Active Grounding: Hiking Europe and Moving to Portugal

Grounding Through Action: Trails and Relocation

We traded the corporate ladder for the backcountry. Active Grounding is where we document that trade in practice: the long-distance trails we walk across Europe to test our gear and our resolve, and the step-by-step relocation from the Netherlands to the Portuguese coast. Choose a path below.

Portugal Relocation → Portugal Relocation: From the Dutch 9-to-5 to the Algarve

Follow our active transition from the Dutch 9-to-5 to the windswept coast of the Algarve. Dive into our scouting trips, remote work logistics, and the realities of building a location-independent life.

Read the Portugal Relocation Guides

European Trails: Route Guides and Field-Tested Gear

Our ultimate testing ground. Discover detailed route reviews, elevation guides, the field-tested gear an high-performance gear we rely on to navigate Europe’s most demanding terrain.

Explore the European Trail Guides

Start With These Trail Guides

Not sure where to begin? These are the walks we get asked about most:

The Fisherman’s Trail, Portugal – a complete guide to hiking the Rota Vicentina along the Alentejo and Algarve coast.
Caminito del Rey, Spain – the cliff-side walkway near Málaga and how to book it.
Arouca Suspension Bridge – 8.7 km of stairs, vertigo and a 17:00 deadline.
Loriga, Portugal – mountain village walks in the Serra da Estrela.
Mullerthal Trail, Luxembourg – sandstone gorges an afternoon’s drive from the Netherlands.
Plitvice Lakes, Croatia – boardwalks and waterfalls, and how to beat the crowds.

Planning a walk? Check which hiking app we actually use offline before you go.