Hostel Tours Cater to Adventurers : Hiking, bicycling and backpacking trips are scheduled in Europe and North America.

American Youth Hostels will be operating 30 guided hiking, bicycling and backpacking trips in Canada, the United States and Europe during the summer of 1993.

The rates for these “Discovery Tours” are kept reasonable because accommodations are provided in youth hostels, and in some cases in camping facilities. Groups are kept small (usually nine participants), and different departures are scheduled for different age groups: youth (15-18), open (15 and older), adult (18 and older) and 50+ (50 and older).

The tours outside of the United States and Canada are organized by foreign youth hostel associations and may include participants from a variety of countries. Hiking and cycling tours are rated for different skill levels. On North American bicycling tours, participants supply their own touring bikes and carry their own gear, as well as a portion of the group’s food and equipment. Cycle trips vary from a 23-day “Bay of Fundy Loop” excursion through Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick for about $900 and a 15-day “French Canadian Adventure” for $750, to a 12-day “Cape Cod Salty Dog” tour for $750 and a 38-day “Pacific Pedaler” from Seattle to San Francisco for $1,250.

On European bicycling trips, a bike is usually provided. European bicycling adventures include: the Loire Valley in France (one week for $475; two weeks, $850); “Down the Danube” (eight days, $425); Switzerland (15 days, $625), and Scotland (eight days, $425). Air fares are not included.

You don’t have to worry about carrying a lot of gear on the hiking tours. Participants use a base camp and head out from there on day hikes. A van is used to transport the group and their gear to different areas. The hikes range from a nine-day tour in Yosemite National Park for $500, to 13 days in Israel ($800; air fare extra).

Backpacking trips require that travelers carry all of their gear with them. In addition to trips in North America, there will be five foreign tours: eight days in the Yorkshire Dales in England for $600; Switzerland for eight days ($700) or 14 days ($825); a seven-day tour of Mont Blanc in the French Alps for $725, and nine days in Scotland for $575.

Tour prices include accommodations in hostels or campgrounds, group-prepared meals, an entertainment fund and guide services.

For more information, including tour dates for each of the age groups, request the Discovery Tour Catalogue from Hostelling International, American Youth Hostels, 1434 2nd St., Santa Monica 90401, (310) 393-3413.

A new, free magazine geared to student-style travelers is now available.

Published by the Council on International Educational Exchange, the 48-page Student Travels covers topics that include passports, inexpensive student flights, student identity cards and discounts on interesting events abroad. There also is information on budget accommodations and employment and volunteer opportunities abroad.

Student Travels will be published twice yearly, in the spring and fall. Free copies of the first issue are available at Council travel offices nationwide or by writing to CIEE, Dept. ISS-144, 205 East 42nd St., New York 10017. Include $1 for postage.