There’s something to be said for small town pride. These adventure spots around the world—all with fewer than 10,000 full-time residents—may not have the global clout of adventure capitals like Cape Town, South Africa or Queenstown, New Zealand, but they certainly hold their own when it comes to delivering serious outdoor fun. We love them for the multitude of thrills they offer, from freediving and kiteboarding to mountain biking and backcountry skiing, but we also chose them for their indie spirits, local vibe, and big-city worthy food and culture.
Here are our favorite small adventure towns around the world, from coastal enclaves to alpine hamlets.
Crested Butte, Colorado
Population: 1,662
Why We Love It: This free-spirited mountain town in the shadow of the Elk Mountains remains fiercely independent. Its lack of big brand resorts and chains have earned it the reputation as Colorado’s last great ski town, and we’d agree. CB’s has a soulful, gritty charm that harkens back to a different era. The historic downtown is full of antique mining relics and quirky businesses. And every season delivers fresh adventures set against a backdrop of epic scenery.
Signature Adventures: We could debate endlessly whether CB’s mountain bike or ski scene is better, so we’ll call it a draw. Known as the North American birthplace of inbound extreme skiing and riding, Crested Butte boasts more than 560 acres of expert terrain. Beyond the resort, local outfitter Irwin Guides offers cat skiing on 1,000 acres of powder-blessed terrain just ten miles out of town (private cat for up to 10 people costs $8,500 or buy a single seat for $850). The Crested Butte Nordic Center maintains nearly 35 miles of trails that can be accessed with a $25 day pass. The six miles of trails at the Town Ranch and on the Rec Path can be accessed for free. From May through October, the mountain biking is all-time, with 750-miles of well-maintained singletrack to explore. From rugged descents through pine forests to flowy singletrack that rolls through meadows, there’s a trail for every ability.
Where to Eat: Get your caffeine fix at Camp 4 Coffee, a local institution hidden within a cabin covered in old license plates. Carb up at the Secret Stash, a dive-y pizza spot with creative topping combos like black mission figs and blue cheese. Splurge on a locally-sourced, live-fire dinner at hotspot Two Twelve.
Where to Stay: Slopeside Elevation Hotel & Spa has roomy digs, an on-site gear rental shop, a killer Mexican restaurant, and a lounge in partnership with local film company Matchstick Productions that hosts film screenings (from $230 a night).
Wanaka, South Island, New Zealand
Population: 7,521
Why We Love It: Queenstown may own bragging rights as being the “adrenaline-junkie capital of the world,” but just one hour’s drive south, you’ll find the equally thrilling (and far less crowded) lakefront town of Wanaka. A local secret of sorts, this is where Kiwis head for outdoorsy holidays. Centered around an azure alpine lake and surrounded by a network of more than 460 trails, Wanaka is a haven for kayaking, hiking, mountain biking, and skiing. It’s also a great base for exploring Mount Aspiring National Park, a convenient stopover if you’re hitting Mount Cook National Park. High-octane thrills range from canyoning and skydiving to tackling the world’s highest waterfall cable climb. The food scene is next-level. With four craft breweries, eight wineries, and the iconic Cardrona distillery, you’ll have plenty of options to toast your day’s adventures.
Signature Adventures: The Southern Alps are an alpinist’s playground, with 24 peaks above 9,842 feet. Have ambitions of making an ascent? Wanaka Mountain Guides leads multi-day expeditions to the bucket-list summits of Mount Cook (New Zealand’s highest peak at 12,217 feet) and Mount Aspiring (a respectable 9,950-feet). Whether hiking or biking, the Wanaka Trails app will help you discover the perfect route. Roy’s Peak Track, a nearly 10-mile out-and-back trek, is our pick for a day-hike with unbeatable panoramic views. Via ferrata fans shouldn’t miss Wild Wire’s Lord of the Rungs Climb (from $114). The world’s highest waterfall cable climb traverses 1,476 vertical feet and offers three levels of challenge (Level 3 is worth it just for the helicopter ride back to the base from the top).
Where to Eat: Start the morning right with an iced long black, fresh pressed juice, and hearty breakfast sammy at Scroggin Cafe and Eatery. Locally loved for its hyper-seasonal menu, Muttonbird is the type of neighborhood spot you’d dine at once a week if you lived in Wanaka. Kika’s menu is made for sharing; the well-curated wine list showcases some gems from the Central Otago region.
Where to Stay: Named for its location on the shores of Lake Wanaka, Edgewater Hotel has mountain bike rentals, hot tubs, and sauna for post-adventure R&R (from $286). Just 15 minutes outside of town, Cross Hill Lodge & Domes is a lake-facing glamping site with Instagram-worthy geo domes equipped with luxe touches like gas fireplaces and pod coffee machines (from $340).
Highlands, North Carolina
Population: 1,119
Why We Love It: Nestled between Nantahala and the Pisgah National Forests, Highlands ticks all of the boxes for outdoor adventures: hidden waterfalls, swimming holes, trout-packed streams, and endless options for hiking trails. But we also love that you can cap your day with craft beers, live blue grass, and farm-to-table meals thanks to the town’s vibrant cultural scene. Stroll the galleries, artisanal coffee shops, and locally-owned restaurants of buzzy Main Street and you may consider relocating.
Signature Adventures: Hiking the two-mile Whiteside Mountain Trail is a Highlands right of passage. You can complete the loop in around an hour, but give yourself an extra 30 minutes to snap photos of the beautiful vistas of Lake Keowee and the Nantahala Mountains. Highland Hiker is your one-stop-shop for gear and day-hike recommendations. Brookings Fly Shop has been guiding anglers on wade and float trips for over 35 years.
Where to Eat: A local favorite, the Ugly Dog Pub is known for its craft beers, live music, flatbread pizzas and burgers, and dog-friendly patio. Before a big day out, stop by Mountain Fresh Grocery for provisions.
Where to Stay: Part of Marriott Bonvoy’s new Outdoor Collection, Trailborn Highlands has summer camp vibes (think outdoor firepit, guided excursions, free bikes) and a Southern comfort food-focused restaurant housed in a historic log cabin (from $153). The newly renovated Outpost Inn has 14 uniquely decorated rooms thoughtfully curated with books and a turntable and record collection (from $189).
Revelstoke, British Columbia, Canada
Population: 8,275
Why We Love It: There’s a reason snowboarding legend Travis Rice chose Revelstoke as the stage for his visionary Yeti Natural Selection Tour event. Home to the most vertical in North America (5,620 feet), Revelstoke Mountain Resort is a freeski haven. Its rowdy terrain is set within one of the planet’s only inland temperate rainforests and receives a whopping 400 to 500 inches of snow each season. Beyond the ski resort, you’ll find hot springs, rafting, kayaking, paddleboarding, mountain biking, hiking, and more. And downtown Revelstoke still retains mom-and-pop charm and a strongly local ethos, plus loads of local art (don’t miss the art allies).
Signature Adventures: Revelstoke Mountain Resort is a powder playground spanning 3,121 acres; fresh turns in North Bowl are worth rising early for (single-day adult lift tickets from $128; on the Ikon Pass). Revy is nicknamed the heli-skiing capital of the world. Selkirk Tangiers has 45-plus years of experience and a tenure that spans a half-million acres (one-day from $1,777). When the snow melts, the rivers come alive. Conquer 16 miles of rapids on the glacier-fed Illecillewaet River with Apex Rafting (Half-day trips from $120).
Where to Eat: Set within a 100-plus year-old school house, Old School Eatery’s global menu runs the gamut of Thai seafood curry and Jamaican Fish Escovitch. Bring your appetite to Big Eddy Pub, a downtown staple known for its poutine and massive burgers.
Where to Stay: Revelstoke’s only ski-in/ski-out hotel, Sutton Place, has 200 condo-style units, from studios to three-bedroom suites, with fireplaces and full kitchens (from $142). Eleven Revelstoke Lodge has a prime address in a historic building in the heart of downtown. In summer, you can book single rooms (from $168). In winter, it’s worth breaking the bank on Eleven’s heli-ski packages, offered in tandem with local operator Kingfisher (from $11,436 based on 1-3 guests).
Chamonix, France
Population: 10,000
Why We Love It: One of the original adventure towns, Chamonix has been luring type 2-fun seekers since 1760, when a Genevois scientist offered a prize for the first ascent of Mont Blanc, the highest peak in the Alps at 15,771 feet. A proving ground for both freeskiers and ultra-runners, it hosts major annual events including Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (the Super Bowl of trail running) and the Freeride World Tour Qualifier. The town is straight out of a storybook and the region’s signature Savoyard fare (think raclette and tartiflette) is exactly what you’ll crave after a long day on the slopes.
Signature Adventures: Be warned, it’s hard to ski anywhere else after you’ve experienced the slopes of Chamonix (one-day adult lift ticket from $115). The Aiguille du Midi—the highest cable car in France—is the starting point for the descent of the storied Vallee de Blanche (tickets from $70). The mythical off-piste route covers 12 miles with 8,858 feet of descent and requires a guide. Even if you don’t ski, it’s worth the ride just to soak in the stunning vistas of Mont Blanc at the top and to visit the highest mountaineering museum ever built. Endurance junkies have their pick of trails. Compagnie des Guides can tailor guided runs to your goals and training ambitions (from $66).
Where to Eat: Fuel your morning adventures at Moody Coffee Roasters. Les Gaufres de Chamonix has been serving irresistible waffles from a humble hut since 1965. The summer barbecue at lakeside La Crémerie des Aiguilles is not to be missed. La Folie Douce wrote the rules of après ski.
Where to Stay: The chalet-chic, family-run Hotel Les Grands Montets has an unrivaled location between Mont-Blanc, Aiguille du Midi, Argentiere glacier, and Aiguille du Chardonnet. Guests have complimentary access to the steam room, sauna, and outdoor hot tub with Mont Blanc views (from $167).
La Ventana, Baja California Sur, Mexico
Population: 306
Why We Love It: While much of Baja California Sur feels discovered, this windsport paradise along the Sea of Cortez has retained a rustic, laidback charm. Located around a 40-minute drive southeast of La Paz and two-and-a-half hours north of Los Cabos International Airport, it’s easy to reach and is a great base for exploring the region. Wind is La Ventana’s calling card, but you’ll also find super fun single track, miles of hiking, and Jacques Cousteau-worthy scuba diving and free diving. You can swim with the largest aggregation of mobula rays on the planet here April through June on a 5-day expedition trip with Dive Ninjas. Bonuses: Cheap and tasty tacos can be found on nearly every corner and cultural events like Wondergrass and the new Oceans Film Festival.
Signature Adventures: Haven’t figured out your wind specialty yet? Saladita La Ventana specializes in everything from kiteboarding and wing foiling to parawinging and SUP. Rent gear or sign up for group or private lessons that range from one to seven days and are tailored to ability levels (from $240). Elevation Kiteboarding runs three-day women’s kiteboarding camps (from $875) as well as single-day lessons (from $350). If you prefer underwater adventures, La Ventana Dive Center runs snorkel trips to the sea lion colony at La Reina (from $160), scuba diving expeditions to top sites like Cerralvo Island (from $150), and two-day spear fishing tours to hunt marlin, dorado, and tuna (from $800). On land, you’ll find fast flowy single track; rent a bike and score trail tips at Aqua Ventana (from $40 for a half-day).
Where to Eat: For a small town, La Ventana is ripe with choice when it comes to coffee spots. Our pick: Silvestre, a cafe-art gallery that serves perfect pour over coffee and homemade baked goods (the cinnamon rolls are dangerously good). Pólvora is a day-to-night spot that serves expertly crafted coffee and cocktails alongside a Mexican-fusion menu.
Where to Stay: ChiloChill Glamping Resort has a beachfront setting surrounded by cardon cactus-lined trails (from $100). On-site gear rentals include Santa Cruz e-bikes, kayaks, paddleboards, and snorkel equipment. Casa Tara is a postcard-worthy, white-washed boutique hotel with an emphasis on wellness and yoga (from $135).
Scarborough, South Africa
Population: 1,075
Why We Love It: Scarborough is an oasis of coastal calm just a 45-minute drive south of the bustle of Cape Town. The last settlement on the Atlantic side of the Cape Peninsula, this boho enclave of surfers and artists is tucked between the mountains, sea, and Cape Point Nature Reserve. Surfers, windsurfers, and kiteboarders flock here when conditions are right (which they often are) and at low tide, the unspoiled beaches are abundant with pools of colorful marine life. The village is backed by trails that wind through the fynbos-covered hillsides and myriad more routes like 15 minutes away within the protected boundaries of Cape Point.
Signature Adventures: Big wave world champ Ian Armstrong and his family offer surf lessons and tours along the coast through their company Scarborough Surf. Part of the Table Mountain National Park UNESCO World Heritage Site, Cape Point Nature Reserve is laced with trails, like the three-mile, out-and-back Olifantsbos Shipwreck Trail. Treks double as safaris, as animals like ostriches, eland, zebra, and caracal call the reserve home (entry fee $26).
Where to Eat: The Village Hub is Scarborough’s culinary nucleus, home to a deli, coffee roaster, bakery, juice bar, ice cream shop, and an Italian restaurant and seafood eatery. Three-meal-a-day Camelrock Restaurant is known for its theme nights, like its Sunday Fish Braii and Jazz Jam Session.
Where to Stay: You have your pick of home rentals, from stylish, ocean-view cottages to treehouse-inspired cabins. If you prefer a hotel, Last Word Long Beach is set on a five-mile stretch of sand with good surf and is just 15 minutes north (from $490).
Jen Murphy, a regular Outside contributor, splits her time between Maui, Hawaii, and Boulder, Colorado. She regularly contributes travel stories to Bloomberg, Condé Nast Traveler, Travel and Leisure, and the New York Times, among other publications. She edited a number of Wildsam travel guides, including the New England and Hawaii editions. She’s had some of her favorite adventures in small, off-the-beaten path towns, including Scarborough, South Africa, and La Ventana, Mexico.
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