This is a splendid trip along Ireland’s western coastline where as part of the trip you visit and walk two beautiful islands off the Western Coast, starting with Inishbofin off the coast of Connemara and Inishmore, the biggest of the Aran Islands off the coast of Galway. You will also walk along by the Famine Trail as you overlook Ireland’s only fjord the Killary Fjord and along some of the most spectacular tracks which will give you breathtaking views over the wild landscape and the Atlantic coast of Connemara. On this trip you will get a glimpse of some dramatic scenery and the opportunity to meet real Irish characters.
You will be staying in the scenic village of Leenane at the head of Killary Fjord, then in Clifden, the ‘Capital of Connemara’, spending one night on Inishmore, and finally you will end your journey in Galway city. Depending on the option you choose, you will stay either at comfortable guesthouses or lovely 3* hotels where rooms are en-suite, breakfasts are excellent, and the scenery is some of Ireland’s finest. For your walks you will be brought by vehicle to the starting points, from where you will walk, with the help of maps and detailed route notes.
Prices
Hotel Option:From €895.00 per person sharing.From €1295.00 for a single traveller (travelling alone)
B&B Option: From €695.00 per person sharing. From €1,125.00 for a single traveller (travelling alone)
Duration: 7 Days / 6 Nights
Dates 2018: This tour starts every Friday between Apr – October. Alternative scheduling also available for €70 extra booking.
Level: Moderate walking on even surfaces, and 2 island walks accessed by ferry.
Equipment: Correct rain proof gear and walking boots are essential to bring with you.
Extras: Detailed route notes and maps, ferry tickets to Inishbofin and Inishmore.
Accommodation: Depending on the option: 3* Hotels or B&Bs & Guesthouse
Meals: All Irish Breakfasts
Transfers: Taxi from Maam Cross bus stop to Leenane included. Citylink bus run 5 daily from Galway to Maam Cross (Galway-Clifden bus line). Transfers to starting point of walks and from, where indicated. Luggage transfers as far as Rossaveal. From Rossaveal, you carry your own luggage. Taxi from Leenane to Cleggan for ferry to Inishbofin, from Cleggan to Clifden and taxi from Clifden to ferry port in Rossaveal for Aran Islands. From Rossaveal to Galway city, you travel by public bus, which you pay directly.
Meeting Point: A Connemara Adventure Tours representative will meet you either on the afternoon of your arrival or the following morning.
Departure Point: Galway City
Day 1 – Leenane
Arrive to the lovely village of Leenane. Warm welcome and chance to settle in. You will be given your route notes and general information to study overnight.
Day 2 – Famine Trails 15kms/80m Elevation/3-4Hours Walk
After breakfast a taxi will pick you up and bring you from your accommodation in Leenane to the starting point of today’s walk which is at the tip of Killary Harbour. With your map in hand you will walk above the shore of Killary Harbour, Ireland’s only fjord, along the ‘Famine Trail’, a now disused road built during the Great Famine (1848) to provide some employment for the once extensive population of Connemara. You will continue along the Western Way to the village of Leenane where you will be staying tonight. Dinner is of your own choice in the village of Leenane.
Day 3 – Inishbofin Island -Choice of walks between 6 & 15kms, Elevation from 60 to 180m,between 1 TO 5 hours walking
Today you will have an all day and an overnight excursion to Inishbofin – one of three offshore islands just off the coast of Connemara! A taxi will pick you up at your accommodation and bring you and your luggage to Cleggan where you will take the ferry to Inishbofin to sample the unique ‘island life’ and take in one of Ireland’s unique attractions. This island is an ideal spot for swimming, hill walking, cycling and angling. Irish traditional music takes Inishbofin to its heart and world-class musicians visit it regularly. On arrival your first glimpse of Bofin will be the impressive ‘Cromwell’s Barracks’ – these are well-preserved ruins dating back to the 17th century. There are also many kinds of unusual birds as well as colonies of seals on the island. For lucky visitors, there is also the possibility of sighting dolphins, whales and sharks!
Day 4 – Clifden & The Sky Road
You return on the morning ferry to Cleggan where a taxi will pick you up and take you to Clifden, known as the “Capital of Connemara”. You will have the chance to spend the day exploring this pretty, colourful town and also to walk to Clifden Castle (6 km/160 m elevation/1-2 hours walking). Enjoy a well-deserved relaxing evening and experience the atmosphere of this vibrant little town
Day 5 – Inishmore Island – choice of walks or bike ride etween 8 to 25kms/Elevation from 50 to 220m/Between 1 to 6 hours walk or bike ride
A taxi picks you up after breakfast and brings you to Rossaveal in time to take the morning ferry to Inishmore. Inishmore is the largest of the Aran Islands. There are many antiquities on the island, and some of the most fascinating are Dun Aengus, Dun Eoghasa, early Christian monasteries and many more. You may want to discover them on foot, or alternatively there are bicycles for hire at the pier. Stay the night in a guesthouse on the island, and enjoy a dinner in one of the restaurants
Day 6 – Galway
Return to the mainland with either the morning or the evening ferry and take the public bus (at your own expense) from Rossaveal into Galway. Spend some time in this bustling, historic town. Enjoy dinner at your own choice (and expense) in one of the many restaurants, and afterwards the lively pub scene. You will be staying in a Guesthouse in Galway tonight.
Day 7 – Departure
Depart after breakfast.
