Most high-octane sports seem to involve either falling through the air, whooshing across water, or clambering up mountains, so Donegal is the perfect setting for whatever kind of outdoor action appeals to you. Home to the towering Bluestack Mountains, the rugged Donegal Bay, and the highest sea cliffs in Europe (Slieve League), Donegal is an adventure sports fan’s dream location. Book a hotel in Donegal and get yourself a bit of that action.
 
 
 

Surfing

Donegal is pounded by some glorious waves, making it one of Ireland’s best destinations for surfers. Prime surfing sites include Inishowen and Fanad Head in the north of the county; Bloody Foreland, and Dungloe in the northwest; and - most famous of all - Rossnowlagh and Bundoran in south Donegal.

Blo-karting

Blo-karting is exactly what it sounds like - you sit on a kart and the wind blows you along. Well, it’s not quite that simple: You have to steer yourself along the beach using your sail and the wind. It’s great fun, and with Donegal receiving more than its fair share of wind, you’ll soon find yourself speeding along the sand with the wind in your ears. It’s a bit like surfing on dry land - no waves to shiver through.

Watersports on Lough Swilly

Rathmullan Sailing and Watersports School is a not-for-profit, community-owned-and-run establishment that promotes Lough Swilly among locals and visitors. It offers a range of sailing and kayaking courses for all ages and abilities, from morning taster sessions and week-long sailing courses to day-trips and midnight paddles. If you’ve never sailed before, Lough Swilly is the perfect place to learn, as it is pretty sheltered and there are few commercial boats to avoid.

Lough Swilly is also a location for stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), which is not as straightforward as you might think. Trying to maintain your balance on an oversized surfboard while progressing in a forward direction using only a long-handled paddle is like trying to carry a tray of eggs on a unicycle, but you’ll get the hang of it on one of the taster sessions. Admire the views while working on your abs (stand-up paddle boarding is great for building core strength because of the focus on balance). Adventure One offer SUP lessons during July and August in Rathmullan.

Rock Climbing

If you prefer to get your kicks on dry land, have a go at rock climbing in the Bluestacks and along Donegal’s rugged 1,150km coastline. Famous single and multi-pitch rock climbing sites include Sail Rock, Muckross Head, Sail Rock, Malin Beg, and the perennially popular Culdaff area. The accessible offshore islands of Aranmore, Cruit, Owey, and Gola offer any number of climbs on pristine golden granite. A relatively recent boost to Donegal’s enviable reputation as Ireland’s rock climbing capital is sea stack climbing. Inland the dramatic Blue Stack Mountains, and the areas around Lough Barra, and the Poisoned Glen in the Derryveagh Mountains offer great rock climbing opportunities for beginners and experts. Unique Ascent and MountainTraining.ie offer courses and guided coastal and mountain climbs.

Paragliding

For those who like to have fun in the sky, Bundoran has some of the best conditions in the country for paragliding. During the summer, the stunning Tullan Strand is perfect for ridge soaring, with an unobstructed onshore wind blowing at a consistent speed over the dunes, allowing paragliders to remain airborne. You can also go paragliding in the mountains. Travel to the Dartry Mountains, 13 km from Bundoran, and you could find yourself soaring 2,000 feet up after take-off.