With a mixture of little-used trails, ancient pilgrim paths and coastal ways this tour offers a unique way to view the western Atlantic coastline and experience a part of the famous Wild Atlantic Way. The walks are varied but all offer stunning views and a true sense of the beauty and majesty of the West of Ireland.
We will transfer you to the start of each walk and provide you with detailed route notes and maps. This tour also includes a trip to Inish Bofin island and the chance to summit Ireland’s ‘Holy Mountain’ Croagh Patrick. Accommodation each evening will be at a range of comfortable and welcoming B&Bs or 3* Hotels, depending on which option you choose.
Prices
3* Hotel option from €895.00 per person sharing. Single Traveller rate is €1,295
B&B option from €695.00 per person sharing. Single Traveller rate is €1,125
Duration: 7 days/ 6 nights
Dates 2018: Tour starts every Friday between April and October. Alternative scheduling also available for €70 extra per booking.
Level: Moderate walking on back roads, trails and on Croagh Patrick it is a more rocky ascent
Equipment: It is essential to bring correct rain proof gear and walking boots with you.
Accommodation: 3* Hotels or Selected B&Bs & Guesthouses
Meals: All Full Irish Breakfasts
Transfers: Taxi from Maam Cross bus stop to Leenane on arrival day included (Citylink bus has 5 daily buses from Galway to Maam Cross / Galway-Clifden bus line). All luggage transfers from accommodation to accommodation. Transfers to and from the start and finish of each walk.
Misc: Ferry tickets for Inish Bofin
Meeting Point: A Connemara Adventure Tours representative will meet you either on the afternoon of your arrival or the following morning.
Departure Point: You depart from your last night’s accommodation in Westport.
DAY 1 – Arrival to Leenane village
You will arrive today to the little village of Leenane. Overlooking Killary Harbour, Ireland’s only fjord, your accommodation enjoys what is perhaps one of the most scenic locations in Ireland. We will meet you here, either on the evening of arrival or the following morning (depending on your arrival time), to go through your itinerary and answer any questions you may have about your tour
DAY 2 – Famine Trail
This morning you will be transferred by taxi to Rosroe, the start of the Famine Trail. The Famine Trail is a two to three hour hike along the shore of Ireland’s only Fjord. The walk features dramatic coastal landscapes, the brooding Mweelrea mountain, bog land and stunning views. You will pass by the Killary Sheep Farm and the terrain includes small road, rocky trail and boggy track. You will follow the track all the way back to Leenane village where you can enjoy a well-deserved pint of Guinness back at your hotel or in one of the village pubs!
DAY 3 – Maumean
Today you will be transferred to the start of the beautiful Maumean walk after a hearty breakfast at your accommodation. Maumean is sometimes referred to as St Patrick’s Well or Patrick’s Bed and is located on a height of 320m. Mam Ean means Pass of the Birds. This walk follows an ancient Pilgrim’s Path to St Patrick’s second holy mountain. It is now the site of a small chapel, a hollow in the rock known as Patrick’s Bed, a life-size statue of the saint, and a series of stone crosses, marking the 14 Stations of the Cross. You then follow the Western Way to the scenic Inagh Valley where you will stay tonight. The valley is surrounded by the majestic Maam Turks and Twelve Bens mountain ranges. It is a perfect haven for complete rest and relaxation after a day on the hills.
DAY 4 – Inishbofin Island
Today you will be picked up from your accommodation and brought to Cleggan pier where you will take the ferry to Inish Bofin. Bofin or ‘Inis Bo Finne’ (Island of the White Cow) lies seven miles off Galway’s coast. The island is 5.7km by 4km. It is estimated that Bofin was inhabited as far back as 8000 – 4000 B.C. The first documented history of the island dates from early Christian times. As you sail around the tower and signal light into the harbour, you will notice Cromwell’s 16th century barracks. This was used as a prison for catholic priests from all over the country after the English Statute of 1585 declared them guilty of high treason. There are a number of looped walks around the island which you are free to explore for the evening and the island is renowned for its traditional music sessions which you can experience in any of the local pubs.
DAY 5 – Renvyle Peninsula
Today you will take the ferry back to Cleggan pier, where you will be met and brought to the start of your walk on the Renvyle Peninsula in the National Park of Connemara. This is a relatively easy walk and a rewarding one with stunningly beautiful views. The summit offers views onto the whole peninsula, the islands of Inish Bofin and Inish Turk to the west and north west, the Mamturk mountains and the Ben Choona mountain range to the south. You will be picked up at the end of your walk and dropped off to your accommodation on the Renvyle peninsula, where you will be greeted by friendliness and warmth.
DAY 6 – Croagh Patrick & Westport
After breakfast you will be transferred from Renvyle to the start of today’s climb at Murrisk, Co. Mayo. A place of ancient history, Croagh Patrick is St Patrick’s sacred mountain, and a rich vein of archaeological heritage. The dazzling quartzite pyramid of Croagh Patrick (764m), which dominates the land south of Clew Bay in the west of Ireland, has been a holy mountain since before Christian times. Ireland’s fifth-century patron saint, St Patrick, is said to have made it his own when he fasted on its summit for forty days, and ever since it has been an important place of Christian pilgrimage. Over 15,000 pilgrims climb to the top every year on the last Sunday of July, traditionally known as ‘Reek Sunday’. After you have conquered Croagh Patrick you will be picked up and brought to your accommodation in Westport, from where you can set out to explore the town and soak up the music and atmosphere. Perfect after a day climbing the pilgrim’s mountain!
DAY 7 – After a final breakfast and farewell you commence your homeward journey.
