This qualitative exploratory research explores meanings that practitioners of adventure activities in nature, who are 60+ years old, attribute to their activities and leisure. The intentionally selected participants were 24 practitioners of adventure activities in nature, in Florianópolis, Brazil. The instruments were a semi-structured interview and simple observation. The data were analyzed using elements of the content analysis technique. The meaning attributed to the adventure activity in nature was centred on the word life, however other perceptions were mentioned, such as escape, sensations, and emotions, contact with nature, spirituality, among others. The innumerable contradictions related to the practice of adventure activities in nature, and to the ageing process are highlighted.