You might have heard that we have hostels on boats, aeroplanes and lighthouses, but did you know that we also have hostels in jungles, at the top of mountains or deep in the arctic wilderness?
Yes, Hostelling International can provide you with accommodation in some of the world’s most exciting, hidden and dramatic locations.
If it’s adventure you’re after, we’ve got hostels for you.
Blue Mountains YHA – Katoomba, Australia
Set in the heart of Katoomba, the Blue Mountains’ most visited town, Blue Mountains YHA is the perfect spot to stop at for adventures like canyoning, abseiling and bushwalking. The hostel is housed in a restored National Trust building and gives you quick access to landmarks such as the iconic Three Sisters rock formation, the much-visited Echo Point and the bush landscape of Leura. After a day spent in this adventure capital, you can put your feet up and relax by the log fire.
Hostel Ahopää – Inari/Kiilopää, Lapland, Finland
Experience the best of the arctic wilderness at this hostel next to Urho Kekkonen National Park. Take advantage of the hostel’s skiing, snowshoeing and hiking trips into the protected area, home to reindeer, wolves and golden eagles. You won’t have to go far for skiing tracks or hiking trails – they start just outside the hostel’s courtyard! Pluck up the courage to take a dip in an arctic fell stream before bathing in a genuine smoke sauna.
HI Hostel Safari Lodge – Santa Cruz, Bolivia
This rustic lodge in the hilly savannah might be just an hour away from Bolivia’s largest city, Santa Cruz, but the city sights and sounds couldn’t feel further away. The Amazon jungle meets the Chiquitania jungle here and a landscape of lagoons and rivers is occupied by a medley of birds, reptiles and mammals including chattering monkeys and maybe something bigger! A rescue centre for wild animals operates next to the lodge and welcomes hostellers that want to volunteer.
Feldberg/Schwarzwald – Black Forest, Germany
1,234 metres above sea level, at the summit of the highest mountain in Germany’s black forest you’ll find Feldberg/Schwarzwald hostel. This is a hostel for all seasons – during summer, explore the largest nature reserve in the Black Forest with its sparkling lakes and leafy scenery and hop in a cable car up to Feldberg Tower; when winter falls, if it’s skiing you’re after, you’re in luck! Let yourself loose on 50 kilometres of slopes, complete with snow cannons.
HI – Mosquito Creek Wilderness Hostel – Banff, Canada
Only the brave enter this wilderness hostel in the stunning Banff National Park in Canada and it’s not because of the potential to try out daredevil sports like ice climbing or cross country skiing. It’s not even because of the likelihood of sharing a back garden with wolves and bears – it’s because this hostel has really gone back to basics with no running water, electricity or flushing toilets. If you can sacrifice your hot shower every morning, this hostel will really bring you closer to nature.
If you’re a blogger with an adventurous spirit, the Big Blog Exchange is the perfect adventure for you! Find out how to enter the competition here.