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 two nights we will stay at a lovely guest house 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: 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 150ft. | 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: Bushmills, County Antrim. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

DAY 3: TRAVEL TO DONEGAL, HIKE GLENVEAGH NATIONAL PARK, VISIT GARDENS AND CASTLE

Terrain: lakeside forest path | Elevation gain: 50 feet | Walking Distance 7 miles (11.2km)

We’re off into the west today to County Donegal: we will be located in the village of Dunfanaghy, in the Gaelic-speaking region of north western Ireland. Our accommodation is the award-winning Mill Guest House and Restaurant. This area is famous for excellent traditional Irish music and we hope to be able to enjoy hearing some music in the pubs. We will stop at Glenveagh National Park for a walk which begins in the wild country in the mountains and finishes at the beautiful Lough Beagh and Glenveagh Castle gardens.

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

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

DAY 4: HIKE ARDS FOREST PARK, VISIT POOR HOUSE MUSEUM

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

Setting out this morning, our walk today will be at the Ards Forest Park peninsula. This is one of the northernmost peninsulas of County Donegal. This is the longest Ards Forest Park trail, visiting a variety of habitats, with interesting flora and fauna.  We switch from level ground at the seashore to more difficult conditions at higher elevations, providing much wonderful hill and coastal scenery.  On our return through Dunfanaghy there will be time to visit the Poor House Museum. We will round off the day nicely with another wonderful four-course dinner at the Mill.

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

DAY 5: HIKE THE CREEVY COASTAL TRAIL IN COUNTY DONEGAL, TRAVEL TO SLIGO

Terrain: fields, beach, cliff path, occasional muddy track | Elev 300 ft.| Walking Distance 8 miles (12.9 km)

This morning we will head south to County Sligo, but on our way we stop to walk near Rossnowlagh to hike the Creevy Coastal Walk – walkers are enchanted by breathtaking views along this specially constructed cliff walk. The  route passes over moor and farmland and beach. Tonight we will stay at Grange in County Sligo.

Alternative Walk Options: if you don’t wish to walk, there is a lovely small hotel at Creevy Pier where you can while away the time admiring the sea views with a good book and coffee!

Overnight: Grange in County Sligo. Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch.

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: Ballyvaughan or Lisdoonvarna in the Burren. 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: Ballyvaughan or Lisdoonvarna in the Burren. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

DAY 9: HIKE FROM THE CLIFFS OF MOHER TO DOOLIN, TRAVEL SOUTH TO COUNTY LIMERICK

Terrain: gravel and stone cliff path | Elev gain: 200 ft. | Walking Distance 6 miles (9.7 km)

The Cliffs of Moher: one of Ireland’s most notable sights. Towering 660 feet above the wild Atlantic, these cliffs are noted for abundant birdlife including puffins. We will begin our walk at the Cliffs and hike six miles along the cliff path to Doolim. Leaving County Clare, we will travel south to Newcastle West in County Limerick. 

Alternative Walk Option: the full walk is 6 miles long, there is an alternative option of just 2-3 miles available.

Overnight: Newcastle West, County Limerick. Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch.

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.