Outdoor activities

Take a walk on the wild side

Walking is the quickest and simplest way to venture outdoors in Ireland! And with mild weather and a richly varied landscape of beaches, bogs, and rolling green fields, it's the perfect way to get up close and personal with the island's famously beautiful environments.

In Northern Ireland, The Gobbins Cliff Path – a dramatic coastal walk through pathways and tubular bridges that hang above sea caves and lashing waves – is a must. The Giant’s Causeway Clifftop Experience is also a stunning way to see the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Elsewhere, any number of places along the Wild Atlantic Way offer lovely walking routes, including the Beara Peninsula in West Cork and the Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry.

For more hardcore hikers, the Wicklow Way is a paradise of mountain trails. The ultimate challenge? That'll be the tallest mountain on the island of Ireland, Carrauntoohil, in Kerry's MacGillycuddy's Reeks. The Slieve Blooms in counties Laois and Offaly are a hidden gem – peaceful peaks rising from the island's central plains.

Take to the water!

With ocean waves, flowing rivers, and glistening lakes, the island of Ireland is a water wonderland. Make a splash by sea swimming at iconic locations such as the Forty Foot in County Dublin or the Blackrock Diving Tower in County Galway. The waters here are cool, clear and undeniably refreshing.

If water sports are more your thing, we've got you covered. Bundoran in County Donegal is known as Ireland's surf capital but Lahinch in County Clare isn't far behind. Both spots offer BIG Atlantic waves. Clew Bay in County Mayo is a popular place for windsurfing. Whereas kayaking and canoeing are best done on Ireland's lakes and waterways, such as Lough Derg in Ireland's Hidden Heartlands.

Like the water but don't like getting wet?! Cruise along the Shannon – the longest river on the island of Ireland – on a self-drive boating holiday to remember. Or rent a barge and glide along the Grand Canal to experience peace and tranquillity like never before.

On your bike

Bike lover? You're in for a two-wheeled treat in Ireland. Greenways, which are designed for cyclists, are the big draw here. The Great Western Greenway from lively Westport to Achill Island takes in majestic views on the west coast, while the Waterford Greenway runs from Waterford city to the seaside town of Dungarvan along the rugged Copper Coast.

For mountain biking, Rostrevor in County Down has off-road trails of varying difficulty, some with exhilarating single-track descents! Ballyhoura Mountain Bike Trails in County Limerick is also an exciting place to ride. Tear around 98km of forest trails, boardwalks, rocky sections, and tight bends.

A gentler cycling experience can be found with city bike schemes, such as dublinbikes and Belfast Bikes. It's a fun and handy way to see more of these historic cities. Simply hop on and off at whichever landmarks catch your eye!