As the weather slowly begins to improve (hopefully!) and the days get incrementally brighter, it is time to start peering outside again and looking for things to help shake off the fog of winter.
Here we look at five outdoor adventures perfect for getting you outside, into the air, and in most cases up into the trees.

The Gobbins

On the very edge of the Irish Sea, clinging to the side of Islandmagee, hangs the Causeway Coastal Route.

Described as a "re-awakened coastal experience, first enjoyed in 1902 by the Edwardians", the coastal path has been dramatically redeveloped and modernised, said to be a "white-knuckle walk which will thrill those with a sense of adventure and delight those who wish to experience the coast up close".

Our only slight disappointment is that you can only take the path alongside an official guide, but the "bridges, tunnels, caves, steps, unique rock formations and stunning views (that) will punctuate your path as you walk, presenting themselves in a different light for your return journey" easily overcome this.
thegobbinscliffpath.com

The Jungle NI

Nestled in an enchanting woodland among the rolling Sperrin Mountains at the heart of Northern Ireland, the Jungle NI is just 45 minutes from Belfast or Derry/Londonderry, but feels like a whole other world.

This innovative and award-winning outdoor adventure park offers everything from paintballing, Zorbing, High Wire Tree Top Adventure and yes indeed, Llama trekking.

The Jungle is Adventuremark accredited, meaning that you can enjoy the thrill of adrenaline-packed adventure in total safety and under the guidance of fully qualified Activity Instructors.

The Jungle offers an extensive and exciting range of unique activities ideal for any occasion:
• Birthday Parties (Suitable for ages 5 up) • Hen or Stag Parties
• Corporate Events and Conferences
• Family Adventure Days
• Youth,School and Residential groups
• Couples or Individuals

Open seven days a week all year round, The Jungle is highly flexible. So if an adventure is what you seek, let the experts create you a day to remember.

ACTIVITIES CURRENTLY AVAILABLE:
• Archery
• Clay Pigeon Shooting
• Paintball
• Zorbing
• Team Building Games
• Llama Trekking
• Tree Top Adventure Courses (Kids and Adults)
• Football-Body Zorbs
• Forest Segways

thejungleni.com

Life Adventure Centre, Castlewellan Forest Park

In the beautiful Castlewellan Forest Park nestled amongst the Mourne Mountains, the fantastically named Life Adventure Centre offers canoeing and kayaking, hill walking and rock climbing, trail and mountain biking, wet bouldering and coasteering, archery and clay pigeon shooting, raft building and team quests, even add some Wild Camping or Bothy Nights!

Options include equipment hire, guided trips, skills courses, adventure experiences or full Tour Packages.

As the 'Outdoor Capital of Ireland', Castlewellan Forest Park and the wider Mournes are a must visit destination for adventure seekers. Ideal for a fun introduction, learning basics, developing techniques, or that all essential opportunity to go and explore.

The centre is an 'Adventure Mark' accredited provider, a member of the Institute of Outdoor Learning, affiliated to the 'Association of Mountaineering Instructors' and Silver Recipients in the 2015 'Irish Responsible Tourism Awards' for Best Adventure Provider. They have also been awarded Gold in the Green Tourism Awards.
onegreatadventure.com

Carrowmena Activity Centre - Limavady

Based in the former Carrowmena Primary School, built in 1936, the now Carrowmena Activity Centre & Hostel lies in an area of outstanding natural beauty at the foot of Binevenagh in the beautiful Roe Valley.

The centre offers a raft of activities for all the family, including orienteering, hill walking, raft building, surfing, canoeing, rock climbing, zip lining, and some high-rise climbing activities such as the tri-stack, centipede, leap of faith and Jacob's ladder.

The centre also offers a number of ongoing deals, with special events and prices for Easter, St Patrick's Day, and during mid-term breaks.
For more information and booking, go to carrowmena.co.uk

Bushcraft Skills

As the weather begins, hopefully, to improve and the nights get incrementally brighter, what better time to prepare for bigger summer adventures than with smaller adventures during which you learn how to survive in the wild.

The Northern Ireland Survival School offers courses that focus on spring, summer, autumn and winter resources and they are perfect for beginners.

The school "specialises in teaching real bushcraft and survival skills", with instructors that are "highly motivated and very experienced in the bushcraft and survival skills arena having studied at some of the best and most renowned wilderness living schools in the UK".

Northern Ireland Survival School believes in a "back to basics approach to skills and teaching" and their courses are not military style boot camps but neither are they for the "tree hugging fanatic who wants to lose themselves in nature".

Beginners classes are offered four times a year:
• Spring Seedling Course - April 16 to 17 2016 - Focus on Spring resources
• Summer Seedling - June 25 -26 2016 - Focus on Summer resources
• Autumn Seedling - August 27 - 28 2016 - Focus on Autumn resources
• Winter Seedling - November 19th -20th 2016 - Focus on Winter resources, especially fire and shelter, known as 'The hardest seedling'


There are also intermediate courses and special, invite only, advance courses.
For more information go to www.nisurvival.co.uk