Hiking Ireland: Burren, Connemara, and the Aran Islands

Welcome to Éire, the emerald green land of Ireland! On this hiking tour of Ireland you’ll fly into the international airport in Dublin where you’ll make your way into the city. We’ll meet at our first accommodation of the trip in the vibrant, capital city of Dublin. Upon your arrival at the hotel in the city center, you will meet your guide and the rest of the group. We’ll gather for our orientation meeting at 6:00 PM before heading to a typical Irish pub. Slàinte! Or cheers as they say in Gaelic.

• Hiking Mileage: 4.5 mi (7.5 km)
• Elevation Gain: 314 ft (96 m)
• Elevation Loss: 37 ft (121 m)

This morning starts with a nearly four-hour transfer to Killary Fjord. We’ll be dropped off at our trailhead overlooking Inis Bearna where we’ll enjoy a lovely lunch before we start our first hike. We’ll begin towards the end of the fjord and walk inland towards Leenane, which translates to “the valley at the head of the sea,” in the heart of Connemara. The coastline views today include tiny inlets, coves, bays, farms, and fishing villages. This fjord is arguably the most beautiful and largest of fjords in Ireland, and we’ll hear about the deep history of this trail. At the end of our hike, we’ll take a short transfer to our wonderful accommodations in Leenane.

• Hiking Mileage: 8 mi (13 km)
• Elevation Gain: 1624 ft (495 m)
• Elevation Loss: 1624 ft (495 m)

This morning starts with a transfer to Kylemore Abbey, a famous castle with its rich history and picturesque setting situated on the Atlantic Way. We’ll have a roughly 1.5 hour tour of the grounds before transferring over to Letterfrack and our trailhead for today’s hike. Diamond Hill is one of the most famed hikes of the Connemara region with its spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding hills and coastline. We’ll enjoy some solitude along the Bog Bridge trail on our way to the summit. The view from the summit might be the most breathtaking in all of Galway!

• Hiking Mileage:  10 mi (16 km)
• Elevation Gain: 295 ft (90 m)
• Elevation Loss: 295 ft (90 m)
• Boat Time: 2 hours

This morning finds us with a road trip along the Sky Road of Clifton. This 10-mile road is rumored to be one of the most beautiful drives in Ireland. We’ll take our time and enjoy the views. In the late morning, we will reach the pier where we’ll board a boat for the island of Inishbofin. This small fisherman’s island is one of the last land masses west of the European continent before the expanse of the Atlantic Ocean. On this trek we might just luck out and see seals in the bay just north of the island as well as long-haired sheep. Residents of this small island depend on peat as a fuel source to heat their homes. You’ll have the option for a cold plunge on what is one of the most picturesque beaches in the region. We’ll take the last ferry out for the day back to our hotel and enjoy a wonderful Irish dinner.

• Hiking Mileage:  7-10 mi (11-16 km)
• Elevation Gain: 800 ft (60 m)
• Elevation Loss: 800 ft (40 m)
• Boat Time: 2h 45 min.

Today marks the transition into the land of the legendary Connemara with its beautiful coastline. This morning starts with a journey to Roundstone: a small fishing port known for its Bodhran factory, a drum used in traditional Celtic music. We stop for a short hike (about 1.5 hours) to the rocky summit of Errisbeg.  We will then ferry to the largest of the three Aran Islands: the island of Inishmore. Inishmore is known for its strong traditional Irish culture and language. Upon our arrival, we’ll cross the north coast to the prehistoric fort of Dún Aonghasa. We may have another opportunity to find seals today. We’ll stay on the island in our cozy lodge at the edge of the sea.

• Hiking Mileage: 11 mi (18 km)
• Elevation Gain: 640 ft (195 m)
• Elevation Loss: 640 ft (195 m)
• Boat Time: 45 min.

Today starts with a short transfer to Kilmurvey Beach, the start of our hike. We’ll be exploring historical archeological sites and churches along our hike. Today’s efforts culminate in the Eeragh Lighthouse viewpoint. We’ll head back to Kilmurvey Beach and the Inishmore harbor. From here we’ll catch a boat to Rossaveel then onward to Galway for dinner and merriment!

• Hiking Mileage: 9 mi (13 km)
• Elevation Gain: 2230 ft (680 m)
• Elevation Loss: 2083 ft (265 m)

This morning finds us exploring the vibrant city and historic trading port of Galway. With a population approaching 80,000, Galway has much to offer in the way of traditional jewelry, old pubs, knit sweaters, and bog-oak carvings. After our outing in town, we’ll transfer to the famed Cliffs of Moher, where we’ll catch a glimpse of the Aran Islands, the Maumturks and Twelve Pins Mountain ranges, and the vast expanse of ocean. The Cliffs of Moher are recognized as a UNESCO Global Geopark and are described as, “glacially-smoothed karst limestone hills with dramatic sea cliffs that tower over the majestic Atlantic coast.” After an incredible day, we’ll find our accommodations in Doolin, the capital of traditional Irish music, and dine in a cozy, quaint pub.

• Hiking Mileage: 9 mi (14 km)
• Elevation Gain: 1345 ft (410 m)
• Elevation Loss: 1772 ft (540 m)

Today holds a special hike: Burren land. Made up of towering limestone and dotted with wildflowers and spectacular Lapiazs. Lapiazs, or limestone pavement, is a phenomenon of exposed limestone resembling a paved surface and is a sight to behold! Our hike takes us along small country lanes and paths across vast plateaus. The Burren range is one of the less visited but no less spectacular ranges of Western Ireland. We then take our private transfer back to Dublin, about a 3 hours drive.

After a typical Irish breakfast and your last fried tomato, we’ll say our goodbyes. Thank you for choosing Wildland!