100+ SMART Adventure Goals

This page features a curated list of adventure goals. I created it as a source of inspiration for my 100 life goals project and wanted to share it with others in hopes of inspiring them to create their own goal list.

There is an overabundance of bucket list ideas circulating online that lack the necessary specificity, measurability, and time-bound nature to make them actionable goals. Therefore, I curated a list of SMART goals that are more specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.

Whether you're young or old, there's something on this list for everyone. So, read on to discover some of the best adventure goals that can help you transform your life and achieve your dreams.

An important note before scrolling down:

The list below includes 100+ adventure goal ideas, but if you're looking for a bigger list then download my book, The SMART Bucket List.

It includes a list of 1000+ SMART goal ideas from various categories, such as fitness, travel, personal growth, and more. Each goal is crafted to meet the SMART criteria, making it a valuable resource for anyone looking to create a truly actionable goal list.

Click here to download it for FREE. Additionally, you’ll get my Design Your Dream Year workbook, containing a proven step-by-step action plan to check off those big goals on your list.

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* One more thing, if you decide to take part in any of the goals listed below, you do so entirely at your own risk. Some of the goal ideas listed here can be risky, so seek out guidance if you decide to try them out, especially the challenging ones.

With this in mind, let's rock and roll!!

100+ Adventure Goals

SMART Adventure Racing Goals

Adventure racing is a unique and exciting way to challenge yourself and push your limits, making it an excellent way to grow and develop as a person. Adventure racing can also help you build self-confidence and improve your overall fitness level, as it requires a combination of physical strength, endurance, and mental agility. By setting and achieving Adventure Racing Goals, you'll not only improve your physical and mental health, but you'll also develop skills and traits that can translate to other areas of your life.

Here are a few examples of SMART goals you can set in this particular area:

• Participate in a 3-day adventure race this year and finish in the top 10
• Participate in a 24-hour adventure racing event within the next 3 months and complete at least 100 miles
• Participate in a 100-mile bike race this year and finish within 10 hours.
• Participate in a 50-kilometer trail running race and finish within 6 hours.
• Participate in a 100-kilometer road cycling race and finish within 5 hours.
• Participate in a dog-sledding race in Alaska within the next 2 years
• Participate in a 100-mile horseback riding endurance race and finish within 24 hours.
• Participate in a 24-hour mountain biking race and complete at least 150 miles.
• Participate in a 24-hour ice climbing competition this year and climb at least 15 routes.
• Participate in a 5-day multi-sport adventure race and complete at least 200 miles.
• Participate in a 24-hour obstacle course race and complete at least 50 miles.
• Complete a challenging obstacle course race, such as a Tough Mudder or Spartan Race, within the next six months
• Complete a 100km ultramarathon within 18 months, finishing in under 15 hours
• Plan a group adventure race, such as a Ragnar Relay or Adventure Racing World Series, with friends within the next six months to challenge myself physically and bond with friends.
• Participate in a multi-day adventure race that includes trail running, mountain biking, and kayaking within the next 2 years

SMART Mountaineering Goals

If you're looking for a unique way to challenge yourself and grow as a person, setting Mountaineering Goals can be an incredible experience. Climbing mountains can help you develop an appreciation for nature and the environment, as well as a sense of humility and respect for the power of nature. Climbing mountains can also be an opportunity for self-discovery and personal growth, as you push yourself to your limits and discover new strengths and capabilities. Ultimately, setting and achieving Mountaineering Goals can be an incredibly rewarding and transformative experience that can lead to greater self-awareness and a more fulfilling life.

Here are a few examples of SMART goals you can set in this particular area:

• Trek to the base camp of Mount Kilimanjaro and summit the peak within 10 days.
• Go on a 10-day mountaineering trip to climb the highest peak in South America, Aconcagua.
• Go on a 10-day trek in the Himalayas and summit a peak above 20,000 feet.
• Learn to mountaineer and climb a peak above 14,000 feet.
• Climb the tallest peak in South America, Aconcagua, within the next 3 years
• Set a goal to climb a peak or summit a mountain within the next year to challenge myself
• Summit Mount Everest within the next five years by completing advanced mountaineering courses, obtaining necessary gear, and consistently training at higher altitudes.
• Climb the Seven Summits, the highest peak on each continent, within the next ten years by dedicating time and resources to each climb and building up to more challenging summits
• Complete a solo ascent of a 6,000-meter peak in the Andes within the next two years by increasing strength and endurance through daily training and climbing smaller peaks to prepare
• Improve technical climbing skills by completing a five-day course in ice climbing within the next six months, followed by regularly practicing on local ice formations
• Lead a guided mountaineering trip for beginners up a 4,000-meter peak in the Rockies within the next year by obtaining necessary certifications and developing a comprehensive training program for participants
• Complete a multi-day traverse of the Bugaboos in British Columbia within the next three years by training with a partner and developing a detailed route plan
• Summit Denali within the next five years by gaining experience on other high-altitude peaks and spending time acclimatizing on Denali beforehand
• Set a new personal best time for summiting Mount Rainier within the next year by training with a coach, optimizing nutrition, and improving technical skills.
• Develop a comprehensive training plan to improve rock climbing skills by increasing grip strength, technique, and endurance, with the goal of completing a 5.13a route within the next two years
• Complete a winter ascent of Mount Hood within the next year by obtaining proper gear, developing winter camping skills, and partnering with an experienced winter climber
• Complete a solo ascent of a technical route in Yosemite within the next three years by gradually building up to more challenging routes and consistently training on rock formations
• Lead a team on an expedition to climb a remote peak in the Himalayas within the next five years by developing a detailed itinerary and recruiting experienced climbers
• Complete a climb of El Capitan within the next three years by developing technical skills and partnering with an experienced big wall climber

SMART Snow Adventure Goals

Setting and achieving Snow Adventure Goals can be a thrilling and transformative experience that can help you become the best version of yourself. For instance, learning to ski jump is a great goal that requires physical skill, mental focus, and courage. Generally speaking, snow sports like skiing and snowboarding can help you improve your physical fitness, coordination, and balance.

Here are a few examples of SMART goals you can set in this particular area:

• Learn to ski jump in 6 months and successfully land a 30-meter jump.
• Go on a 5-day ski mountaineering trip this year in the Canadian Rockies.
• Learn to ski tour and complete a 3-day hut-to-hut trip in the backcountry.
• Learn to ski this year and ski down a black diamond run without falling.
• Participate in a heli-skiing adventure in 3 months and ski down at least 10 runs in a day.
• Go on a 3-day backcountry skiing trip in the Rocky Mountains within six months
• Plan a skiing or snowboarding trip once a month for the next three months to improve my skills and enjoy winter sports.
• Learn to snowboard this year and ride down a double black diamond run without falling.
• Participate in a 10-day snowboarding trip in Hokkaido, Japan this year and ride in deep powder.
• Participate in a week-long backcountry ski expedition in the Canadian Rockies within the next 3 years
• Go on a week-long cross-country skiing trip this year in Lapland.
• Participate in a 10-day cross-country skiing trip in the Norwegian mountains.
• Plan a multi-day backcountry skiing or snowboarding trip within the next year to challenge myself physically and experience the beauty of winter landscapes.

SMART Ocean Adventure Goals

If you're looking for a new and exciting way to challenge yourself, then setting an ocean adventure goal could be just what you need. Whether you want to learn to windsurf, try your hand at scuba diving, or tackle a new water sport, the benefits of this type of goal are numerous. These adventures can be a great workout, helping you build strength, improve balance, and increase endurance.

Here are a few examples of SMART goals you can set in this particular area:

• Learn how to surf by taking a beginner's lesson once a week for the next three months to try something new and challenge myself physically.
• Plan a kayaking or canoeing trip once a month for the next three months to enjoy nature and improve my paddling skills.
• Book a whitewater rafting trip with friends or family within the next three months to enjoy the outdoors and challenge myself physically.
• Go on a multi-day whitewater rafting trip within the next year to challenge myself physically and experience the thrill of navigating rapids.
• Learn to whitewater kayak and complete a class IV rapid.
• Complete a 3-day whitewater rafting trip down the Colorado River within the next year
• Learn to windsurf and ride a 20-knot wind.
• Learn to stand-up paddleboard this year and paddle across a 10-mile lake.
• Learn to surf within the next 3 months and ride a 10-foot wave.
• Go on a 7-day surf camp in Costa Rica and surf a different break every day.
• Learn to surf with a professional and surf a point break.
• Learn to surf in a new country and catch my first wave in Hawaii within the next 6 months
• Go on a 50-day sailing trip across the Atlantic Ocean.
• Learn to sail this year and complete a 5-day sailing course.
• Learn to sail this year and complete a solo overnight sail.
• Learn to sail and complete a 7-day sailing trip in the Caribbean within the next 18 months
• Learn to scuba dive and complete an advanced open water certification.
• Participate in a week-long scuba diving trip in the Great Barrier Reef and dive at least twice a day.
• Learn to scuba dive and complete a deep dive to 100 feet.
• Participate in a 10-day scuba diving trip in Raja Ampat, Indonesia and dive at least twice a day.
• Go scuba diving once every three months for the next year to explore underwater ecosystems and improve my diving skills.
• Learn to scuba dive and complete a 5-day diving certification course in Thailand in the next year
• Participate in a 7-day whitewater rafting trip through the Grand Canyon.
• Kayak down the Amazon River and finish within 60 days.
• Go on a week-long sea kayaking trip in Glacier Bay National Park.
• Go on a 10-day kayaking trip in Alaska's Glacier Bay National Park.
• Participate in a 10-day sea kayaking trip in Baja, Mexico.
• Go on a 7-day sea kayaking trip in the San Juan Islands, Washington.
• Learn to kite surf this year and ride a 20-foot wave.
• Learn to kiteboard and complete a 2-mile downwind run.
• Participate in a 3-day kiteboarding camp and learn to jump and perform tricks.
• Participate in a 5-day kiteboarding trip in Brazil and complete a 10-mile downwind run.
• Plan and execute a 5-day canoeing trip in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in the next year

SMART Aerial Adventure Goals

Aerial adventure goals like learning to paraglide offer an exhilarating and rewarding experience that can benefit you in many ways. One of the main advantages of pursuing this type of activity is that it can help you overcome your fears and build confidence. As you take to the skies, you'll be faced with new challenges that require you to push yourself beyond your limits, leading to personal development. Additionally, these goals can help you improve your focus and concentration, as it requires a high level of attention to detail and quick decision-making skills. Not only that, but it also offers an incredible sense of freedom and perspective as you soar above the world below.

Here are a few examples of SMART goals you can set in this particular area:

• Learn to paraglide this year and complete a 5-mile cross-country flight.
• Learn to paraglide and fly solo for at least 30 minutes in the next 12 months
• Take a hot air balloon ride over a scenic location within the next year to try something new and see things from a different perspective.
• Go bungee jumping or ziplining at least once within the next six months to experience an adrenaline rush and overcome fears.
• Plan a group skydiving with friends within the next six months to experience an adrenaline rush and create memorable experiences.
• Learn how to fly a small plane within the next year to try something new and experience the thrill of flying.
• Participate in a skydiving event and do a solo jump from 15,000 feet.
• Book a skydiving session within the next six months to overcome a fear and experience an adrenaline rush.

Other Adventure Goals

Overall, embarking on adventures can be a powerful way to challenge yourself, gain new experiences, and grow as a person. Whether it's traveling to a new country, trying a new sport, or taking on a challenging outdoor activity, adventures can help you develop a sense of courage, resilience, and adaptability. When you step outside of your comfort zone and take on new challenges, you also have the opportunity to learn new skills and develop a greater sense of self-awareness.

Here are a few examples of SMART goals you can set in this particular area:

• Participate in an adventure travel trip, such as a wildlife safari or trekking in a remote location, within the next year to challenge myself mentally and experience new cultures.
• Go on a backpacking trip once every three months for the next year to improve my outdoor skills and explore new places.
• Go on a multi-day backpacking trip with friends once every six months for the next year to improve my outdoor skills and bond with friends.
• Go on a 2-week backpacking trip in the Andes Mountains in South America within the next year
• Learn to BASE jump this year and complete a jump from a 1,000-foot cliff.
• Participate in a 10-day bouldering trip within the next six months in Bishop, California.
• Plan a camping trip with friends or family to a national park within the next three months to disconnect from technology and experience nature.
• Go on a 7-day backcountry camping and fishing trip this year in the Canadian wilderness.
• Go on a 4-day canyoning trip in the Swiss Alps within the next year
• Go on a week-long caving expedition this year in Mammoth Cave National Park.
• Participate in a 10-day expedition to the South Pole within two years.
• Learn to fly fish this year and catch a 20-inch trout.
• Participate in a wilderness survival training course within the next six months to learn valuable skills and challenge myself mentally.
• Learn to slackline this year and walk a 100-foot highline.

More Goal Ideas?

Click here to get 'The SMART Bucket List' for FREE — It includes a list of 1000+ SMART goal ideas from various categories, such as fitness, travel, personal growth, and more. Additionally, you’ll get my Design Your Dream Year workbook, containing a proven step-by-step action plan to check off those big goals on your list.