Our Top Ideas For Your Summer Of Adventure

The 7stanes are a network of world-class mountain bike trail centres across the south of Scotland, each offering a unique mix of trails for all skill levels, from flowing singletrack and technical descents to family-friendly forest routes, set in breathtaking landscapes from the Borders to Dumfries and Galloway.

We highly recommend visiting any one (or all) of these trail centres this summer; Glentress being a personal favourite.

One of the best and most popular routes to ride coast to coast on a road bike in the UK is the Sea to Sea (C2C) Route, which runs from the Irish Sea at Whitehaven or Workington to the North Sea at Tynemouth or Sunderland.

It’s a classic route for road cyclists, with good tarmac sections and a mix of challenging climbs and scenic riding. The distance is 140 miles (225 km) with around 3,500m (11,500 ft) climbing, including the Lake District and Pennines. It typically takes 2–3 days for most cyclists, 1 day for strong riders

A Wainwright is one of 214 fells (hills or mountains) in the Lake District described in Alfred Wainwright’s famous guidebooks.

Taking on a Wainwright is a perfect summer adventure—whether it’s a gentle hike or a tough run, each different summit offers stunning views, fresh air, and a real sense of escape in one of the UK’s most beautiful landscapes. You can even link a few together for a big day out – We recommend Loughrigg Fell as a great one to get started on.

Bikepacking the South Downs Way offers 100 miles of stunning off-road riding along ancient chalk trails, stretching from Winchester to Eastbourne. The route features rolling hills, steep climbs, fast descents, and panoramic views across the South Downs National Park.

With plenty of bridleways, challenging terrain, and picturesque villages along the way, it’s a classic British bikepacking adventure that can be tackled over 2–3 days or pushed through in a single epic effort.

Trail running Mam Tor and the Great Ridge offers one of the most scenic and exhilarating routes in the Peak District, with rolling hills, sweeping views, and runnable grassy paths. The route takes you along the iconic ridge from Mam Tor to Lose Hill, with panoramic vistas over Edale and Hope Valley on either side. TIt’s typically around 10–12 km (6–7.5 miles), depending on the exact route you take.

It’s a perfect blend of short, sharp climbs, fast descents, and breathtaking scenery—ideal for both new and experienced trail runners.

Who said you can’t have an adventure in the city? Open water swimming in the Serpentine, located in Hyde Park, London, offers a unique and refreshing experience in the heart of the city.

The Serpentine Swimming Club, established in 1864, is the oldest swimming club in Britain and hosts daily swims in the Lido area. A great way to rack up some adventure minutes each week.

A place we’re very familiar with; the gravel riding at Kielder Forest offers some of the best off-road cycling in the UK, with over 100 miles of smooth, well-maintained forest tracks winding through vast woodlands and around Kielder Water, the largest man-made lake in Northern Europe. The terrain is mostly non-technical but scenic, with rolling hills, sweeping descents, and big open skies—ideal for both beginners and experienced gravel riders.

We highly recommend camping, and allowing a few days to explore the local area.