10 Outdoors- Other to Explore in Galway

This is a part of the Wild Atlantic Way is a scenic route that will take you in a loop around beautiful North West Connemara. It was blessed with its ever changing landscape, presents visitors with the most spectacular mountain views, mist covered lakes, pre-historic bogs, shady glens and remote, unspoilt beaches facing out towards the wild Atlantic.

The Coole Park is one of Ireland’s most spectacular nature reserve covering approximately 400 hectares of wetland and woodlands located in Gort. The park is in a low–lying karstic limestone area characterised by seasonal lakes, known as turloughs, which are almost unique to Ireland. The most unique features of Coole Park are the turloughs which are said to be the best examples of turloughs in the world.

Derryclare, is the 119th–highest peak in Ireland on the Arderin scale, and the 145th–highest peak on the Vandeleur-Lynam scale. This is a popular viewpoint for visitors to the area and a great place for photo opportunities. The Derryclare Lough on its southern slopes is a scenic location in Connemara, while the Derryclare Wood, on its eastern slopes, contains a Statutory Nature Reserve.

Glengowla Mines is a "show mine" dedicated to the lead and silver mining history of Glengowla and the Oughterard area. The mines, abandoned in 1865 are a unique reminder of the 19th century methods of ore- silver and lead extraction and processing. The mine is noted for it’s rare and beautiful crystals of fluorite and quartz, Pitch pine timbers believed to be brought by emigrant coffin ships are still intact in the mine today.

Gurteen Bay is a pretty natural cove located near Roundstone. Magnificent, one appreciates its fine sandy beach, as well as its proximity to a second bay: Dogs Bay. To do to enjoy the sea. The water here is crystal clear and it's used for swimming and other water based activities including windsurfing and kitesurfing. Dogs Bay and Gurteen Bay make up one of the finest stretches of coastline in Connemara with uncompromising views of Errisbeg and the surrounding countryside.

Discover the ancient form of falconry at the oldest established Falconry School in Ireland - flying hawks is an experience of a lifetime.The school is home to the largest and most diverse collection of Harris's hawks. It gives you the chance to fly our wonderful Hawks around the grounds of Ashford Castle during a one-hour Private Hawk Walk.

Poll na bPéist is the name of a rectangular, natural water basin with an edge length of approx. 10 by 25 meters within a stone formation on the coast of Inis Mór, the largest of the Aran Islands . It is connected to the waters of the Atlantic through an underground canal. It was created by the erosion of deeper layers of limestone along straight broken edges.

Rathbaun Farm is situated in a rural area of Southwest County Galway in Ardrahan. The Burke and Connolly family have been farming the 80 acres of land for over 200 years and Fintan Connolly continues this tradition today. Visitors to Rathbaun Farm will be enchanted by its 250 year old thatched cottage, turf fire and original stonewalls. Everyone is invited to hand feed the new lambs which are in plentiful supply between March and November.

The Sky Road in Clifden is one of the most picturesque areas in the Connemara region. The circular route is 16km long and takes you out west from Clifden, onto the Kingstown peninsula, and back into Clifden via the N59. The peninsula is also a part of the Wild Atlantic Way driving route. The upper path gradually rises and at the highest point you reach a vantage car park. The view from up here over Clifden Bay and the offshore islands in the Atlantic Ocean is breathtaking.