Connemara, Burren and Aran Islands
8 days/7 nights or 6 days/5 nights
Day 1: Arrival
Arrival at accommodation in Lisdoonvarna, renowned for traditional Irish music. Dinner and briefing. Overnight in Lisdoonvarna (3 nights).
Day 2: The Cliffs of Moher & Atlantic Coast
Distance: 4 miles/6.5 km
A gentle walk by the Atlantic Coast will be offered, to allow you to explore the countryside while introducing yourself to Irish walking.
Day 3: The Burren
Distance: 13km/8miles, Ascent: 275m/900ft
The Burren is a unique internationally important habitat. You can explore it through a combination of walking on green roads and traversing of the karst limestone pavements, interspersed with rare arctic and alpine flowers.
Day 4: Maumeen
Distance: 13km/8 miles
Enjoy a walk through the beautiful Maumeen Mountains on the pilgrimage route up to St. Patrick’s Well & bed before continuing along the Western Way to Keanes Pub. Overnight in Connemara (2 nights).
Day 5: The Connemara Coast
Distance: 16km/10miles, Ascent: little or none
Walk along the shore of Killary Harbour – Ireland’s only fjord. A ten-mile walk on the ‘Famine Trail’ through Connemara mountain scenery – lake dotted bog land rich in flora.
Day 6: Free Day
Transfer to the vibrant city of Galway – the capital city of the west of Ireland.
Day 7: The Aran Islands – Dún Aonghusa
Distance: up to 21km/13 miles Ascent: little or none
Short flight over the dramatic west coast of Ireland to the Gaelic (Irish) speaking Aran Islands. Visit archaeological sites including the pre-historic fort, Dún Aonghasa and Poll na bPéist (worm hole), all set in a stony landscape from which a living was laboriously wrenched.
Day 8: Departure.
Departure after your last hot cooked Irish breakfast.
Transfer to Shannon or Dublin airport on City Link buses - see City Link for information.
Note that, for weather or other reasons, on occasion the guide may have to change the sequence of walks or the walks themselves.