Undiscovered Ireland North (8 Day Tour)

DAY 1: MEET AT DUBLIN AIRPORT, TRAVEL TO CARLINGFORD, SHORT WALK BEFORE DINNER

Terrain: quiet lanes and mountain path | Elev Gain: 300 ft. | Walking Distance 3 miles (4.8 km)

You will be met with a warm welcome at Dublin Airport. Then we travel north to the pretty fishing village of Carlingford in County Louth. There are lovely views across the lough to the Mountains of Mourne, and the village backdrop is the mighty mountain of Slieve Foye. We will take a walk along the lower slopes of Slieve Foye in order to be rewarded with stunning views back over Carlingford Lough. Carlingford is steeped in medieval history and there are many sites of interest to wander around, including an ancient castle and an abbey ruin.

Overnight: Carlingford, County Louth. Meals Included: Dinner.

DAY 2: HIKE THE COOLEY HILLS AND BLACK MOUNTAIN

Terrain: lanes, mountain track, moorland | Elev Gain: 1400ft. | Walking Distance 8 miles (12.9 km)

Our first full day walk will be at Ravensdale forest and the Cooley Hills. We will encounter an ancient stone circle along the way and learn about the legend of the Cattle Raid of Cooley. After climbing gently over heath and moorland on the lower slopes of the Black Mountain we will enjoy fine views of Newry, Rostrevor and the Mountains of Mourne in Northern Ireland. We will finish this walk early enough in the afternoon for you to enjoy another wander around Carlingford Village.

Alternative Walk Options: shorter option of walking just three miles. Or relax and visit the pretty medieval village of Carlingford with its quaint shops and cafes.

Overnight: Carlingford, County Louth. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

DAY 3: TRAVEL TO DONEGAL, HIKE IN THE BLUESTACK MOUNTAINS

Terrain: lakeside track, pine forest trail | Elev 500 ft. | Walking Distance 5 miles (8 km)

A visit to Donegal is like a trip back in time: beautiful day-walks and spectacular sunsets are promised along the rugged Donegal coastline. Our driving journey today will take us across Ireland to Donegal stopping briefly on the way for a break at Aughnacloy, County Tyrone. Then we will stop to hike in the Bluestack Mountains of County Donegal for a wonderful walk at near Letterbarrow. Finally making our way to an award-winning guest house / restaurant on the edge of Donegal Town where we can relax for the next two nights.

Aternative Walk Options: this walk is a very easy 5 miles.

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

DAY 4: HIKE MAGNIFICENT SLIEVE LEAGUE

Terrain: grassy mountain paths, open heath, muddy / rocky track | Elev 1600ft. | Walking Distance 9 miles (14.5 km)

We head for Europe’s highest sea cliffs at Slieve League (2000ft) today. In many people’s opinion Slieve League is Donegal’s piece de resistance and one of the most stunningly beautiful sights on earth. The cliffs are three times higher than the Cliffs of Moher, but less well known due to their remote location. On a fine day, the vista is incredible. An isolated gentle green road brings us out onto the most majestic views of the Atlantic Ocean. This walk is truly an unforgettable one! We will return to our guest house in Donegal for another fine meal.

Alternative Walk Options: there is a shorter option of walking just 4 miles, or spending time in Donegal Town, one mile walk from the guest house.

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

DAY 5: HIKE AT SLISH WOOD AND LOUGH GILL, TRAVEL TO WESTPORT

Terrain: Town walk, causeway to the island, quiet lanes | Walking Distance 7 miles (11.3 km)

This morning we travel south to County Mayo. Mayo has a landscape of high cliffs, lonely mountains and fuchsia hedges. En route we stop in County Sligo for a walk at Slish Wood and Lough Gill. A warm welcome awaits us at our guest house in the wonderfully pretty Westport Town.

Alternative Walk Options: take an easy stroll around Sligo Town.

Overnight: Westport, County Mayo. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

DAY 6: HIKE AT KILLARY FJORD AND VISIT KYLEMORE ABBEY

Terrain: waterside paths, rocky tracks | Elev Gain: 100 ft. | Walking Distance 6 miles (9.7 km)

On now to Connemara: a wild, rugged, unspoilt area with a ragged coastline and an impressive group of mountains – the Twelve Bens. Our walk today will be at Killary fjord which forms the natural border between County Mayo and County Galway. The view to the north looks out across the fjord to Mweelrea, western Ireland’s highest mountain. Later we will stop to visit Kylemore Abbey: western Ireland’s most famous landmark. Nestled at the base of the mountains in the heart of Connemara, Kylemore is regarded as one of the most beautiful buildings in Ireland.

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

Overnight: Clifden, County Galway. Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch.

DAY 7: FERRY TO INISHMORE, ARAN ISLAND, VISIT DUN AENGHUS AND HIKE THE ISLAND

Terrain: quiet lanes, grassy tracks, rocky shore | Walking Distance 8 miles(12.9 km)

We’ll take an early ferry to Inismore, the largest of the three Aran Islands in Galway Bay. The first part of our walk today takes us up to visit Dun Aenghus, a massive semi-circular ring fort lodged on the edge of cliffs that drop 300 ft into the Atlantic. Gaze out from the cliff tops across the wild Atlantic Ocean (next stop Newfoundland!). Our walk consists of much varied terrain, beginning with a fabulous trek across the 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.

Alternative Walk Options: the full walk is 8 miles long, there is an alternative option of just 2-3 miles available.

Overnight: Clifden, County Galway. Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch.

DAY 8

Time to say Goodbye today. We will drop you at the Galway City Bus / Railway Station at approximately 12 noon. From here it is very easy to get a direct bus or train back to Dublin or Shannon for your flight home. The journey from Galway to Dublin takes approx 4 hours, the journey fro Galway to Shannon takes 1.5 hours.

Meals Included: Breakfast.