3 beautiful nearby regions for adventure

At a glance

Tom de Dorlodot reveals 3 of his favourite nearby destinations for those who want to experience adventure differently, without going too far.

Tom de Dorlodot, adventurer and paraglider, reveals 3 of his favourite nearby destinations for those who want to experience adventure differently, without going too far.

Experiencing adventure differently

© John Stapels - Slovenia

Ever since I started paragliding, I've been travelling the world in search of the most beautiful places to fly. When I say the most "beautiful places", I mean those untouched, preserved sites still little known to humans. These places speak to me because they remind me how magnificent nature is, but also how fragile... Having the chance to fly over still pristine mountains or deserts makes me want to protect our environment so that future generations can also witness (and enjoy) the beauty of our planet. I quickly wondered how I could leave as little trace as possible during my trips. Travelling clean has become an important responsibility, and I'd like to share with you a few tips you can put into practice on your next trips.

One thing I realised is that you don't have to go far to feel a real change of scenery. In Europe, there's a wealth of destinations to discover! Starting with your own country ;-)

My 3 favourite destinations in Europe

Belgium: the Transardennaise

© Tom de Dorlodot - Transardennaise

The Transardennaise is a 160 km hike across the Ardennes in 7 stages, linking La Roche-en-Ardenne to Bouillon, via Saint-Hubert and Nassogne. It's a magnificent route. I've done it on foot and even by mountain bike! A 100% local, 100% clean and very low-cost activity! I'd recommend doing it at the start of autumn: the colours are stunning and the weather is still mild.
Remember to bring: a tent, a backpack, a sleeping bag, a good pair of hiking boots, walking poles, a good Gore-Tex jacket, and good organic sun cream.

You'll find all the information on the Transardennaise on the following website: http://walloniebelgiquetourisme.be/fr-be/content/la-transardennaise-de-la-roche-en-ardenne-a-bouillon-en-7-etapes

Slovenia: from Triglav to the Soca river

© John Stapels - Slovenia

Slovenia was my best discovery of 2015. We had the chance to go there on a project where we took 4 young people to fulfil their adventure dream: setting off from the highest point in Slovenia all the way to the sea.

For me, Slovenia is the New Zealand of Europe. This country has an incredible natural richness. I'd strongly recommend climbing all the way to the summit of Triglav. The climb is partly done via a Via Ferrata (easy/medium level) up to the Triglav Lodge at Kredarica. It's the highest mountain hut in the country (2,515m), and the food is excellent! The next morning, you only have a few short hours left to reach the summit. The view is magnificent!

For this experience to be a real success and risk-free, I'd always recommend going with a good guide. On the Explore and Share platform, you'll find the guide that best suits you.

The Soca river (138 km) is Slovenia's most beautiful river. With its transparent blue-green colour running through the mountains, it's a real gem. Travelling it by packraft (a very light inflatable kayak) is a true joy.

The Pyrenees

© Tom de Dorlodot - Pyrenees

I'm passionate about vol bivouac (fly-camping). Making long crossings of mountain ranges by paraglider, entirely self-sufficient, is for me the best way to disconnect and recharge!
A few years ago, I decided to cross the Pyrenees solo. I set off from the Hondarribia lighthouse on the Atlantic coast, all the way to the Cap de Creus lighthouse on the Mediterranean. The Pyrenees are criss-crossed with long-distance hiking trails (GR), which is always handy if you don't want to get lost. ;-)

As for gear, I just took a small backpack with me containing my paraglider and a bit of money. I'd stop in the lovely little villages to stock up on food. For water, I drank from the springs, and at night I slept wrapped up in my paraglider. If conditions looked extreme, there are plenty of lovely little mountain huts to spend the night in. This trip has become one of my fondest memories, on top of having zero impact on the environment. I hitchhiked to Spain and came back by train.
Read Tom's article about this adventure by clicking here.

Offsetting your CO2 emissions

Of course, even though I try to avoid flying as much as possible, I sometimes have to take a plane when I go chasing a paragliding altitude record in the Himalayas, or when I go to open up new flying spots in Africa. In that case, I work with CO2 Logic.

CO2 Logic is committed to offsetting all the CO2 emissions produced by your travels. Their plan is effective and tailor-made. Depending on your activity, they'll offer you the best solution. You can find all the information on their website https://www.co2logic.com/fr

Have a good trip!

Tom

If you'd like more good tips to reduce your ecological footprint, read the following articles:

Find more articles by Tom de Dorlodot by clicking here.