Inspiring Adventures in the Wild Places of Ireland

SAMPLE ITINERARY  Hiking Ireland’s Northern Highlights in Style

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INTRODUCTION

This rugged and beautiful wilderness is a corner of Europe that somehow the rush of the modern world overlooked. Its rolling mountains, towering cliffs, swathes of white sand beaches and tiny villages have been left to their own devices, today as romantically remote as they have been for generations. Our route will take us from the Giants Causeway in sight of Scotland along the northern rim of Ireland to the dramatic edge of some of the highest sea cliffs in Europe. We shall explore tiny islands and coastal headlands rich in wildlife; hike through mountain landscapes awash with myths and legends; experience the freshest of seafood; each evening retiring to pampered luxury.

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PROPOSED ITINERARY

Day 1 – GIANTS CAUSEWAY Meeting in Dublin we travel north to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Giant’s Causeway. Our walk will take us along the cliff tops and stretches of white sand beach to reach this fascinating geological phenomena; the focal point of a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty that has attracted visitors for centuries. After lunch we shall have a tour of one of Ireland’s oldest whiskey distilleries and a tasting of the ‘Uisce Beatha’(the Irish word for whiskey which translates as ‘the water of life’)! (L)

Walk description: 13km | Ascent: 120m | Time: 3-4hrs

Accommodation: Luxury, Four Star Boutique Hotel

Day 2 –RATHLIN ISLANDThis morning we shall set sail for the nearby wildlife haven of Rathlin Island. Seals lie undisturbed on the harbour beach and the island’s cliff edges are thick with guillemots, kittiwakes, gannets, razorbills and puffins. Our walk will take us to a lighthouse on the western end of the island where the cliffs and sea stacks support the largest seabird breeding colony in Northern Ireland. (B, PL)

Walk description: 18km | Ascent: 200m | Time: 4-5hrs

Accommodation: Luxury, Four Star Boutique Hotel

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Day 3 – DERRY & THE INISHOWEN PENINSULA The Inishowen Peninsula stretches north with its tip, Malin Head, being the most northerly point of Ireland jutting into the restless Atlantic Ocean. It is a wild windswept landscape peppered in ancient archaeological remains. Our walk climbs over rugged hills and past dramatic coastal cliffs. We shall then visit the beautiful walled city of Derry to listen to the good news story of this now peaceful city from a local resident. (B,PL)

Walk description: 8km | Ascent: 250m | Time: 2-3hrsAccommodation: 4-Star Georgian Country House Hotel, Rathmullan

Day 4 – EXPLORE RATHMULLANToday take the time to explore Rathmullan in your own time. Perhaps take a walk along the two mile stretch of white sandy shore overlooking Lough Swilly. Admire the seven acres of carefully tended gardens, the rose garden, the sculptures, the wood lands and the soothing, sunken Tranquillity Garden where, to quote Yeats, 'peace comes dropping slow'. Or perhaps take a walk through the historical village of Rathmullan. This evening enjoy a pre dinner drink by the open fire before a gourmet meal in the house’s well renowned restaurant. (B)

Accommodation: 4-Star Georgian Country House Hotel, Rathmullan

Day 5 – MOUNT ERRIGAL & GLENVEAGH NATIONAL PARKOne of Ireland’s most iconic mountains, Mount Errigal, is the highest mountain in Donegal. Its glittering quartzite peak dominates the northwest corner of Ireland. At its summit expansive views stretch to the jagged coast and often rare Golden Eagles circle on the thermals above. In the afternoon we shall visit the mystical castle of Glenveagh set amidst the wilderness of Glenveagh National Park. Before continuing onto our castle retreat in the Bluestack mountains. (B,PL)

Accommodation: 5-Star Castle Hotel, Donegal

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Day 6 – GLENCOLMCILLEWonderfully remote, Glencolmcille began as a settlement in Neolithic times, and the area is littered with Megalithic tombs. This walk climbs around the eastern summit of Beefin and Gaveross Mountain passing old stone walls, the 5,000 year old Mannernamortee Megalithic Tomb and numerous cross-inscribed pillars. In the village of Ardara we shall pop into the infamous Nancy’s Bar for a well-earned pint. (B,PL)

Walk description: 13km | Ascent: 440m | Time: 3-4hrsAccommodation: 5-Star Castle Hotel, Donegal

Day 7 – SLIEVE LEAGUE CLIFFSToday we will visit some of the highest sea cliffs in Europe. The gigantic façade of Slieve League (or Mountain of the Flagstones) plunges some 600m into the sea below; its compacted mixture of rocks and ores form a fabulous kaleidoscope of multi-coloured hues. Our route follows an ancient pilgrim path to the venerated ruins of an old church. (B,PL)

Walk description: 12.5km | Ascent: 520m | Time: 5hrs 30mins. Accommodation options: Lough Eske Castle, Donegal

Day 8 – THE BLUE STACK MOUNTAINSFrom your accommodation we take a walk through an ancient woodland and along the spectacular Lough Eske amongst the Blue Stack Mountains. There will be time to peruse through some Donegal tweeds, for which the county is well known, before heading east towards Dublin and home. (B,L)

Walk description: 5km | Ascent: 100m | Time: 2hrs

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COST

The  trip  price  is  €***  per  person  based  upon  a  group  size  of  up  to  **  clients.  This  includes  the   following:  

• 7  night’s  accommodation  

• Your  own  private  guide  for  8  days  

• All  transport  throughout  the  trip  

• Breakfasts  and  packed  lunches  each  day  

• Access  to  the  Giants  Causeway  Visitor  Centre  

• Local  ferry  crossing  to  Rathlin  Island  

• A  walking  tour  with  a  local  resident  of  the  walls  of  Derry  

• A  tour  of  Glenveagh  Castle  in  Glenveagh  National  Park    

GETTING  THERE  AND  AWAY  

You  will  be  met  by  your  guide  at  10am  on  Day  1  of  the  trip  at  a  Dublin  City  Centre  location.  We  will  return  to  Dublin  City  around  4pm  on  Day  8.  Please  do  get  in  touch  for  advice  on  how  to  get  to  Dublin  from  your  location.  

YOUR  GUIDE  

Passionate  and  knowledgeable  about  Ireland  your  Wilderness  Ireland  guide  will  personally  introduce  you  to  his  homeland,  giving  you  a  unique  insight  into  this  land  of  saints  and  scholars.    As  highly  qualified  and  experienced  walking  guides  you  can  expect  to  be  in  the  safest  of  hands  while  exploring  these  spectacular  landscapes.    

ACCOMMODATION  

All  our  hotels  and  guest  houses  are  hand  selected  based  on  their  quality,  customer  care  and  local  character.  We  work  closely  with  all  our  hotel  partners  to  ensure  our  guests  experience  the  very  best  during  their    stay  with  us  in  Ireland.  

The  itinerary  above  is  available  all  year  round  however  accommodation  and  activities  are  however  subject  to  availability  at  the  time  of  booking.  

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