Hiking Ireland’s Coastal Northwest

Day

1

In Transit to Program

Location: In Flight

Day

2

Arrive Belfast, Check-in, Orientation, Welcome Dinner

Location: Donegal

Meals: D

Stay: Central Hotel

Activity Note

Hotel check-in from 4:00 p.m. Luggage may be stored at the front desk until rooms are available. Getting on/off motorcoach; riding approximately 3 hours. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously).

Afternoon:

After checking into the hotel and getting your rooms, take some time to freshen up and relax before we meet for Orientation. Orientation: 6:00 p.m. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Our knowledgeable Group Leader and local experts will conduct the educational program including hikes and walking field trips. Transfers will be by private motorcoach. Program related travel and transfers will be by private motorcoach unless otherwise specified. Each morning, or en route to our hike, we will purchase lunch at our own cost and carry it in our individual daypacks. All other meals will be provided at the hotel and local restaurants unless otherwise noted. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

Dinner:

At a local restaurant.

Evening:

At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night's rest for the day ahead.

Day

3

Disert Loop Trail

Location: Donegal

Meals: B,L,D

Stay: Central Hotel

Activity Note

Getting on/off motorcoach; driving up to 1 hour, approx. 34 miles. Hiking up to 2 miles, approx. 2.5 hours on mixed terrain and natural trails, including trails that can be slippery when wet.

Breakfast:

At the hotel.

Morning:

We will set out by motorcoach to the tranquil Disert Loop, nestled in the heart of the Bluestack Mountains. This circular trail unfolds like a living tapestry of local heritage and natural wonder. Along the route, we will wander past: an ancient graveyard, home to a Mass Rock, a holy well, and standing stones rich in folklore and spiritual resonance; a hidden waterfall and gorge carved by the quietly flowing Eany Beg, offering a magical moment of serenity within the rugged mountain terrace; scenic lookout points showcasing panoramic views of the sweeping Bluestack Mountains and the distant sparkle of Donegal Bay. Your Group Leader will breathe life into each step with stories of folklore, local traditions, and the sacred echoes that echo through this unspoiled landscape.

Lunch:

Picnic on the trail.

Afternoon:

After lunch, we will continue on the circular trail. At the conclusion of our hike, we will board our motorcoach and return to Donegal town.

Dinner:

At a local restaurant.

Evening:

At leisure.

Day

4

Slieve League Cliffs

Location: Donegal

Meals: B,L

Stay: Central Hotel

Activity Note

Getting on/off motorcoach; driving about 2 hours, 100 miles. Up to 4.5 miles of walking for 4.5 hours on mixed terrain including uneven steps leading to boggy cliff top trails that will be slippery when wet. Elevation gain and loss of 695 feet with areas of steep ascent and descent. There is one section of this trail that may be unsettling for those with a fear of heights.

Breakfast:

At the hotel.

Morning:

We will transfer from Donegal to Slieve League to visit some of the highest sea cliffs in Europe, Slieve League. The roaring Atlantic waves, up to 2000-foot high cliffs, and the ever-changing cloud formations are a dramatic spectacle. One could gaze out over the rugged coastline for hours, watching the flight of birds.

Lunch:

Picnic on the trail.

Afternoon:

At the conclusion of our hike, we’ll travel back to the hotel in Donegal.

Dinner:

On your own.

Evening:

At leisure. Prepare for check out and transfer in the morning.

Day

5

Tory Island

Location: Letterkenny

Meals: B,L,D

Stay: Station House Hotel

Activity Note

Getting on/off motorcoach, riding up to 3 hours, approx. 90 miles. Hiking up to 5.5miles, approx. 3.5 hours, over natural trails with uneven terrain including tree roots and rocks, gravel paths, and asphalt roads.

Breakfast:

At the hotel.

Morning:

We will check out of the hotel and our motorcoach and ride to the ferry terminal where we will ride the ferry to Tory Island. This remote jewel off the Donegal coast is where rugged beauty, rich history, and warm island culture await. We will begin our hike on a loop trail that will take us westward towards the dramatic lighthouse at Teach an tSolais, where sweeping Atlantic views and soaring seabirds frame an unforgettable horizon.

Lunch:

Picnic En Route

Afternoon:

Our hike will continue after lunch when we start heading east. The path leads across rolling green fields, past dramatic cliffs, and into landscapes that feel both timeless and untamed. Along the way, we will encounter traces of the island’s deep past through archaeological sites and stories told by the locals, whose Irish language and traditions remain proudly alive today. After our walk, we will linger in a cozy café to soak up the unique charm of this extraordinary island community before the boat returns us to the mainland. We will board our motorcoach and continue our journey to Letterkenny. Upon check-in, take some time to freshen up before we meet for dinner.

Dinner:

At a local restaurant.

Evening:

At leisure.

Day

6

National Parks of Glenveagh

Location: Letterkenny

Meals: B

Stay: Station House Hotel

Activity Note

Getting on/off motorcoach; driving 1 hour, 32 miles. Up to 9 miles of walking split between the morning and afternoon for about 3.5 hours on mixed terrain and natural trails. The morning hike will be 6.5 miles with an elevation gain of 430 feet, and loss of 500 feet over gravel track with grass trail and muddy sections if wet. There will be time for an extra castle loop (1 mile) on your own at the conclusion of the morning walk. The afternoon will be a leisurely stroll through the garden.

Breakfast:

At the hotel.

Morning:

We will set out by motorcoach to explore the National Parks of Glenveagh. Between fuchsias and rhododendrons, our way leads over a small hill down to Lough Beagh. Our morning hike will lead towards Glenveagh Castle.

Lunch:

This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own. There will be an opportunity to purchase lunch en route to the morning hike. There is also a cafe on the grounds of Glenveagh Castle.

Afternoon:

Surrounded by forest, Glenveagh Castle also features interesting botanical gardens. We will explore the castle and botanical garden on a self-guided visit before we continue our hike along Lough Beagh. At the conclusion of our hike, we will board our motorcoach and return to the hotel. On the way, we will learn about the local bog land and its connection to the locals from our Group Leader.

Dinner:

On your own.

Evening:

At leisure. Prepare for check out and transfer in the morning.

Day

7

The Giant’s Causeway, Ballintoy & Carrick-a-Rede

Location: Ballycastle

Meals: B,D

Stay: Marine Hotel Ballycastle

Activity Note

Getting on/off motorcoach, riding up to 2.5 hours with multiple stops, approx. 75 miles; Hiking up to 3 miles, approx. 3 hours on mixed terrain including uneven rocky paths, sections of loose gravel, and limestone that can be slippery if wet.

Breakfast:

At the hotel.

Morning:

We will check out of the hotel and board our motorcoach to begin our transfer to Ballycastle. On the way, we will stop at the world-famous Giant’s Causeway for a short but memorable walk. Here, your Group Leader will share both the mythical legends and the scientific story behind this UNESCO World Heritage Site where 40,000 interlocking basalt columns form one the most unique geological landscapes on Earth. We will then board our motorcoach and ride to Ballintoy Harbour, a place of cinematic beauty and rich maritime charm.

Lunch:

Explore local fare on your own.

Afternoon:

In the afternoon, we will visit the iconic Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, whereyou can cross the swaying bridge suspended high above the Atlantic and take in the dramatic scenery of the rugged coastline. From here, we will continue by private coach along the breathtaking Causeway Coastal Path, following clifftops and winding trails to Ballycastle. Upon check-in, take some time to freshen up and relax before we meet for dinner.

Dinner:

At the hotel.

Evening:

At leisure.

Day

8

Rathlin Island

Location: Ballycastle

Meals: B,L

Stay: Marine Hotel Ballycastle

Activity Note

Getting on/off boat, sailing about 1.5 hours; Hiking up to 3.5 miles, approx. 2.5 hours on stony paths and mixed terrain including uneven, rocky paths, sections of loose gravel and parts that can be slippery if wet. Elevation gain and loss of 500 feet.

Breakfast:

At the hotel.

Morning:

After breakfast, we will set out on foot and walk to the pier where we will transfer by ferry to Rathlin Island. Step onto the enchanting Rathlin Island, a hidden gem off of Northern Ireland’s north coast, and enjoy a leisurely looped hike that reveals its wild beauty from every angle. We will begin walking along the rugged west-facing shoreline as the trail follows the gentle coastal paths before curving inland across the rolling countryside and leading northeast towards the striking East Lighthouse. From here, we will take in the sweeping views across the sea towards Scotland and the Causeway Coast that make this tranquil walk unforgettable.

Lunch:

Picnic on the trail.

Afternoon:

At the conclusion of our island exploration, we will return by boat to Ballycastle. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure.

Dinner:

Explore local fare on your own in Ballycastle.

Evening:

At leisure. Prepare for check out and transfer in the morning.

Day

9

Fair Head

Location: Belfast

Meals: B,D

Stay: ibis Belfast City Centre

Activity Note

Getting on/off motorcoach, riding up to 2 hours, approx. 70 miles. Hiking up to 5 miles, approx. 3.5 hours, over pavement, cobblestones, and uneven pavement.

Breakfast:

At the hotel.

Morning:

We will check out and board our private coach to make our way to Fair Head. Also known as Benmore (from the Irish An Bhinn Mhór, meaning “The Great Cliff”), it is one of the most dramatic coastal landscapes in Northern Ireland and a highlight of the Antrim Coast and Glens Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). Our loop hike will begin at the Climber’s Car Park and lead us past Lough na Cranagh, a lake dotted with small islands including Cranagh Island, an Iron Age manmade crannoóg that hints at the area’s ancient history. From here, the trail draws us toward the towering dolerite cliffs of Fair Head, sheer walls that rise over 100 meters above the Atlantic.

Lunch:

On your own en route.

Afternoon:

We continue walking along the clifftops enjoying magnificent views across to Scotland. As we walk, we will encounter remarkable features such as Grey Man’s Path Gully, where a collapsed column bridges two rock faces, and the dramatic Ballycastle Descent Gully. The route also passes the peaceful waters of Lough Doo before descending to the secluded beauty of Murlough Bay, a spot rich with atmosphere and sweeping coastal vistas. At the conclusion of our hike, we will board our motorcoach and continue our transfer to Belfast. After checking in, take some time to relax and freshen up before we meet for dinner.

Dinner:

At a local restaurant. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.

Evening:

At leisure. Prepare for check out and departures in the morning.

Day

10

Program Concludes

Location: In Flight

Meals: B

Activity Note

Hotel check-out by 11:00 a.m. See your program’s “Transportation Information” regarding transfers.

Breakfast:

At the hotel. This concludes our program.

Morning:

If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on another rewarding program in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!