Donegal Delights
Guided walking tour
Join us in Ireland's most northerly county, Donegal, one of the most unspoilt landscapes in Europe. It is famous for its beautiful scenery, coastline, impressive mountain ranges, glens and lakes and rich reminders of a historic past.
The base for this week-long tour is Donegal town, centrally located, and famous for its 15th century castle, tweeds and traditional music. The daily routes are from 6 to 10 miles (9.5 to 16 km) and take you to Slieve League, among Europe's highest sea-cliffs and into the glorious Glenveagh National Park.
Tour Highlights:
Slieve League
Glenveagh National Park - gardens, castle & Irish red deer
Donegal town - overlooking Donegal Bay, 15th century castle, pubs and home of Irish tweed
Donegal's history of traditional Irish music
Optional boat trip
ITINERARY:
(subject to change without prior notice)
Day 1: Arrival
Be welcomed with a nice dinner, followed by a short briefing with your guide at your place of accommodation.
Day 2: Blue Stack Mountains
Today's programme includes a gentle walk around Banagher Hill. Enjoy Donegal - glens offering peace and greenness, deserted hills, lakes and rivers.
Distance: 9.5 km / 6 miles*; Ascent: 220 m / 700 ft
*can be extended
Day 3: Barnesmore
Continue your exploration to the east side of the Blue Stack Mountains. Pass along streams and lakes, mainly on forest roads. Descend through Barnesmore Gap, along the former railway line. Your final destination is the famed "Biddy o'Barnes" pub.
Distance: 13.5 km / 8.5 miles; Ascent: 125 m / 415 ft
Day 4: Glenveagh National Park
Walk through this narrow glen mainly on green, unsurfaced roads. On your way, you will see waterfalls, old woods, the castle, formal gardens, the island-dotted lake and a visitor centre.
Distance: 12 km / 7.5 miles*; Ascent: none (all downhill)
*add if taking in gardens and nature walk
Day 5: Leisure Day
Discover more of Donegal town, take a nice walk through the vicinity or cycle. Or make an optional boat trip to Aranmore Island or visit the Ulster American Folk Park in Omagh.
Day 6: Slieve League
A spectacular walk over some of Ireland's finest sea-cliffs. The Atlantic Ocean
has carved a variety of shapes and the rocks and vegetation produce a kaleidoscope of colour. The cliffs are nesting-places for choughs, guillemots, puffins, etc.
Distance: 10.5 km / 6.5 miles*; Ascent: 535 m / 1,750 ft
* The climb to the summits is undertaken only in favourable weather conditions.
Day 7: Donegal Bay
Walk leisurely along the coast from Ballyshannon to Rossnowlagh. Discover two beaches (Wardtown and Belall Strands), sea cliffs and wildlife. A visit to beautiful Kilbarron Castle will leave you with memories to take home.
Distance: 12.5 km / 8 miles; Ascent: 75 m / 250 ft
Day 8: Departure
Services included
- 7 Nights accommodation in Irish Tourist Board approved luxurious guesthouse
- 7 Full Irish breakfasts
- 5 Packed lunches
- 6 Dinners
- Experienced guide
- Transfers to and from walks
Optional Services
- Single room supplement per person: 210.00 EUR
Hints
- Getting there: We recommend that clients fly into Dublin airport or Derry airport before 12.00 so they can connect with public transport. Thare are frequent buses from Dublin airport into the city centre bus station (Busaras). There is a direct bus from Dublin Central Bus Station (Busaras) to Donegal town (4 hour journey).
- Alternatively you can fly into Derry airport and get a taxi into Derry city (a 12 minute journey which costs approximately 10.00 Pounds Sterling approximately) and then a direct bus from Derry to Donegal town (1.5 hour journey).
- Please note that, for weather or other reasons, on occasion the guide may have to change the sequence of walks or the walks themselves.
- A prepayment of 25% has to be paid directly after reconfirmation. Final payment becomes due three weeks before starting date of the tour.
Demands
- Moderate walks of 6-12 miles (9.5–16 km) per day with gradual ascents of up to approximately 1,750 ft (535 m).
RATING
minimum: 8
maximum:
DATES
Duration: 8 Days
19.07.08-26.07.08
980 EUR 
09.08.08-16.08.08
980 EUR
ROUTEMAP
