Adventurers choose their favourite Europe nature spots

In partnership with Keen — Daniel Neilson, James Forrest and Alan Hinkes reveal the areas that are closest to their hearts – and why it’s so important that we keep them protected.

Getting outside – whether its a weekend hike or a quick jaunt around your local park – is vital for your general wellbeing. Studies have shown that being around nature can help to raise your mood, boost self-esteem and soothe mental health issues (and that’s not even touching on the physical benefits).

Because of this, it’s more important than ever that we look after it. The natural world is under threat from a variety of dangerous forces: from rising temperatures and sea levels to toxic littering and plastic pollution. 

Looking after nature is part of Keen’s DNA. The brand – which claims to be “born for a life outside” – has spent years striving to protect both their local community and the outdoor world more generally. This summer, for example, they joined forces with Plastic Whale and Cal Major for a plastic retrieval boat tour; collecting over 199kg of litter from Europe’s waterways.

Their latest initiative, which launched on September 8 this year (World Literacy Day), sees them team up with Sherpa Adventure Gear for a new limited-edition shoe, the Innate. From each sale, Keen and Sherpa will donate €15 to charity Room to Read®, which focuses on literacy and gender equality in developing countries. Each €15 donation will go specifically towards children in Nepal, with an ultimate goal of teaching 1000 to read and write for one year.

To celebrate the launch, we spoke to outdoorsman and travel writer Daniel Neilson, James Forrest who broke records by climbing all 446 mountains in England in Wales in half a year, and Alan Hinkes, the only British mountaineer to claim all 14 Himalayan eight-thousanders.  Three modern-day adventurers with a passion for the outdoors, we spoke to them about the natural spots that are closest to their hearts, and why it’s so important that we keep them protected. 

Grossglockner mountain, Austria

“Austria’s highest mountain is a beautiful mountain, two pleasingly pointy peaks with vertiginous drops either side. I climbed it a few years ago, roped up and with a guide. It was a bit scary, but walking these mountains, wrapped up against the frigid winds, forever changed how I viewed the Alps. Bewildering beauty of course, but it opened up the possibilities of walking among them, staying at cosy huts most with fine food and fine wine as well. What’s not to like?” – Daniel Neilson

Grossglockner

Hopegill Head, England

“This fine mountain walk in the north-western fells of the Lake District is one that beautifully builds in excitement. A tranquil start on the slopes of Swinside is followed by an enjoyable ascent of the hump of Ladyside Pike, before climaxing with an exhilarating scramble on slabs of naked rock to the 2,526ft top. It’s my favourite place to escape and unwind. 

The Lake District also has Ennerdale, which is my favourite valley in the area. Rising abruptly out of the coastal plains of West Cumbria, Ennerdale is a remote, wild place with a unique character. It somehow feels more like Scotland, New Zealand or Scandinavia than North-West England – and, best of all, it is the ideal starting point to climb two of Lakeland’s most iconic mountains, Pillar and Steeple.” – James Forrest

James Forrest in the Lake District

Tatra Mountains, between Poland and Slovakia

“Until the early ’90s, most of the region around the Tatra Mountains was in the Eastern Bloc, so it was difficult to really explore there. I was lucky enough to go, and it was much quieter then. You had to get specially invited to mountain clubs and ski resorts. Now its much busier, but there are still loads of great walks and views.” – Alan Hinkes

Tatra Mountains

Cairngorms National Park, Scotland

“Britain’s only Arctic-alpine landscape is where I find myself returning to again and again. It doesn’t have the gnarled peaks of the West Coast of Scotland, but these ancient mountains have an immovable grandeur unlike anywhere else in the UK. Wander along the Lairig Ghru, under two of the highest mountains in Britain, and be moved. Perhaps stay in one of the bothies for a true Cairngorm experience.” – Daniel Neilson

Aviemore, Cairngorms, Scotland / Daniel Neilson

Allgäuer Hochalpen, Germany

“This national park is just outside of Sonthofen, in Bavaria. I used to go regularly, three to four weeks at a time, and I always thought it was fabulous. A lot of Europe is very developed, more so than Britain I think, with clearly marked and set-up footpaths. As a result, it feels harder to find places that are undiscovered – but you can still find spots that are quiet and more remote.” – Alan Hinkes

Allgäuer Hochalpen

An editorial partnership between Huck and Keen. 

Enjoyed this article? Like Huck on Facebook or follow us on Twitter


Ad

Latest on Huck

Elderly man with glasses, white hair, and suit; young woman with long brown hair playing electric guitar on stage in green jacket.
Activism

Bernie Sanders introduces Clairo at Coachella, urging young Americans to “stand up for justice”

Coachella charmed — The Vermont Senator praised the singer-songwriter for her efforts in raising awareness of women’s rights issues and Gaza.

Written by: Isaac Muk

Vans

The Changing Face Of Brooklyn, New York’s Most Colourful Borough

After three decades spent capturing stories around the world, Magnum Photographer Alex Webb finally decided to return home to Brooklyn – a place that champions chaos, diversity and community spirit.

Written by: Alex Webb / Magnum Photos

Black and white image of subway carriage interior with sleeping man seated on bench
Culture

The mundane bliss of New York’s subways in the ’70s

NYC Passengers 1976-1981 — During a very different decade in NYC, which bounced between rich creativity and sketchiness, photographer Joni Sternbach captured the idiosyncratic isolation found on its rail networks.

Written by: Miss Rosen

A man playing a guitar whilst a horse stands beside him in a rocky, moonlit landscape.
Music

Analogue Appreciation: lullahush

Ithaca — In an ever more digital, online world, we ask our favourite artists about their most cherished pieces of physical culture. Today, it’s Irish retro-futurist lullahush.

Written by: lullahush

Two people of unidentified gender intimately embracing and kissing on a bed.
Culture

Spyros Rennt captures connection and tenderness among Berlin’s queer youth

Intertwined — In the Greek photographer’s fourth photobook, he lays out spreads of togetherness among his friends and the German capital’s LGBTQ+ party scene.

Written by: Isaac Muk

Surfers against sewage protest box floating in water with people swimming around it.
© Alex Brown / Surfers Against Sewage
Sport

The rebellious roots of Cornwall’s surfing scene

100 years of waveriding — Despite past attempts to ban the sport from beaches, surfers have remained as integral, conservationist presences in England’s southwestern tip. A new exhibition in Falmouth traces its long history in the area.

Written by: Ella Glossop

Signup to our newsletter

Sign up to our newsletter to informed with the cutting edge of sport, music and counterculture, featuring personal takes on the state of media and pop culture from Emma Garland, former Digital Editor of Huck, exclusive interviews, recommendations and more.

Please wait...

Accessibility Settings

Text

Applies the Open Dyslexic font, designed to improve readability for individuals with dyslexia.

Applies a more readable font throughout the website, improving readability.

Underlines links throughout the website, making them easier to distinguish.

Adjusts the font size for improved readability.

Visuals

Reduces animations and disables autoplaying videos across the website, reducing distractions and improving focus.

Reduces the colour saturation throughout the website to create a more soothing visual experience.

Increases the contrast of elements on the website, making text and interface elements easier to distinguish.