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      The Hidden West

      Region: North West – Donegal & Sligo
      Duration: 0 Days / 0 Nights
      Confirmed: When 2 Travellers Book

      Accommodation: Classic

      Grading:

      Carbon Footprint: 126kg ? What does this mean?
      Click here to find out about our carbon labelling project and what we're doing to be more sustainable.

      All you need to know about your trip, this essential document is a must for all adventures.

      icon-download Download Itinerary

        Trip Overview

        Created by: Louise Kavanagh

        Where cliffs plunge into the Atlantic Ocean, and seabirds swirl in the salty air, join us on a fully-guided hiking trip that explores Donegal and the North West Coast.

        Accompanied by a knowledgeable guide, immerse yourself in Ireland’s history, culture and hospitality as you traverse beautiful landscapes, visit ancient sites and stay in independent accommodation. A fantastic place to explore on foot, the coastline here encompasses towering cliffs, wailing sea caves and sandy beaches. Further inland, quiet trails wind through old woodland, and dramatic hills offer panoramic views.

        An important region for biodiversity, rare plants cling to rocky outcrops and the shores are busy with fulmars, kittiwakes and puffins. With every detail of your trip thoughtfully taken care of, enjoy discovering the elemental beauty of Ireland’s hidden west.

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        Day by Day
        Itinerary

        Day 1 – Fermanagh Lakelands Read Less

        Day 1

        Fermanagh Lakelands

        Meet your Wilderness guide at the fabulous art spot, the Hugh Lane Gallery in Dublin this morning before travelling northwest. Crisscross the border of Northern Ireland to arrive at Lough Erne – a jewel in the watery wonderland of Fermanagh Lakelands. Enjoy a boat trip to an ancient monastic island and visit the monastery, a captivating symbol of Ireland’s early Christian heritage and the legacy of the country’s position as ‘the land of saints and scholars’ throughout the Middle Ages. The lakes are also rich in mythology and folklore. The warrior queen Méabh (anglicised to Queen Maeve), various high kings, and even giants are said to have spent time here. After your boat trip, continue to your lovely hotel and settle in before dinner.

        Meals Included: Lunch and Dinner

        Day 2 – Exploring Slieve League Read Less

        Day 2

        Exploring Slieve League

        After breakfast, head west to explore the impressive Slieve League Cliffs. Rising dramatically above the crashing waves of the North Atlantic, these towering cliffs climb over 600 metres into the salt-flecked sky. Accompanied by your guide, follow the little-known Pilgrim’s Path, part of an ancient route which ribbons up the mountain to a monastic site, the remains of which can be seen near the top plateau. Enjoy the fantastic panoramic views of the cliffs, listening to the unrelenting power of the ocean’s constant, rhythmic roar. This afternoon, enjoy learning more about the tradition of tweed-making and watching artisans ply their craft on handlooms passed down through generations.

        Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
        Walk Details: 8 km / 5 miles

        Day 3 – Hiking Benbulben Read Less

        Day 3

        Hiking Benbulben

        Today, enjoy hiking up the dramatic, flat-topped mountain of Benbulben – a defining feature of the Sligo landscape. Inspiring the poetry of W.B. Yeats, this well-known peak is home to many myths and legends and is one of the rare places in Ireland where it is possible to see fairies. From the summit, enjoy stunning views of Donegal Bay, Slieve League and the Blue Stacks Mountains. Enjoy a cliff-top picnic before winding your way down into the patchwork valley and arriving rosy-cheeked and relaxed at your hotel.

        Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
        Walk Details: 10 km / 6 miles

        Day 4 – The Sligo Way Read Less

        Day 4

        The Sligo Way

        After breakfast, head out to walk a beautiful section of the Sligo Way. Traverse rolling, heather-cloaked hills and pause for a break at a secluded mountain lake – rumoured to be bottomless according to local legend. As you walk, enjoy the peace of this quiet trail, looking out for birds and soaking up the uninterrupted views across the glittering waters of Lough Gill. Weave your way into the tranquillity of Slish Wood, tucked on the southern shores of the lake and through the soft shadows thrown by the old trees. Head out to a cosy pub tonight to listen to traditional Irish music and enjoy a refreshing pint.

        Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
        Walk Details: 8 km / 5 miles

        Day 5 – Coolera Peninsula Read Less

        Day 5

        Coolera Peninsula

        Just a short drive from the bustling town of Sligo is Strandhill, a bohemian surf town with amazing ocean views and a lively, energetic atmosphere. Popular with surfers, stand-up paddle boarders and sea kayakers, watch the locals catching waves before heading off with your guide to follow a trail that winds through an extensive dune ecosystem to the tip of Coolera Peninsula. Pass the ruins of an early Christian Church (where St Patrick is said to have lost a tooth) and return to Strandhill through a tangy, pine woodland. This evening, settle into your welcoming hotel and enjoy an aperitif before dinner.

        Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
        Walk Details: 7 km / 4 miles

        Day 6 – Benwee Head & Carrowteige Read Less

        Day 6

        Benwee Head & Carrowteige

        This morning, set out to explore the spectacular An Bhinn Bhuí (Benwee Head) at Carrowteige – a wild, far-flung headland on the north coast of Co. Mayo. Looking out over the rolling Atlantic swell, the coast here is romantically rugged, full of secluded coves, lonely sea stacks and wind-swept clifftops. It is also a place of rich cultural heritage, where traditions are upheld, and the Irish language is still spoken as the vernacular. Chat with your guide about the mythical tale of the Children of Lir – siblings condemned to live as swans and wander the countryside for 900 years.

        Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
        Walk Details: 11 km / 7 miles

        Day 7 – Downpatrick Head & Departure Read Less

        Day 7

        Downpatrick Head & Departure

        After breakfast, enjoy a visit to the impressive Downpatrick Head. From the wildflower-flecked clifftop, soak up the spectacular views of the lonely sea stack Dún Bríste, the Staggs of Broadhaven islands, and a watch tower from the Napoleonic era. Those visiting during the early summer may be lucky enough to see the puffins that nest here, as well as many other coastal birds. Your guide will drop you at Sligo Train Station before lunch, where the trip will conclude.

        Meals Included: Breakfast

        Download Itinerary

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        The Hidden West

        To download a PDF copy of our Trip Itinerary, containing full details about this holiday, please complete the form below:

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        The phone number field is not required but if you would like us to give you a call to help find the trip for you, then enter your telephone number including the country code.

        Make This Trip Private

        Fancy this trip just for your group? Get together with family and friends spend quality time exploring wild places. A private trip allows you to benefit from all the features of the group departure, including hand-picked accommodation and expert local guides but with the advantage of the flexibility to tailor the days to your group. Make the trip more or less challenging depending on your experience or choose to add in some optional extras like castle or distillery visits depending on your interests. The price of a private trip will depend on the number of travellers in your group. Let us know your preferred departure date and we'll take care of the rest.

        Enquire Now Learn More
        X
        The Hidden West

        For private departure enquiries, please complete the form below:

        Trip Details

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        Accommodation Read More

        This trip features accommodations chosen for their excellent location, service and comfort. All accommodations provide breakfast.

        Meals Read More

        Breakfast is provided each morning, as well as lunch and snacks throughout the trip. Dinner is provided on the first, fifth, and final evening of the trip. The other nights of the trip are free for you to dine where you choose.

        Local pubs and restaurants offer a wide choice of local dishes. Your guide can provide you with a list of local recommendations and can help you make any necessary reservations.

        Inclusions Read More
        • 6 nights accommodation in cosy guest houses and hotels
        • Most meals as stated in the itinerary
        • The services of an experienced and knowledgeable hiking guide/driver throughout
        • Pickup and transport throughout the trip
        • 7 days exploring and hiking the wild landscapes of Ireland
        • Entrance and admission fees are as stated in the itinerary
        Grading Read More

        Green Graded 1-3

        Our green-graded trips include shorter hikes, with few ascents, and generally over smoother terrain (but usually not paved). We include more cultural stops along the way and walk at a leisurely pace.

        Often, our green-graded trips include hikes in flatter coastal areas or in valleys and will last around 2-4 hours each day. To help you decide if you are fit enough for this trip, ask yourself:

        Can you comfortably hike for 6 miles (10km), including some ascents, over generally good terrain?

        Travel - Arrival and Departure Read More

        Meet your guide at Dublin’s Hugh Lane Gallery at 11:00 on Day 1 of your trip. At the end of your trip, your guide will drop you off at Sligo Train Station at 12:00, where you can continue your onward journey.

        If you’d like to arrange an extension before or after your trip, don’t hesitate to get in touch.

        ETAs, or Electronic Travel Authorisation, are currently required for all visits to the UK, including Northern Ireland, except in the case where you are an Irish or British citizen or resident. On this trip, you will be visiting Northern Ireland so you may need to apply for an ETA before travelling.

        To ensure a smooth and hassle-free journey, we recommend visiting the official UK Government website for the most up-to-date information and to apply for an ETA. Application and approval times are generally swift, but it’s best to apply early to ensure a stress-free trip. Any questions? Feel free to get in touch.

        Speak to an Expert

        Cathriona O’Donnell

        From Sligo to Galway and beyond, Cathriona lives and breathes the west coast. When not at work, you’ll likely find Cathriona wandering along a quiet beach or through a leafy green forest, or perhaps cooking or reading. As one of our trip experts, when it comes to a vacation in Ireland, there’s no one better to design the holidays of your dreams than Cathriona.

        Ask Cathriona a Question

        Difficulty Grades Explained

        Green Graded 1-3

        Our green-graded trips include shorter hikes, with few ascents, and generally over smoother terrain (but usually not paved). We include more cultural stops along the way and walk at a leisurely pace.

        Often, our green-graded trips include hikes in flatter coastal areas or in valleys and will last around 2-4 hours each day. To help you decide if you are fit enough for this trip, ask yourself:

        Can you comfortably hike for 6 miles (10km), including some ascents, over generally good terrain?

        Find Out More

        Our holidays reviewed
        in your own words

        My previous two trips with Wilderness were in Scotland. They were fantastic trips but this one was better. There is something very special about the Irish and their country. There was a gentleman named John on one of our ferry boats that came up to us as a group and became an instant friend and source of information. This happens a lot in Ireland. We were able to milk goats and enjoy ice cream from the goats and the family farmer gave us the run of his house to store our backpacks and use his facilities. So many special moments on this trip that you can’t put a price tag on! This was my 14 th trip to Europe in my 68 years for various vacations and this trip stands high and above all of the others!

        Gary Fruland
        Hiking & Island Hopping - Cork & Kerry
        Reviewed on 25/07/2022

        Rated 4.93 out of 5 based on 2,446 reviews

        Read More Reviews
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