Active Pursuits in Derry City
Bicycling
Whether you want to rent a bike and do your own exploring or sign up for a cycling tour of County Derry and County Donegal, An Mointean Rent-a-Bike and Cycle Tours, 245 Lone Moor Rd., Derry (tel. 028/7128-7128), offers excellent service. Rental of mountain or touring bikes costs from about £15 a day, £50 a week. Package tours with bed-and-breakfast included are also available.
Fishing
The Foyle System of rivers makes this a promising area for snagging brown and sea trout (Apr to early July and Sept) and a variety of salmon (Mar-Sept). In addition, there is a stocked lake at Glenowen. Call Glenowen Fisheries Co-operative (tel. 028/7137-1544) for bookings. You can outfit yourself and get useful information at Rod and Line, 1 Clarendon St., Derry (tel. 028/7126-2877). If you're looking for an experienced local ghillie (guide) or boatman, contact Glenowen Fisheries Co-operative (tel. 028/7137-1544), or the Faughan Angler's Association, 26a Carlisle Rd., Derry (tel. 028/7126-7781). For a game-fishing rod license (currently £15 per season), contact the Loughs Agency, 22 Victoria Rd., Derry (tel. 028/7134-2100; www.loughs-agency.org).
Golf
Derry has two 18-hole parkland courses: the City of Derry Golf Club, 49 Victoria Rd. (tel. 028/7134-6369; www.cityofderrygolfclub.com), with greens fees of £30 weekdays, £40 weekends; and the very inexpensive Foyle International Golf Centre, 12 Alder Rd., Derry (tel. 028/7135-2222; www.foylegolfcentre.co.uk), which charges greens fees of £17 weekdays, £20 weekends. It is always best to phone ahead.
Horseback Riding
Ardmore Stables, 8 Rushall Rd., Ardmore (tel. 028/7134-5187 or 0778/482-4080; www.ardmorestables.com), offers lessons, trail rides, and pony trekking. Across the border, only 6.5km (4 miles) from Derry in County Donegal, Lenamore Stables, Muff, Inishowen (tel. 4077/938-4022; www.lenamorestables.net), also offers lessons and trekking, and has guest accommodations.
Walking
Just outside the city, off the main Derry-Belfast road, the Ness Woods have scenic walks, nature trails, and the North's highest waterfall.
