The Best Adventure Outdoor Festivals for Mountain Lovers
There is more to festival season than muddy fields and overpriced warm lager. Across Europe, a new breed of outdoor festivals is taking over – where mountain trails replace dancefloors and summit sunrises beat headline acts. These are not your average weekends in a field. We are talking high altitude gatherings where adventure is the headline act – think trail running, alpinism, mountain biking, wild swims, yoga and late night campfire sessions.
From the Lakes to the Alps, these are the best mountain festivals of the summer – each one a full send for anyone who prefers hiking boots to wellies and bivvy bags to backstage passes.
Trail Running and Mountain Missions
For those who would rather race a ridgeline than stand in a queue for falafel.
OMM Running Festival
31 May to 1 June, Lake District, UK
A family friendly camping weekend in the heart of the Lake District celebrating all things trail run, with various trail races, mountain skills sessions and fun workshops. Evenings involve a fascinating lineup of speakers, covering everything from adventure nutrition to racing psychology, plus there is live music, stretch and mobility sessions, and an all important Teddy Dash for the under fives.
👉 theomm.com/omm-festival
Stryne Festival
12 to 15 June, Stryn, Norway
Where adventure sports meet the chaos of a music festival. Climbers, skiers, bikers and slackliners gather for four days of spontaneous competitions, skills workshops and river rafting races. Expect mountain carnage, late night parties and maybe a wet sleeping bag.
👉 strynefestivalen.no
Alpine Arc’teryx Academy
3 to 6 July, Chamonix, France
A four day alpine education in the shadow of Mont Blanc. Join clinics, meet mountain pros and test your skills on real terrain before unwinding with film premieres and live music in the Alpine Village.
👉 chamonix.arcteryxacademy.com
Big Bikes, Bigger Descents
Mass starts, mega stoke and a whole lot of mountain carnage.
Megavalanche and Maxiavalanche
4 to 6 July, Alpe d’Huez
19 to 20 July, Auron
6 to 7 September, Ax 3 Domaines, France
This is not your average downhill race. Megavalanche starts high on a glacier and descends 2,600 metres over rock and snow with 1,500 riders jostling for position over 22 kilometres. Maxiavalanche offers a shorter, slightly more manageable version – elbows still very much required.
👉 ucc-sportevent.com
Ard Rock
25 to 27 July, Swaledale, UK
The UK’s rowdiest mountain bike weekender. Hit gnarly enduro trails in the Yorkshire Dales by day, then sink a pint, catch a band and geek out over kit with your trail mates by night.
👉 ardrock.co.uk
Mountain Vibes and Music Tribes
For those who pack a climbing rack and a speaker.
Base Camp Festival
4 to 7 July, Lake District, UK
Climbing, via ferrata, craft beers and fireside tales. By day, adventure. By night, stories and speakers. Base Camp bills itself as the UK’s friendliest outdoor festival. Hard to argue.
👉 basecampfestival.co.uk
Rocklette and Electrolette
2 to 10 August, Val de Bagnes
15 to 16 August, Verbier, Switzerland
Music and mountains at altitude. Rocklette serves up guitars and raclette, while Electrolette turns La Chaux into a 2,000 metre techno rave. Add in wine, cheese and valley views and you have got summer sorted.
👉 palpfestival.ch
Alpkit Big Shakeout
26 to 28 September, Peak District, UK
Stanage Edge climbing, Peak District singletrack, river dips and campfire vibes. Shakeout is a grassroots celebration of all things outdoors. All profits support the Alpkit Foundation’s mission to make the outdoors accessible for all.
👉 alpkit.com
Chill, Stretch, Repeat
Yoga, wellness and workshops with a side of summit views.
Mountain Yoga Festival
4 to 7 September, St Anton, Austria
Celebrating its tenth year, this four day gathering mixes yoga, meditation, mountain hikes and scenic workshops. Expect world class teachers, clean air and epic views of the Arlberg from your downward dog.
👉 mountainyogafestivalstanton.at
