Backroads Media Center: Press Releases

Backroads, the leader in active travel, today celebrates its most tenured Trip Leader, Paul Smith, as he accomplishes a professional milestone. Smith was hired in 1990, and since then he’s taken more than 6,352 guests on vacations in 18 regions in the U.S. plus 15 countries worldwide. What started as a part-time job turned into a lifelong passion and a storied career with the company, culminating in him becoming the first Backroads Trip Leader to lead 400 active adventures.

Backroads, the leader in active travel today announced the expansion of Women’s Adventures with more than 40 Walking & Hiking trips and 125 departures available in 2025. Exclusively for women—solo travelers, mothers, daughters, sisters and friends—Women’s Adventures were an instant hit after the announcement last fall, with 2024 trips quickly booking to capacity.

Backroads, the leader in active travel, today announced the debut of Unplugged Bike Tours for cyclists looking to explore the world on two wheels under their own power, with no electric-assist, in the company of other riders who enjoy doing the same.

Backroads, the leader in active travel, today announced the release of Explore the World the Backroads Way, its highly anticipated 285-page color catalog of Biking, Walking &am

Backroads, the leader in active travel, today announced hundreds of holiday and winter trips from snowshoeing in Yellowstone and hiking in Patagonia

Backroads, the leader in active travel, today announced the release of Private Reserve, a collection of trips and dates available exclusively for private bookings for a limited time, through December 31.

Backroads, the leader in active travel, today announced more than two dozen new trips for 2025, including active European journeys from Dublin to Belfast, the Bavarian Alps to the Dolomites, Andalucía to the Algarve, and a Walking & Hiking trip in the renowned Be

Backroads, the leader in active travel, today announced eight exciting new Walking & Hiking Trips in its Women’s Adventures collection for 2025–perfect for girlfriend getaways, mother/daughter vacations and female guests traveling on their own.

Backroads, the leader in active travel, today announced new 2025 Multi-Adventure Trips for families in the Netherlands & Belgium, Scotland & England, Croatia & Slovenia and along the Camino de Santiago. Also debuting next year is the company’s first North American Snow Adventure for Families with Young Adults 20s & Beyond, a growing demographic in family adventure travel.

Backroads, the leader in active travel, today announced a new Greece & Croatia Ocean Cruise Multi-Adventure Tour from Athens to Dubrovnik for 2025 aboard Emerald, Condé Nast Traveler Reader’s Choice award-winner for Small Ship Cruise Line. The trip features a bike ride to the ruins of Delphi, hiking above the UNESCO Heritage Site of Kotor, Montenegro, and kayaking off the shores of the Greek island of Lefkada, among other activities.

Under Canvas, the leader in upscale, outdoor hospitality, and Backroads, the leader in luxury active travel, announced today their plan to significantly expand the adventures available to travelers across U.S. National Parks, aiming to more than triple the amount of their collaborative experiences over the next two years.

Backroads, the leader in active travel, today released its top ten active travel trends for 2024. Based on early guest bookings, Biking, Walking & Hiking and Multi-Adventure activities are equally popular.  More people are seeking unique and adventurous outdoor experiences and Backroads is meeting this demand by offering even more choice in more destinations for all kinds of travelers. 

Backroads Top Ten Active Travel Trends for 2024

Backroads, the leader in active travel, today announced a new collaboration with Trust for Public Land (TPL) and affirmed its continued support of World Bicycle Relief (WBR) and the Adventure Travel Conservation Fund (ATCF).

Backroads, the leader in active travel, today announced an expansion of its top management with the promotion of Avery Hale Smith to Executive Vice President. Hale Smith joined Backroads in 2020 to head up the Sales and Guest Experience departments after previous leadership roles in new business development and customer experience at EVERFI and ClearPoint Strategy.

Backroads, the leader in active travel, today announced the launch of Women’s Adventures, a new offer exclusively for women travelers. Since 1979 when Backroads was founded by Tom Hale, more than 50% of its executive team and leader population have been women. The launch of Backroads Women’s Adventures, inspired by his wife Liz and daughter Avery, is a highly anticipated addition that celebrates this commitment, as well as the unique camaraderie and chemistry of all-women groups. 

Backroads, the leader in active travel, today announced the launch of Dolce Tempo Easygoing Active tours for Families with Older Teens & 20s and Adult Kids 20s & Beyond. Dolce Tempo tours feature the same expertly designed itineraries of other Backroads active adventures at a slower pace with even more down time to enjoy the pool, explore town and engage in all the delights of a destination.

Backroads, the leader in active travel, today announced an impressive 36 new active adventures for 2024—nearly triple that of typical years past—with dates open for sale immediately. This also marks the earliest in the company’s history that it has released a full collection of new trips for a coming year. With novel offerings in Biking, Multi-Adventure, Walking & Hiking and Dolce Tempo Tours, Backroads is well positioned to indulge travelers’ increased appetite for getting out and exploring the world.

Backroads, the leader in active travel, today announced its support of World Bicycle Relief’s (WBR) mission to empower women and girls throughout the world by participating in the organization’s annual Pedal to Empower ride on World Bicycle Day.

Backroads, the leader in active travel, today released their top picks for a last-minute family adventure – the perfect antidote to summer doldrums and vacation procrastination. With a few clicks of the mouse or a phone call, families open the door to a world of possibility and discovery in iconic US national parks, such as Yosemite, Yellowstone, the Great Smoky Mountains and the Grand Canyon. Or they can venture farther from home to discover the natural beauty and rich cultures of France, Iceland, Switzerland and Canada, among other Backroads destinations.

AmaWaterways and Backroads - together leaders in active river cruising - today announced an exciting 2023 and 2024 lineup of more than 140 European river cruise departures featuring Backroads enhanced biking tours. During this eighth year of collaboration, guests can join these designated departures that bring Backroads best-in-class bike adventure tours to the Dordogne, Garonne and Gironde Rivers of Bordeaux; the Danube, Douro, Rhine and Seine Rivers; and the Dutch & Belgian Waterways.

Backroads, the leader in active travel, today announced a featured list of the most romantic hotel properties for couples to stay on a biking, hiking or multi-adventure vacation with the company.

Backroads, the leader in active travel, today announced its 2023 top adventure travel trends based on guest bookings to date. From people reserving trips further in advance than in prior years to increased demand for active adventure vacations for all ages and fitness abilities, Backroads is tracking interesting shifts in how and where people want to travel next year.

Backroads, the leader in active travel, today announced the 2023 launch of a new Multi-Adventure Tour in Argentina’s Andes, exploring the renowned Mendoza Wine Country region. The itinerary – which includes biking, hiking, wine tasting and luxurious boutique lodging among lush vineyards in the shadow of the snow-covered Andes mountains – is the latest addition to the company’s offerings in Argentina’s Patagonia, where Backroads has been running trips since 1995.