Hiking and Cultural Adventure from Donegal to Belfast
A Northern Arc Across Ireland
Overview
The mystical landscapes that inspired W. B. Yeats, the pilgrim paths of Gleann Cholm Cille, and the wild beaches of Donegal grace this adventure in Ireland’s stunning north. Our Trip Leaders have conjured up a journey for both body and soul in this delightfully less-traveled northern realm, with great hikes (two options offered on many days), historic hotels, music, poetry, and a fascinating look into prehistoric and pagan Ireland. We’ll hear the best local musicians, hike clifftop trails, and meet a host of locals, including a Yeats scholar and an expert on Celtic myths. Along the way, each day is tailored for serendipity—that’s what makes a journey with our delightful Trip Leaders so unforgettable.
Arrive: Dublin
Depart: Dublin
Highlights
- Choose between moderate or strenuous hikes most days
- Enjoy an insider’s look at the complex political, cultural, and religious history of Northern Ireland
- Explore the trails of legendary County Sligo (Yeats Country) and the sea cliffs of Slieve League
- Hike the gorgeous beaches of Donegal, walk pilgrim trails in the remote glen of Gleann Cholm Cille
- Visit lively Belfast, with its great pubs and famed Titanic museum
Itinerary
Meeting in Dublin, we head to County Sligo, renowned for its traditional music and dramatic coastal scenery. We hike the spectacular limestone plateau of Knocknarea, which holds the huge rocky cairn of Queen Maeve’s grave, and have a “Yeats evening” with our Trip Leaders’ local literary friends. We’ll take a gentle ramble through the incredible archaeological landscape of Carrowmore, which holds the largest complex of Neolithic and Bronze Age stone circles in all of Ireland, and hike the dramatic table-top mountain of Benbulben, home to many Irish legends (we’ll hear a few!).
A stunning hike brings us to a sweep of wild beaches in Donegal Bay and along the soaring sea cliffs of Slieve League. Another hike takes us across wild heathlands and over the great cliffs of Glen Head down to the secluded glen of Gleann Cholm Cille, a powerful place of pilgrimage. We’ll pass through the rural settlements of the Irish-speaking community of Gaoth Dobhair (Gweedore), a region with strong music, song, and dance traditions.
Leaving the Republic of Ireland, we enter Northern Ireland where a day trip to Rathlin Island brings views of seabirds including puffins and guillemots along with vistas of Scotland’s coast. Our hike on the North Antrim Coastal Path traces the cliff-lined “Causeway Coast,” with its breathtaking seascapes, and our walk ends at the famed Giant’s Causeway, so named for its columnar geology. We explore Belfast, capital of Northern Ireland, before departing on Day 9 via Dublin.
Accommodations
Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
What the Trip is Like
This trip is rated a Level 3 or 4, Moderate to Strenuous, depending on the hiking options you choose. You will need to be comfortable hiking 8 miles a day and being on your feet for up to 5 hours a day. You will need to be able to keep up with the moderate but steady pace of the group; however, there are alternative hiking options available most days. Trail conditions, weather, and the group's level of fitness can affect hiking times and pacing—your Trip Leader may also need to change the hikes we do if weather conditions require it.
Average Hiking Day
- 5-6 miles
- 3-4 hours
- 1,000-1,200' ascent/descent
Challenge Day
- Day 5: 6-8 miles, 5-6 hours, 2,500-3,500' ascent/descent; alternative option of 5-6 miles, 3-4 hours, 500' ascent/descent
Some paths and trails are well-groomed, but many can be rough with rocky and uneven terrain. With the frequent rain, trails can be muddy or even wet underfoot. As is common in Ireland, we may sometimes hike off-trail where the terrain allows, gaining lofty summits via switchbacks across wide, grassy hillsides. Hiking boots with ankle support are always best and hiking poles are recommended.
We strongly urge you to train for your trip, as your enjoyment will be highly dependent on your level of fitness. The best training for a hike is to hike, especially over hills or rough terrain. Next best are running, swimming, bicycling, or other cardiovascular exercises. Stair-climbing machines are excellent preparation for hiking uphill. Your feet should also be well prepared—make sure your hiking boots are sturdy, comfortable, and thoroughly broken-in.
This trip takes place when Ireland has some of its best weather. Being the Emerald Isle, however, you must be prepared for rain showers at any time. Ireland’s weather is dictated by the pressure systems coming in from the Atlantic and is notoriously variable. Gore-Tex outerwear, warm layers, and proper boots are necessary. Overall, Ireland’s climate is milder than Britain’s, thanks to the Gulf Stream, and a morning of rain can easily be followed by a brilliant blue sky and abundant sunshine.
Our accommodations range from historic “big houses” (family-owned and run guesthouses), to lodges and hotels. They are charming and comfortable, but since they are often in historic buildings, the rooms are not always of uniform or international size. Our leaders do their best to assign rooms in a fair way so that all participants experience an equal advantage throughout the trip as a whole. Single rooms can be requested but are not always available, due to the limited space in the hotels. If you prefer a single room, please make your request as early as possible.
Most lunches are picnic-style during our hikes, but we occasionally stop at a local cafe or pub. Dinners will be at restaurants in town or at the hotels, and plenty of fresh seafood is available. Please note that in Europe, the dinner hour is considerably later than what it is in the US. We do our best to secure early reservations for our groups, but most often the evening meal will be at 7:30 pm.
We will use a mini-coach/van throughout the trip, which will transport the group's luggage, so you only need to carry a daypack for items you need for the day (rain gear, sweater, camera, water bottle, etc.). Trip members are always free to skip a day's hike and travel to the next destination in the support vehicle (or remain at the hotel if we are not transferring that day).
Client Testimonials
"Absolutely loved it—the guides and itinerary were fantastic. And the personal connections that Con has with fascinating people along the way really enriched the experience. "
Diane S.
Greenville, SC
"I loved the blend of walks, scenery, and cultural experiences on this trip. The itinerary took us through the eons, from 10,000-year-old middens on the beach, to 6,000-year-old tombs, to centuries-old castles and the invasion by the Scotch-Irish, to The Troubles in the 1970s and modern Ireland. All while enjoying incredibly beautiful scenery and meeting lovely local people."
Inge K.
Concord, MA
"A fantastic trip—excellent guides, incredible views, hikes, history, folklore, food, and accommodations."
Michael M.
Dillon, CA
"We were impressed by the beauty of the countryside, mountains, and coasts, and the friendliness of the people we encountered. We also learned an enormous amount about Irish history and culture, greatly exceeding my expectations in that area."
Rob C.
Concord, MA
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Our Area Specialists know every detail about our tours. They will be happy to answer any questions and help you choose the journey that’s right for you. Contact us to learn more or book your trip today!
Itinerary
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Trip Levels
With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult.