Hiking Ireland’s Coastal Northwest
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At a Glance
What You'll Learn
- Discover the gentle beauty of Glenveagh National Park, with its meandering paths and flowers such as the beautiful fuchsias and rhododendrons.
- Experience Galway, an iconic city of Ireland’s northwest, a bustling metropolitan city center with a flourishing culture.
- Take a ferry to the Aran Islands to explore the unique landscapes and prehistoric stone forts of a place where you can still hear Gaelic being spoken.
Activity note: Getting on/off motorcoach. Approximate transfer time is 3 hours. Hotel check-in at 2:00 p.m.
Afternoon: Hotel check-in is available at 2:00 p.m. We may store our luggage with the front desk while we explore the area on our own while we wait for our rooms to be available. 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: We will enjoy a welcome dinner at the hotel.
Evening: At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night's rest for the day ahead.
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: At a local restaurant.
Evening: At leisure.
Activity note: Getting on/off motorcoach; driving up to 3.5 hours throughout the day with multiple stops; approx. 110 miles. Up to 3 miles of walking up to 3 hours on mixed terrain and natural trails, including bogland, high heather, and cliff trails that can be slippery when wet, elevation gain of 482 feet, and loss of 450 feet.
Breakfast: At the hotel.
Morning: We will check out of the hotel. Leaving Letterkenny by motorcoach, we will have a beautiful drive northwest to reach the small town of Dunfanaghy. From there, we will continue to the northwest tip of this region to reach Horn Head. With glorious views across Sheephaven Bay and Tory Island, we will enjoy a lovely coastal walk around Horn Head.
Lunch: On your own. Purchased en route to start of hike.
Afternoon: We will return to our coach and drive to Donegal town, stopping on the way to discover an ancient graveyard currently under excavation. Archaeologists are currently looking for evidence of earlier remains in this graveyard that dates back to the 1400's. While we walk around exploring this site, we will take in a field lecture by our local guide about the relevant history and archeology of this area. We will then continue our transfer to the hotel.
Dinner: At the hotel.
Evening: At leisure.
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.
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: On your own. Purchased en route to start of hike.
Afternoon: At the conclusion of our hike, we’ll travel back to the hotel in Donegal.
Dinner: Explore local fare on your own in Donegal.
Evening: At leisure.
Activity note: Getting on/off motorcoach; driving about 4.5 hours with multiple stops, around 147 miles. Up to 3 miles of walking for 1.5 hours on mixed terrain including uneven rocky paths, sections of loose gravel, and limestone that can be slippery if wet. Elevation gain and loss of 805 feet.
Breakfast: At the hotel.
Morning: We will check out of the hotel and begin our transfer to Galway. Along the way, we will learn about the majestic table mountain Benbulben. Southwest of Sligo, the largest city in the northwest of the island, we will begin our hike climbing Knocknarea. We enjoy a magnificent view over the Bay of Donegal as we hike. Along the way we will learn about geology. At the summit, we will visit the unexcavated Neolithic passage tomb said to be the final resting place of Queen Maeve, the warrior queen of Connacht.
Lunch: Explore local fare on your own.
Afternoon: We will continue our transfer to Galway. Upon arrival, we will check in to the hotel.
Dinner: At a local restaurant.
Evening: At leisure.
Activity note: Getting on/off motorcoach; driving about 2 hours, 50 miles. Getting on/off boat, sailing about 1 hour, one way. Up to 4 miles of walking for 3.5 hours on stony paths and mixed terrain. Elevation gain and loss of 195 feet.
Breakfast: At the hotel.
Morning: We will transfer by motorcoach to the port of Rossaveal. There we will embark a boat to Inisheer, one of the Aran Islands towns. On these stony islands, where Gaelic is still spoken, we will explore the prehistoric forts and 3000 foot-long ornate walls. We’ll enjoy a walk through the primitive and magical landscape while taking in a field lecture about history and nature.
Lunch: Explore local fare on your own.
Afternoon: At the conclusion of our island exploration, we will return by boat to Rossaveal where we will board our motorcoach and transfer back to Galway.
Dinner: Explore local fare on your own in Galway.
Evening: At leisure.
Activity note: Getting on/off motorcoach; driving about 1 hour, 50 miles. Up to 2 miles of walking on pavement, cobblestones, and uneven pavement.
Breakfast: At the hotel.
Morning: Galway City is a joy to explore with its labyrinthine cobbled streets, colorful shop facades, and busy café and bar culture. We will set out to explore the old city during an expert-led walk.
Lunch: Explore local fare on your own in Galway City.
Afternoon: After lunch, take some time for independent exploration in Galway. We will meet at a predetermined time to board our motorcoach and start our transfer to Shannon. On the way, we will make a short stop at Coole Park. This former estate of Lady Gregory, used to be a meeting place for the literary minds of the time including W.B. Yeats and Bernard Shaw. Upon arrival in Shannon, we will check-in to the hotel and get our rooms. Take some time to freshen up before we meet for dinner.
Dinner: We will enjoy a farewell dinner at the hotel.
Evening: At leisure.
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!
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