Winter is nearly upon us, but before the cold weather and short days fully descend there is plenty of time to get out and enjoy some fresh air. Autumn is the perfect time to explore the outside world, the temperatures are still mild and changing colours of the leaves add extra beauty everywhere. We've come up with some outdoor activities to try out this October, which will give you the opportunity to make the most of autumn.
Explore Ireland's Biggest and Best Parks
October is great time to get out and visit one of Ireland's many parks. The leaves are just starting to change colour, turning parks into a beautiful mix of green, gold and orange, but it's still mild enough to enjoy being outside.
The Phoenix Park is one Europe's biggest urban parks; it's great for a walk, a run or even a bike ride. You can go deer spotting, take a tour of Aras an Uachtarian, or simply enjoy crunching through the autumn leaves. If you want to try something different, you can also tour the park on a Segway or hop aboard the Phoenix Park Choo Choo train which runs until Halloween.
Outside of the capital, consider a visit to Killarney National Park. Killarney is one of the most beautiful parts of the country, and there is no better place to enjoy its full beauty than the National Park. You'll be able to take in the area's distinctive scenic beauty, a combination of mountains, lakes and woods. There are plenty of ways to explore the park, hiking or cycling one of the trails, taking a boat trip across the lakes to Innisfallen, or even a ride in a horse- drawn carriage. You could also pay a visit to Muckross House and Gardens, the heart of the National Park.
Take on an Adventure Challenge
Enjoy might not be quite the right word, but the Turf Warrior race will make for a memorable experience. Turf Warrior is a 10 km obstacle course that takes place in the heart of Connemara on October 31st. You’ll wade through bog, crawl through tunnels, climb over trees and get plenty of fresh air into your lungs. To celebrate completing the course, there’s a huge after party, with the Rugby World Cup final on a big screen.
Another adventure challenge taking place in Connemara is the Great Fjord Swim which is happening on October 10th in the Killary fjord. It's an open water swimming event, with 3.9km and 2km courses for experienced swimmers and a 750m course for those new to open water swimming. If you're feeling especially brave there is a non-wetsuit race too.
Take a Hike at a Walking Festival
If, like us, you've been spending a lot of time on the couch watching the rugby, you might be feeling the need to get out, stretch your legs and get some air into your lungs. There are several walking festivals taking place across the country this month, including Wicklow, Cork, Carlow and Tipperary, which provide a great opportunity to do just that. These festivals provide motivation and guidance for anyone who isn't a regular walker, and new challenges for anyone who is. The Wicklow Walking Festival (23-26 October), offers a variety of walking challenges - from woodlands and rolling hills to wild craggy mountain climb, while The Nire Valley Walking Festival in Co. Waterford taking place on the 10th and 11th of October celebrates the beautiful Comeragh Mountains.
For loads of great Autumnal holiday ideas and inspiration for getting out and about in the great outdoors, please visit www.discoverireland.ie or find Discover Ireland on Facebook #thisisLIVING