It seems that going on holiday has always been associated with hotels, organised routes, and rather predictable getaways. However, with the rise of social media, another type of tourism has been growing that is much more connected to nature, self-sufficiency, and disconnection. Multi-day mountain routes, forest treks, bivouacking, remote camping, or bushcraft experiences have ceased to be reserved for extreme profiles.
More and more people prefer holidays where the goal is to break away from routine and face less controlled environments. There’s no need to cross half of Europe or survive for weeks isolated: it’s enough to change the way you travel. That said, this type of getaway requires significantly more preparation than a conventional trip, both physically and in terms of equipment.
Long-distance hiking: the most accessible option
For many, the gateway to survival tourism begins with multi-day hiking routes. Spain has quite well-known settings for this: The Pyrenees, Picos de Europa, Sierra Nevada, or certain routes in the north allow for covering great distances linking shelters, bivouacs, or small camping areas.
Here, the weight of the gear matters a lot. The backpack should only include what is necessary: technical clothing, hydration system, headlamp, basic first aid kit, and, of course, tools that can solve practical situations, such as a knife or compact cutting tool, whether for preparing food, cutting ropes, or handling materials.
Bushcraft and self-sufficient camping
Another modality that has become quite popular is bushcraft, focused on survival skills and learning to live in nature. On YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok, there are hundreds of videos with tips and tricks about these practices. The idea is to learn to manage using resources from the environment: making fire, setting up temporary shelters, or cooking outdoors. In these cases, the equipment becomes even more important.
Among the basic materials, durable clothing, water filtration systems, and multi-tools are essential. Also, products from Ranger cutlery, which are very popular among outdoor enthusiasts due to the variety of tactical knives, pocket knives, and gear for mountain and survival activities.
The choice of knife, in fact, is often one of the most controversial topics in these types of trips. Factors such as size, type of blade, or steel durability vary quite a bit depending on the intended use, so there is no universal option for everyone.
4×4 routes and off-road travel
Survival holidays do not always involve walking for days. There is also a profile closely linked to off-road travel, especially on routes through Morocco, Portugal, or certain rural areas of Spain where driving, camping, and self-sufficiency are combined.
In these types of experiences, the vehicle acts almost like a small mobile base. Roof tents, portable kitchens, auxiliary power systems, water tanks… Still, many of the tools remain the same as in other outdoor formats: powerful flashlights, emergency kits, navigation systems, and reliable cutting tools to handle unforeseen events during the route.
The rise of disconnection tourism
Part of the growth of these experiences is closely related to digital fatigue. Many people are specifically looking for places without constant coverage, fixed schedules, or continuous stimuli.
This change has also influenced the way of travelling. The goal is no longer so much about discovering new places, but rather regaining a sense of autonomy and disconnection. This is why activities that once seemed very niche have started to become normalised among quite different profiles: families, groups of friends, or travellers used to much more conventional getaways.
What gear is really worth it
One of the typical mistakes of beginners is thinking that more gear is better. In survival and outdoor, the philosophy is usually the opposite: less, but of higher quality.
There are a number of things that are almost always worth taking:
- Durable and easy-to-carry cutting tool.
- Headlamp with good battery life.
- Basic navigation system.
- Clothing prepared for sudden temperature changes.
- Compact first aid kit.
- Hydration system or water filtration.
- Comfortable backpack suited to the type of route.
That said, the environment dictates. A high mountain route in the middle of August is not the same as a muddy trail in a forest or camping with the thermometer below zero.
Preparation matters more than expensive gear
There is a tendency to think that these types of trips require huge investments in tactical gear or professional accessories. The reality is usually much less spectacular.
Much of the safety depends more on planning and common sense than on the price of the gear. Knowing the route, checking weather forecasts, notifying about the itinerary, or understanding one’s own limitations remains much more important than accumulating gadgets.
Precisely for this reason, many experienced enthusiasts recommend starting slowly: simple routes, short getaways, and basic but functional gear. From there, each experience allows you to better understand what is really needed and what always ends up at the bottom of the backpack without ever being used.
You may also like
