The Wildest of West Ireland
West Ireland has a reputation for its rugged natural beauty and unforgiving landscape of rocky hills, mountainous dunes and endless lakes. But if you are a thrill seeking holiday maker who would rather hike up hills than lie strapped to a sun lounger, then West Ireland is the perfect place to visit. With cheap flights available to Ireland West Airport Knock and Derry Airport with BMI Baby and Ryanair, it can be the perfect choice for a budget break too. Just make sure you take out good travel insurance if you plan on taking a wild or active break to Ireland’s West Coast. Here is our guide to the west coast’s wildest pursuits:
Horse Riding: Connemara Trails (www.connemara-trails.com), offers a guided six day, 110 mile hike across the watery plains of County Galway – an epic cross country tour rather than a leisurely canter around the countryside. Be prepared for six hours a day on horseback, navigating through farms, backwater, an abandoned railway track as well as country roads and the sands of Connemara. You’re in for a tough trek, but are rewarded with wild swims, stops at homely guest houses, and nourished with hearty plates of Irish grub. Most travellers have basic horse-riding skills, but if you’re a first time rider willing to learn quickly, why not take on the challenge?
Climb Donegal’s Highest Peak: If you love mountaineering, then take to the hilly trails of Mount Errigal, a 2,466ft beast looming over Glenveagh National Park, with naked peaks and jagged cliffs that exude a harsh beauty. It’s a hard slog up the track, but once you reach the crest of Errigal, be prepared for breathtaking vistas of islands clustered around vast lakes and moors, and endless stretches of untouched sand. Another great climb is the fort of Grianan Aileach, which sits on a peak between Loughs Foyle and Swilly. You can see panoramas of Donegal and Derry through the ramparts of this ancient landmark, with towering 20ft stone walls that have stood watch over the mountains for 4,000 years.
Take to the Water: Most people think of the warm, clear waters of the Caribbean when they want to go Scuba Diving, but if you’re willing to brave the drop in temperature, the West coast is a great scuba spot, with good visibility, and a range of treasures to uncover, from rock pools to ship wrecks buried in the deep. The season usually runs from around March to October, and Donegal’s Atlantic Coast, Cork and Galway are all great places to dive in. If you’d rather ride the waves than discover what lies beneath, Donegal is a surfer’s paradise, with endless beaches and a choppy surf year-round.
|
Getting
to Ireland
Bus
Car
Plane
Airports
Ferry
Train
|
English
Francais
Deutsch
Italiano
Español