrounded by glacial lakes and has horseshoe ridges that hikers can navigate across its varied terrain. It takes 6 hours to hike to its summit and back via the Minnfordd Path, across 10 kilometres, which, while challenging, is the most popular route. Alternatively, the Pony Path is just 6 miles, taking around 5 hours to walk, and is easier.
Opt for High Street rather than Scafell Pike – Lake District
Instead of joining the procession of hikers on England’s highest peak of Scafell Pike, Maughan shares that people can explore the High Street Fell that lies less than an hour away by car.
With a summit that’s the highest in the eastern part of the Lake District National Park, it was named after the Roman road that ran over the summit. With excellent views of nearby Martindale and even Ullswater, the 13-mile hike takes roughly 6 hours for hikers departing from Haweswater, and they’ll pass through Nan Bield Pass to Wether Hill via two tarns, offering walking unlike anywhere else in the Lakes.
The broad, grassy plateau on the route is a gentler hiking experience than Scafell Pike’s distinct rocky terrain, but delivers equally stunning vistas, and even a glimpse of history with the remnants of its ancient Roman Road.
Select Beinn a’ Bheithir instead of Ben Nevis – Scotland
While Ben Nevis is a remarkable climb in the Scottish Highlands, making up one of the three peaks in the UK, Maughan shares that travellers should trade this famous peak and its crowds of over 100,000 annual climbers for a dramatic mountain near Ballachulish.
Only a short 35-minute drive from Ben Nevis, Beinn a’ Bheithir is a magnificent mountain featuring twin Munro summits: Sgorr Dhearg at 1,024 metres and Sgorr Dhonuill at 1,001 metres.
Its ridge walks rival its famous neighbour, with a name translating to “Mountain of the Thunderbolt,” reflecting its impressive presence overlooking Loch Leven with spectacular views in the direction of Glen Coe.
Its popular Schoolhouse Ridge route takes roughly 7-9 hours to conquer, which stretches over 15.5 kilometres and is a total ascent of 1387 metres. With excellent terrain overall, it has some narrower grassy and rocky ridges higher to the summit. It’s an equally rewarding climb, promising dramatic Scottish highland views.
Discover Picws Du instead of Pen y Fan in the Brecon Beacons – Wales
Pen y Fan in the world-famous Brecon Beacons National Park is the highest point in South Wales. But the western Brecon Beacons offers equally spectacular ridgelines that explorers shouldn’t hesitate to discover, according to Maughan.
One of his top examples is Picws Du, which is the second highest peak of the Carmarthen Fans in the west of the National Park. It is an emerald wedge offering exceptional views over the stunning Llyn y Fan Lake, with less of a stream of visitors than Pen y Fan attracts.
Hikers can embark on a 16-kilometre loop walk through the western Brecon Beacons, which not only takes in the peak of Picws Du, but also Fan Brycheiniog and Waun Lefrith. The route takes roughly 5-7 hours to complete and gives a deeper immersion into the natural beauty of the national park.
Paddle Loch Awe in Argyll instead of Loch Ness – Scotland
Loch Ness has gained a reputation worldwide for being a monster-spotting capital, where travellers flock to be in with a chance of sighting the fabled ‘Loch Ness Monster’ that is said to lurk beneath its waters.
But, Maughan believes travellers should trade its monster-spotting crowds and instead head for the atmospheric Loch Awe in one of Scotland’s most captivating regions.
The Loch is not only drenched in natural beauty, but history too, with Kilchurn Castle nestled at the edge of this third-largest freshwater loch, offering a spectacular man-made attraction that stands proudly beside the surrounding rugged countryside.
For paddleboarders or kayakers who would otherwise head onto Loch Ness, Loch Awe is a wonderful alternative with its island-dotted waters.
At 25 miles long, but with significantly fewer visitors than Loch Ness, you can explore numerous small islands and historic ruins, with a varied shoreline made of sheltered bays waiting to be explored, and amazing mountain backdrops.
Wild swim at Divers Cove in Godstone rather than Frensham Great Pond – England
As more Brits are braving taking a dip in some of the UK’s best lakes, rivers, and the sea, destinations like Frensham Great Pond are growing ever-popular, which sees an additional one to two thousand visitors per day in warmer months, causing concerns for overcrowding.
But, instead, heading to a Surrey hidden gem, only an hour away from Frensham Great Pond, offers crystal-clear waters in a former quarry setting with much fewer crowds for a more tranquil experience.
Divers Cove in Godstone’s spring-fed waters offer great visibility and a refreshing temperature year-round. With managed wild swimming and safety features like marked swim circuits and dedicated entry points, it’s perfect for both those new to open water swimming and more experienced adventurers.
Surf at Porthcawl or Freshwater West instead of Newquay Beaches – England
Cornwall is considered a surf paradise, with Newquay taking the crown as one of the best surf spots in the country (including Fistral Beach, which is globally recognised and hosts major competitions like Boardmasters Festival).
But, with this, it has grown increasingly competitive to visit Newquay for its surf, with crowded beaches and congestion leaving many travellers wanting to catch some waves disheartened.
Looking further north to Wales’ west coast, Maughan reveals, can offer reliable breaks and significantly more space on spectacular surfing beaches.
Porthcawl’s Rest Bay, for example, often has consistent conditions suitable for beginners and intermediate surfers alike, and Freshwater West in Pembrokeshire offers more challenging waves for experienced surfers along with impressive coastal scenery.
Both locations feature surf schools and rental facilities for those who don’t have their own equipment, but without the fight for space on the waves that characterise Cornwall’s most famous surfing destination.
“Travellers can visit these spectacular locations at any time rather than having to compete for space during peak seasons, and still embrace the most exceptional outdoor beauty that the UK has to offer”, Maughan adds.
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