The Great OUTDOORS

The Wild Atlantic Way, with its rugged coasts and uphill terrain, attracts many looking for an activity-based break.

1. For those seeking something totally out of the ordinary, the Bog Challenge at Delphi Adventure Resort in County Galway promises a barrel of laughs. Ideal for groups, you will run and hop through the boggy ground in the Wilds of Connemara all with the aim of having fun and pushing your mental boundaries. The mud-filled adventure lasts for 90 minutes, but is not for the faint hearted - expect to be soaked to your socks and covered in mud afterwards, but it’s a great activity to literally let your hair down.

If getting bogged down is not your thing, there are a host of other activities at the Adventure Centre - try mountain biking on the forest trails beneath Mweelrea, Connaught’s highest mountain. Alternatively, hidden within the trees of Delphi Adventure Resort’s 300 acres of Connemara forest, the Go Zip Forest Park is packed with a multitude of fun filled challenges suitable for both adults and children. Climb the towers, swing from the bridge, balance on a rope and fly through the treetops of Ireland’s Longest zip wire. The hotel offers a range of packages and includes a spa. Delphi.ie

Delphi Adventure Centre

2. A visit to the Wild Atlantic Way must include a trip to the Cliffs of Moher, arguably one of Ireland’s most scenic attractions. Standing 214m high at their highest point, they stretch for 8 kilometres along the Atlantic coast of County Clare in the West of Ireland. On a clear day, the views are spectacular - you can see as far as the Aran Islands and the Twelve Pins in Galway and the Blasket Islands in Kerry. Some 2000 years ago in the 1st Century BC, the Moher Tower, today a ruined tower, was built. A visitor centre at the cliffs provides a wealth of information about the history of the cliffs, as well as the flora and fauna that live there. The cliffs can be particularly dangerous on stormy days, and it is advisable to wrap up and keep children close to you. cliffsofmoher.ie

Cliffs of Moher

3. Connemara is famous for its ponies and what better way to enjoy its beautiful scenery than on the back of a pony or a horse? The Point Pony Trekking and Horse Riding Centre in Ballyconneely, Co Galway is situated beside the sea, ideal for beach rides on the white sandy beaches. The centre organises treks to suit all ages and abilities and with well-behaved horses and ponies, you can focus on taking in the scenery. After all that trekking, pop into the nearby clubhouse at the golf club next door for a bite to eat and a warm cuppa. Treks are available during winter from 10am to 5pm. thepointponytrekkingcentre.com

4.The Wild Atlantic Way is a cyclist’s dream with excellent cycling routes and lots of uphill challenges to keep you on your toes. GrassRoutes Electric Bike Adventures run a number of cycling routes from Letterkenny, Glenveagh National Park, Árainn Mhór and Downings - all in the heart of Donegal. If you are keen on choosing your own route, call GrassRoutes 24 hours before you plan to cycle - not only will they have your bike ready but an exact route will be planned out. Electric pedal bikes are also available to help you along the way. Bike hire is available daily. grassroutes.ie

5. Killarney National Park is a must-visit when in Kerry, if even for its stunning views. Given its large size, exploring the park on foot can be time consuming. Cue Killarney Stables, which run trails through the park taking in views of Ross Castle and Ross Island, panoramic views of Innisfallen Island and the surrounding mountains. With over 70 horses to choose from, one, two and three hour treks are available, depending on how much time you have to sit back and admire the views. Trails operate several times daily, with boots and helmets included in the price. killarney-riding-stables.com

6. For keen walkers in search of that Wild Atlantic air, hill walking can be a great option to see the sights along the coast, while walking off those pints of the black stuff at the same time. HilltopTreks operates guided and self-guided hiking tours taking in sites such as the Cliffs of Moher, Slieve League and the Aran Islands. With accommodation and transport available within the packages, you will also learn about the history and folklore of the sights as you burn off the calories.

7. For the adventurer in you, a trip to the Wild Atlantic Way provides the ideal opportunity to rock climb on some of the most spectacular cliffs. Bren Whelan is a highly qualified mountain instructor who has over 25 years of rock climbing experience and regularly guides people along the various sea cliffs along the Wild Atlantic Way. Based in Donegal, his rock climbing ascents take place at Malin Head, Ireland’s most northerly point which is also the number one signature point at the start of the Wild Atlantic Way. Wild Atlantic Way Rock Climbing provides rock climbing, mountaineering and winter climbing and offers a range of courses to suit all abilities.

8. Caught the running bug and not sure where to run along the Wild Atlantic Way? It may be a few months away but The Wild Atlantic Run will not only challenge even the fittest of runners, but is one of the most breathtaking events of its kind in Europe. Taking place on 16th September 2016 along the coast of Sligo, the point-to-point half marathon runs between the idyllic villages of Strandhill and Rosses Point. The course snakes along the coastline in the shadow of the mountains Benbulben and Knocknarea. See wildatlanticrun.ie for more. If you can’t wait that long, try running along the Prom in Galway’s Salthill. The famous promenade is flat and ideal for running and extends right along the coast. You will find runners taking advantage of the path morning, noon and night in Galway.

wild Atlantic Way route

9. With views to die for and a wind-swept coastline, the Wild Atlantic Way is a golfer’s paradise. It is no wonder then that some of the most famous and renowned (not to mention challenging) golf links courses lie along the coast.

A must to visit is the Greg Norman-designed golf course at Trump International Hotel and Golf Links Doonbeg, formerly The Lodge at Doonbeg. With stunning views and dunes all around, the course has recently been revamped in the wake of businessman Donald Trump's purchase of the five-star resort. Connemara Golf Club sits between the scenic splendour of the Twelve Bens mountain range and the Atlantic Ocean and Norman from Cheers once played a round here. For those who want to capture Croagh Patrick on camera without having to do the hard work of climbing ‘The Reek’, play a few holes at Westport Golf Club where Paul McGinley, Europe team captain for the 2014 Ryder Cup, shot a course record 65 on his way to capturing the Smurfit PGA Championship in 2002. And for the ultimate in scenery, The Dunes Course in Enniscrone sits among some of the tallest dunes on the Sligo coast. It's not surprising then that two-time Masters Champion Bernhard Langer once stopped off to practice in Sligo and ended up staying for a week at Enniscrone.

Doonbeg Golf Course

10. The Wild Atlantic Way continues to attract cycling enthusiasts as it’s the world’s longest defined coastal tour route, encompassing nine counties, three provinces, 160 discovery points, 25 islands, 150 hidden gems and 2500 kms. The entire route is challenging, and connects Kinsale in Cork to Derry in Northern Ireland. Start around the peninsulas of Cork before taking the Ring of Kerry to Tralee before crossing the Shannon to Co Clare. From there, cycle to Galway and this is where the fun begins - a cycle from Co Galway to Ballina in Mayo will see you pass Connemara, Killary, Croagh Patrick, and Westport. Try cycling along Achill Island and the Belmullet/ Blacksod Bay peninsula if you really have the energy or if not, from Ballina on the way to Sligo, you will pass Co Leitrim’s 11 kms of coastline before reaching Co Donegal. From Buncrana, Derry is 150 kms away and will see you pass Malin Head for some of the toughest (going up) and finest (going down) climbs in the country.

Clew Bay