Where to live and work, if you want access to academia, city culture, outdoor brands and amazing nature around the corner? We list ten leading European outdoor capitals where outdoor is a part of the city soul – and so should sustainability.

1. Annecy, France

A gateway to the French Alps, just ten miles from Chamonix, and the cradle of the French outdoor industry. A magnet for people who want to study and work in the outdoors – and continue in nature in their spare time (read more in the report).

2. Innsbruck, Austria

Tyrol’s capital Innsbruck attracts outdoor enthusiasts all year round. In 20 minutes, you can get from the beautiful city center to any of the surrounding 2000-meter peaks by public transport. And the cable car to the home mountain Nordkette starts in the middle of town.  Innsbruck is also a university city with many students and researchers.

3. Ljubljana, Slovenia

Ljubljana was named European Green Capital in 2016 and is the capital city in Europe with the most forest within its borders, after Oslo and Bern. Approximately 50% is real forest, and residents have over 500 square meters of green space per person to enjoy! It’s just over an hour’s train ride from the capital Ljubljana to the beautiful Julian Alps, for example.

4. Munich, Germany

In a couple of hours, you can reach several Alpine resorts by train, including the classic Kitzbühel. In ‘Germany’s number one outdoor city’ (with Frieburg as a competitor), brands like Lowa, Hanwag, Meindl and Deuter are headquartered. In the heart of Munich, you can also put on your wetsuit and head to the artificial river Eisbach with an artificial wave popular with the city’s surfers.

5. Oslo, Norway

Could Oslo be the capital city in the world with the highest number of shell jackets per capita? Probably. Surrounding the city is the huge Marka forest area, with lots of trails for hiking, cycling, running, and skiing. On weekends, Oslo residents flock by tram to Voksenkollen and other stations where the trails begin. Several Norwegian outdoor companies have their design departments in or near Oslo.

6. Sheffield, England

From a heavy industrial city to one of the UK’s leading outdoor cities, thanks to its proximity to the Peak District with its fantastic opportunities for climbing and other activities. For example, the Rab brand, with mountaineering in its blood, remains headquartered here. People even go bouldering on the town’s aged and weathered stone walls in places like Broomgrove Road and Mushroom Lane.

7. Silkeborg, Denmark

One of Denmark’s most beautiful cities surrounded by lush forests, high hills and some 50 lakes. The city lies in the middle of Jutland’s lake district – Søhøjlandet. Ancient forests stretch all the way into the town – a perfect place for bird watching, mushroom picking and insect research. Silkeborg also offers trails for trail running, mountain biking and hiking, and the Danish Outdoor Festival since 2015.

8. Trento, Italy

Trento, in Italy’s South Tyrol, ranks high on lists of cities with the best quality of life, thanks in part to the region’s heavy investment in sustainability and green technology. Living in Trento, the proximity to outdoor activities is also a major advantage. The city is as close to the Dolomites as it is to Lake Garda. The La Sportiva and Garmont brands are headquartered a few miles outside Trento.

9. Zurich, Switzerland

In competition with Bern, Zurich is the Swiss outdoor capital. The train network leads in all directions to large and small alpine ports. The lake, the river Limmat and the home mountain Uetliberg are three great playgrounds for outdoor lovers. World-leading universities, such as ETH, offer studies in sustainable design and more. Swiss companies like Mammut are headquartered in the region.

10. Östersund, Sweden

There are clusters of outdoor companies in both Stockholm and Gothenburg. But nowhere is the concentration as high as in Östersund (especially if you include the stretch along the E14 to Åre, Sweden’s largest ski resort), with brands such as Woolpower, Hilleberg, Lundhags and Trangia. In combination with tourism, outdoor recreation is a central part of the region. Ski touring, hiking, mountain running, fishing – the choice is yours.

 

Lead Photo: Annecy, (Credit: Richard Bord)