12 | NORTHERN IRELAND - Say Hello to More
Glamping Pods at Cushendall Caravan Park
Strandford Lough
Lough Neagh Discovery Centre
Adventure of a lifetime
From a sea safari at Strangford Lough to hover crafting at the Sperrins, Northern Ireland is a land of endless adventure. Whatever activity you’re looking for, here are some options to help you plan your trip
TAKE THE LEAP Looking for something extreme to fulfil your adrenaline-fuelled adventure needs? Look no further than Todd’s Leap in Ballygawley, Co Tyrone, which holds a zipline that hangs 50 metres above the ground and is a staggering 500m long. With many other thrilling activities including a Drop Zone Tower (the first purpose-built recreational free-fall stunt jumping facility in Europe), body zorbing, rodeo bull and blindfold driving, you’ll need to bring some nerves of steel with you! WALKING TRAILS & MORE As an ‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’, the Strangford Lough countryside in Co Down is possibly the explored by foot in order to really appreciate its landscape, old ruins and renowned marine plant– and wildlife. Many walking and cycling trails exist for both the experienced and novice walker. The woodland trail at Castle Ward is a must. Off-land activities such as kayaking, fishing and sailing are popular on the Lough, as well as the canoe trails and sea safaris. Suitable for almost all ages and abilities, the sea safari not only brings you up close to the fastest-flowing tides in Europe on purpose-built RIB boats, but also gives you the opportunity to see seals and other wildlife. Once you’ve had a taste of the activities the area has to offer, be adventurous with its cuisine too. The fishing fleet of Portavogie keeps many of the local seafood restaurants well supplied with the very best quality of turbot, plaice, langoustine and brill, providing a real taste of the region.
WILD WAYS Bordering five of Northern Ireland’s six counties, Lough Neagh is the largest freshwater lake in Ireland and Britain, at 18 miles long and seven miles wide, and the third biggest in Europe. With a tranquil atmosphere, unspoilt scenery, secluded bays and skyward views, as well as a haven for wildlife and home to a wealth of flora and fauna, the surrounds of the lough can be explored by foot, car or bicycle. The lough itself is navigable by following the Lough Neagh Canoe Trail, and various forms of boats, ranging from yachts and barges to cruisers. The Lough-
Roe Valley
shore Cycling Trail is a unique cycleway with quiet country lanes and mainly flat terrain. The trail also incorporates over 25 major sites of interest including marinas, nature reserves, parks and sites of archaeological interest. EXPLORE AND ‘GLAMP’! Along the impressive Causeway Coastal Route, in the stunning Roe Valley – just 30 minutes from the centre of Derry-Londonderry – you’ll find Carrowmena Activity Centre. Here, you can enjoy an adventurous paddle along the River Roe with an instructor to guide you – or those with experience can hire a canoe and go exploring on their own. There are many other activities to enjoy, including rock climbing, archery or flying through the sky on the zipline. Then, you can spend the night camping out in style
in the centre’s eco-friendly timber glamping pods. With room for up to six people, this is a great way to enjoy the outdoors in style. Or, if you want a glamping experience with unspoilt coastal views, visit Cushendall Caravan Park in Co Antrim, which overlooks the North Channel to the Mull of Kintyre. LIVE THE THRILL Has a skydive always been one of the things on your bucket list? You can make this become a reality at Wild Geese Skydive in Garvagh, Co Derry. Probably not for the faint hearted – but this will make for a memory that lasts a lifetime. Plus, you’ll get to see terrific views of the north coast as you glide through the sky! For more information, visit www. wildgeeseskydive.com.