Hidden Ireland (Two Week Tour)

DAY 1: MEET AT DUBLIN AIRPORT, TRAVEL TO ANTRIM VIA HILLSBOROUGH

Terrain: sandy beach | Elevation gain: sea level | Walking Distance 3 miles (4.8 km)

The first part of our journey will take us directly north from Dublin to the coast of County Antrim. We will stop on the way for a visit to Hillsborough the famous and historical village in County Down renowned for its beautiful castle and Georgian houses. For our first three nights we will stay at a lovely hotel with great views of the Antrim Coast. The Antrim Coast is an official Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and you will soon see for yourself how the title was earned. After dinner there should be time for a short stroll along the Causeway Coast.

Overnight: Portballintrae, Bushmills, County Antrim. Meals Included: Dinner.

DAY 2: HIKE THE ANTRIM COAST FROM THE GIANT’S CAUSEWAY

Terrain: well-maintained coast path, beach, cliffs | Elev 250ft. | Walking Distance 8 miles (12.8 km)

Our walk today will take us along the stunning Antrim coastline, highlighted by the world famous Giants Causeway. The Causeway consists of thousands of hexagonal black basalt columns. Sixty million years ago an undersea explosion resulted in this fascinating geological structure, and it is officially known as one of the great wonders of the Natural World.  The views are spectacular along this entire route, and in fine weather, it is possible to see straight across to the coast of Scotland.

Alternative Walk Options: there is a shorter alternative of hiking just four miles.

Overnight: Portballintrae, Bushmills, County Antrim. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

DAY 3 FERRY TO RATHLIN ISLAND, 5 MILE HIKE

Terrain: coast path, stone tracks, tarmac path | Elevation gain: 340 feet | Walking Distance 6 miles (9.65km)

We’re off on a ferry today to Rathlin Island (ferry crossing 1 hour).  The islands is located off the North Coast of Antrim, and is a haven for birdlife.  Our walk takes us south via Ushet Lough towards Rue Point Lighthouse at the southernmost tip of the island.  

Walk Options: there is a shorter alternative of hiking just one or two miles.

Overnight: Portballintrae, Bushmills, County Antrim. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

DAY 4: TRAVEL TO DONEGAL.  HIKE GLENVEAGH NATIONAL PARK.

Terrain: lakeside forest path, stoney track.  Elevation gain: 50 ft. | Walking Distance 6 miles (9.65 km)

We’re off into the West today to County Donegal, staying in the village of Dunfanaghy, in the Gaelic speaking region of north western Ireland.  Our accommodation is an award winning, family run guest house on the edge of the village.  We will stop en route to hike at Glenveagh National Park for a walk that begins in the wilderness of the Derryveagh Mountains and ends at a beautiful castle with landscaped gardens.

Overnight: Dunfanaghy, County Donegal. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

DAY 5: HIKE ARDS FOREST PARK

Terrain: road, forest, beach, dunes, beach. | Elev gain 400 ft.| Walking Distance 8 miles (12.9 km)

Our walk is at Ards Forest Park, just a few miles outside the village.  This is one of the northernmost peninsulas of County Donegal.  We will be taking the longest of the park trails, with a wide variety of habitats, with interesting flora and fauna.   We switch from level ground at the seashore to slightly more challenging terrain at higher elevations.  But we will be rewarded with wonderful hill and coastal scenery.

Alternative: if you don’t wish to hike today and would like a “day off” then this is an ideal time to hike in to the village of Dunfanaghy.

Overnight: Dunfanaghy, County Donegal. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

DAY 6: WALK AT BENULBEN FOREST PARK, VISIT SHEEP FARM / SHEEPDOG DEMONSTRATION

Terrain: clear forest track and open gravel paths.  Elev 50 ft. | Walking Distance 4 miles (6.4 km)

Our walk today is in the foothills of the mighty mountain Benbulben.  A pleasant easy hike in the footsteps of W. B Yeats.  After this we visit a nearby sheep farm for a sheep dog demonstration.  Our overnight stop is the lovely seaside town of Strandhill, County Sligo.

Alternative walk options: take an easy 2 mile stroll at Benbulben Forest Park.

Overnight: Strandhill, County Sligo. Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

DAY 7: VISIT GALWAY CITY, TRAVEL ON TO COUNTY CLARE, HIKE SLIEVE ELVA IN THE BURREN

Terrain: forest tracks, green road, stoney trails | Elev 100 ft. | Walking Distance 4 miles (6.4 km)

We leave Galway at lunchtime  and then travel south to the Burren Region of County Clare – a huge plateau of limestone and shale aptly summed up with the words, “savage land, yielding neither water enough to drown a man, nor a tree to hang him, nor soil enough to bury him”. The Burren, also described as a strange lunar-like region of bare carboniferous limestone, occupies around one hundred square miles of County Clare. Below the surface of the Burren is the most remarkable network of spectacular caves, streams and potholes.

Alternative Walk Options: the full walk is only 4 miles long.

Overnight: Doolin, County Clare. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

DAY 8: HIKE THE COASTAL BURREN AREA

Terrain: coastal Burren trail and stoney track | Elev 300ft. | Walking Distance 5 miles (8 km)

Today we will be accompanied by our local expert guide. He will take us to sites of botanical, geological and archaeological interest. The Burren region is famous for its flora: you will never see anything like the carpets of primroses, coastal displays of sea pinks, or the white flower of the blackthorn cascading over all the hedgerows. Rare and spectacular plants occur in abundance. Orchids grow everywhere in the Burren and 23 out of the 27 Irish species are to be found here.

Overnight: Doolin, County Clare. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

DAY 9: FERRY FROM DOOLIN TO INISHEER, THE SMALLEST ARAN ISLAND

Terrain: gravel and stone paths, good tarmac road trails | Elev gain: 200 ft. | Walking Distance 5 miles (8 km)

We take the ferry direct from the village of Doolin to Inisheer.  A tiny island in Galway Bay: the smallest of the three Aran Islands.  We take a good trail over of limestone slabs, navigating through narrow lanes lined with dry stone walls,  Then on to rocky flagstones of the northwestern shore of the island. We then travel on along quiet grassy tracks with fine views lined with endless stretches of dry stone walls. There will be some time to explore the castle ruins and the village in your own time later in the afternoon

Alternative Walk Option: the full walk is 5 miles long, there is an alternative option of just 2-3 miles available.

Overnight: Adare, County Limerick. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

DAY 10: TRAVEL TO DINGLE PENINSULA AND HIKE THE COASTAL PATH

Terrain: coastal path of gravel and grass | Elev 300 ft. | Walking Distance 4 miles (6.4 km)

We will drive south from Newcastle West to . We will arrive in the late morning in Dingle.  Our first walk on the Dingle Peninsula will be along the coast past the old lighthouse, looking out across Dingle Harbour.  We make our walk past dramatic cliffs and coves to Beenbawn and return by the same route.

Alternative walk options: stroll in to Dingle town to visit the shops / galleries / restaurants. 

Overnight: Dingle, County Kerry. Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch.

DAY 11: HIKE AT FAR END OF DINGLE PENINSULA AT BALLYDAVID HEAD

Terrain: country lanes, coast path, steep cliff, moorland | Elev gain: 1000 ft. | Walking Distance 6 miles (9.7 km)

We travel today to the western side of the Brandon Ridge to walk at Ballydavid Head, for one of the best walks on the Dingle Peninsula. We climb gently through moorland grass to reach a fine vantage point with expansive views of the surrounding hills, fields, mountains, sea and cliffs. This area could be described as a “photographer’s paradise”. We will take our time to take pictures, relax, and enjoy the views. We will then return to Dingle for some free time to browse the lovely shops and galleries.

Alternative Walk Option: stroll in to Dingle town to visit the shops / galleries / restaurants. 

Overnight: Dingle, County Kerry. Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch.

DAY 12: WALK FROM NORTH SIDE TO SOUTH SIDE OF DINGLE PENINSULA

Terrain: mountain track, bog, country lanes | Elev 1100 ft. | Walking Distance 9 miles

We will drive across the highest road pass in Ireland, the Connor Pass to reach the spectacular green valley of Magha na Bo. Our path leads through a beautiful steep-sided valley towards the pass at Beenbo Mountain. We climb gently beside the river and on to open heathland where we can find the elusive sundew and butterwort (insectivorous plants of the bog) and the feathery white flags of the bog cotton. We cross over the pass and follow a track to Annascaul village. We can visit the South Pole Inn: once owned by Tom Crean, one of the heroes of the Shackleton expedition to the South Pole.

Alternative Walk Options: there is a shorter option available of 3-4 miles

Overnight: Dingle, County Kerry. Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch.

DAY 13: BOAT RIDE ACROSS THE LAKES OF KILLARNEY, HIKE KILLARNEY NATIONAL PARK, TRAVEL TO KENMARE 

Terrain: forest trails (sometimes muddy), some rocky paths | Elev 600ft | Walking Distance 6 miles (12.8 km)

Today we will take a boat across the Lakes of Killarney to Lord Brandon’s Cottage, a Victorian hunting Lodge.   From here we will hike the beautiful Kerry Way through the valleys and forests of the Kerry mountains.  We then travel further south to Kenmare, County Kerry. .

Overnight: Kenmare, County Kerry. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

DAY 14: WALK PART OF THE KERRY WAY

Terrain: boardwalk, stone tracks | Elev Gain: 1200ft | Walking Distance 6 miles (9.6 km)

Today we will again walk part of the Kerry Way: starting at Gowlane, the trail climbs 140m over next 2km leading towards a gap between Peakeen Mountain and Knockanaguish. Looking back to the south, there are great views across Kenmare Bay to the Beara Peninsula.

Walk Options: the full walk is 6 miles long, there is an alternative option of just hiking one or two miles

Overnight: Kenmare, County Kerry. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

DAY 15: DEPART FOR KILLARNEY AFTER BREAKFAST

We must say Goodbye to Ireland after our 1 hour drive to Killarney, where you can take a bus or train to Dublin.

Meals Included: Breakfast.