Cool forests and volcanic trails: The art of radical slow travel

Sunday, 19 July 2026 10:41

For a long time, we measured the value of travel in kilometres. How many countries did we visit in a week? How many landmarks did we tick off? How many photos did we take? However, sustainable tourism increasingly asks a different question: how well did we get to know the place we visited?

Slow travel isn’t about moving slowly; it’s about being present. It’s about driving less, walking more, spending more time with local communities, and making choices that benefit both us and the destinations we visit. This mindset perfectly aligns with I-DEST’s mission: to help make travel decisions that preserve our natural and cultural heritage for the long term.

Slowing down isn’t a loss, it’s a gain

When walking along a forest trail or climbing a mountain ridge, our sense of time subtly shifts. We stop thinking about the next activity and start noticing the scent of the pine forest, how the light changes through the leaves, or the sounds of birds in the early morning.

Research shows that the microclimate of forests and the natural essential oils released by trees have a positive effect on stress levels. It’s no wonder that many countries are adopting the practice of ‘forest bathing’ to support mental well-being.

The first step to radical slow travel is often surprisingly simple: put your phone away. Not because technology is bad, but because constant online presence can prevent us from truly being in the moment.

Nature sets the pace

On mountain trails, it quickly becomes clear that nature cannot be rushed.

Steep climbs, rocky paths, or volcanic ridges force us to adapt. Every step becomes more deliberate, our breathing steadier, and our focus gradually turns inward.

This slower pace isn’t a hindrance; it’s a gift.

By sticking to designated hiking trails, we not only ensure our own safety but also protect fragile habitats. Respecting conservation rules, staying on marked paths, and preserving the peace of wildlife all contribute to ensuring these landscapes retain their unique value for the long term.

When locals aren’t service providers, but hosts

One of the most important questions in sustainable tourism is always the same: who benefits from the revenue generated by travel?

By choosing a family-run guesthouse, buying from local artisans, or dining at a village restaurant, a larger share of the money stays within the local community. This helps preserve jobs, sustain traditional crafts, and encourage young people to stay in the area.

In return, we gain experiences that no guidebook can offer: stories, local legends, hiking tips, family recipes, or knowledge passed down through generations in the world of forests and mountains.

When locals aren’t service providers, but hosts

Sustainability starts on the plate

One of the most important questions in sustainable tourism is always the same: who benefits from the revenue generated by travel?

Some of the strongest travel memories often come from a taste.

A locally made sheep’s cheese, a tea brewed from herbs, or a wine grown on volcanic soil tells us far more about a landscape than any brochure ever could.

Choosing local ingredients is also better for the environment. Shorter supply chains, a smaller ecological footprint, and greater added value remain within the local economy.

Slow travel is not just about experiences; it’s also a conscious economic choice.

Hargita – where silence has its own sound (Transylvania, Romania)

If there’s a place in the Eastern Carpathians where slow travel truly comes to life, it’s the Nagyhagymás Mountains. The limestone ridges rising in the northern part of Hargita County, the pine-covered slopes, and the crystal-clear mountain streams create a landscape where the rhythm of nature dictates the pace of travel.

The region’s most iconic landmark, Egyeskő (Piatra Singuratică), rises solitary above the surrounding mountains. The trails leading through narrow paths, flower-filled alpine meadows, and rocky ridges aren’t about the kilometres covered but the experience of stopping at viewpoints and taking in the vast Csíki Basin and the Hagymás Mountains.

The nearby Egyeskő Mountain Hut has been a meeting point for nature lovers for decades. A simple dinner, a chat with the hosts, or a sunrise among the rocks can leave a more lasting impression than any crowded tourist attraction. Here, slowing down, silence, and respect for the mountains are natural parts of the journey.

The Nagyhagymás Mountains are also a particularly sensitive natural area. Using designated trails, hiking without leaving waste, protecting rare plant species, and respecting the peace of wildlife are not just conservation rules but the foundation of a responsible travel mindset that ensures this unique mountain region remains special for future generations.

Hargita – where silence has its own sound (Transylvania, Romania)

The contrasting worlds of the Bükk and Mátra (Hungary)

Hungary’s two most famous mountain ranges have distinctly different characters.

The limestone plateaus, caves, and ancient forests of the Bükk invite calm, meditative hikes. In many places, weak mobile reception naturally provides a digital detox, making it easier to focus on the surroundings.

In contrast, the neighbouring Mátra offers a more dynamic experience. The volcanic mountain range’s steep ridges, rocky trails, and spectacular viewpoints demand constant attention, while the region’s geological history is visible with every step.

Together, the two mountain ranges show that slow travel isn’t a single way of travelling but a mindset that works across different landscapes.

The contrasting worlds of the Bükk and Mátra (Hungary)

Novohrad–Nógrád Geopark – where volcanoes tell stories (Slovakia - Hungary)

The Novohrad–Nógrád UNESCO Global Geopark, straddling the border of Hungary and Slovakia, preserves a geological heritage that is unique in Europe.

The basalt columns of Somoskő, the volcanic cone of Fülek Castle Hill, and the basalt fields of the Medves Plateau are not only stunning natural landmarks but also excellent examples of how the volcanic past has shaped today’s landscape.

This geological heritage lives on in the local gastronomy. The volcanic soil influences agriculture, local cheeses, honeys, fruits, and wines, so every local product is also a part of the landscape’s story.

Novohrad–Nógrád Geopark – where volcanoes tell stories (Slovakia - Hungary)

Balaton Uplands – where basalt holds stories (Hungary)

Most people associate Lake Balaton with summer beach holidays, but the volcanic hills surrounding the lake reveal a completely different side to those willing to slow down.

The small villages of the Káli Basin, the quiet streets of Salföld, and the basalt columns of Badacsony and Szent György Hill create a landscape where geology and culture are deeply intertwined.

Wines made from grapes grown on volcanic soil offer not just a culinary experience but also a taste of the region’s character. Visiting a local winery or hearing the story of a family vineyard brings you closer to understanding the area than a quick photo from a viewpoint ever could.

Balaton Uplands – where basalt holds stories (Hungary)

Slow travel is one of the strongest tools of sustainable tourism

Slow travel isn’t a passing trend; it’s an increasingly conscious response to the challenges of mass tourism. It’s not about travelling as slowly as possible but about spending travel time more meaningfully.

Less driving, more walking. Fewer packed schedules, more spontaneous discoveries. Less consumption, more genuine connections – with the landscape, local communities, and ourselves.

By travelling slower, we place less strain on the environment, support local businesses more, and have greater opportunities to uncover the true essence of a region. We don’t just pass through a destination; we become part of it – even if only for a few days.

Perhaps this is the essence of sustainable tourism: travelling in a way that leaves more behind than we take away. More appreciation for nature, more income for local communities, and more experiences that live on not in photos but in our memories.

Because at the end of the best journeys, we don’t count the sights we’ve ticked off; we feel that, for a brief moment, we truly arrived.