DAILY ITINERARY

Arrive Shannon and transfer (75 minutes) to Doolin for our first night introductions, briefing and get acquainted dinner. Irish music. Doolin is the “home” of Irish music, with traditional sessions in all 3 pubs year round.

Starting our Burren hike at Fanore, we will hike the “green” road around the spectacular BlackHead to its summit; then and on to Gleningh Mountain with incredible views across Galway Bay and on to our finish at the Caher Valley river. This is a guided hike and it will really get you in the mood for the Burren. Overnight and evening dinner at Doolin. Music in the pubs. 14kms./9.7miles. Max height gain 1200 ft. Hiking time 5 hrs. Boots essential.

We will be driven a short distance from our guesthouse to the start of our hike at Ballinalacken Castle. From here we follow the “Burren May” along old green roads into the heart of the Burren with wonderful limestone pavements and walls all around us. As we continue on our hike passing Fermoyle Chapel to Lismacsheedy, there are fantastic views over Galway Bay and the Aran Islands. Old ring forts can be found along the way as we continue on past the impressive Newtown Castle. We again return to Doolin for our overnight stay in the same guesthouse. This is a free night for dinner. This is a self-guided hiking day led by me. 17kms/10.6 miles. Max height gain 500ft. Hiking time 6hrs. There will be some road walking plus muddy and rocky grass tracks; it may be wet underfoot. Boots essential.

We transfer to the world famous Cliffs of Moher for a hike along this area of the Burren, returning to the ferry at Doolin for our afternoon transfer to Inis Mor, the largest of the Aran Islands and our stop for the next two nights. Overnight and dinner at Inis Mor.  This is a guided hike. 14kms/9.7miles. No elevation gain. Hiking time 5hrs. Boat transfer 100 minutes.

We spend the day hiking on this spectacular island, home to the world known Dun Aonghasa with its remarkable “chevaux-de-frise” of limestone uprights; a must for a visit to the Aran’s. This is a guided hike. Overnight and dinner at Aranmor. 15kms/9.3miles. Max height gain 330ft. hiking time 6hrs.

A morning transfer to Rossaveel on the Connemara coast. We join the Western Way for our hike over the pass at Mamean and St. Patrick’s Well finishing at the hamlet of Leanane at the mouth of Killary Harbour. This is a guided hike. 12kms/ 7.5 miles. Max height gain 500ft. Hiking time 4 hrs. Boat and transfer time is 2 hrs. Overnight and evening dinner at Kylemore.

Today’s hike takes us along the shores of Killary harbor, Irelands only fjord and under the shadows of Mweelrea Mountain, the king of the Connemara peaks. Returning along the ridge with views of the fjord and the islands out to sea. This is a guided hike. 14kms/ 8.7 miles. Max height gain 1200 ft. Hiking time 6 hrs. Overnight and evening dinner at Kylemore.

After a short transfer from our accommodation, we do a short two/three hour walk on the lovely Tully Mountain with views south across Ballynakill Harbour to Clifden and west ---out to sea to the islands of Inishbofin, Inishturk and Inishshark. After a 1 hour visit to Kylemore Abbey and its famous gothic church, we do a mid-day transfer to Galway for our final evening and overnight. There will be free afternoon time in Galway City. I may find a nearby mountain to climb for any coalition of the willing. This is a guided hike. Transfer time to Galway---approximately 1_ hours. Overnight in Galway with free evening for dinner in a local restaurant. 1200 ft. elevation gain. 2 to 3 hours hiking time on mountain trail and open hillside. Boots essential.