Cost : €549 per person sharing

8 Day Tour Tour Dates MARCH to OCTOBER

Tour Grade 2 Easy to Moderate Accommodation Guesthouse & B&B

Tour Highlights The town of Oughterard. Lough Corrib. Kylemore Abbey & Gardens. Killary Fjord. Croagh Patrick and the town of Westport. What's included in your tour 7 nights B&B All accommodation is pre-booked in approved family-run guesthouses with all rooms en-suite Maps and all route notes Details on restaurants and places of interest to visit along the way Luggage transfers daily while you walk All information on trains or buses needed to get to your first accommodation, during the tour and back at the end of the tour Full back up service should you require it while on our tour

Aran Islands and the Western Way

From a walker's point of view, one can only attempt to describe the magnificent scenery that occupies one of the most beautiful areas in Southwest Ireland. We offer you an 8-day tour presenting a glimpse into a way of life that has long since disappeared from most of the country by combining parts of Connemara, Mayo and Inishmore, one of the famous Aran Islands. You will also have a chance to climb Croagh Patrick, the holy mountain. This natural terrain and unspoilt environment offers you a wonderland of sights, experiences and adventure. The people are warm, friendly and extend a hospitality, which is the spirit of Ireland.

Day 1 Travel to Galway City
Arrive at Shannon, Dublin or Galway Airport and take a bus or train to your first accommodation in Galway City. Please note: it is not always possible to get accommodation directly in the city especially for late bookings, so you may have to stay on the outskirts of the city.
Galway City is unique among Irish cities because of the strength of the Irish language, music, song and dancing traditions - it is often referred to as the 'Bilingual Capital of Ireland'. The city is well known for its 'Irish ness' and mainly due to the fact that it has on its doorstep the Galway Gaeltacht (Irish speaking area).
After settling in you could spend the afternoon/evening exploring this wonderful and lively place.

Day 2 Galway City to Inishmore
Take public transport from Galway City to Rossaveal to catch a ferry for the short journey (50 minutes) across the sea to the largest of the three Aran Islands, Inishmore. The island is approximately twenty-six square kilometres.
Inishmore or Inishmór (the big island), with its rich archaeological sites, thousands of kilometres of stone walls built in order to define one's property as well as to protect the small fields from erosion brought on from the strong winds. A combination of cliff and coastal walks along stretches of limestone pavement and a community still living the Celtic traditions of generations gone, makes this a very special place.
The thatched roofs of the traditional Irish stone cottages that dot the countryside enhance the rugged natural beauty.

Your guesthouse on the island will be in the small fishing village of Kilronan.
Among its many attractions is the outlet for the famous Aran Sweater.
The hand knitted Aran Sweater originated from this part of Ireland; a tradition passed down from generation to generation, which has now become the ultimate symbol of Irish Clan heritage.
Kilronan was also the church of St. Enda, the saint most closely identified with the spread of Christianity on Aran.
After settling in to your accommodation, you will have the opportunity to explore the eastern part of the island. Taking in places like: Dun Duchathair (the Black Fort), the Puffing Holes, View of Synge's Chair, remote beaches and the sounds of waves crashing in against the rocks. The perfect start to your walking week.

Day 3 Inishmore & Dun Aengus "Walk On The Rim of Europe"
Your second walk takes you to the northern side of the island along small country laneways and green roads to reach the hamlet of Kilmurvey. Here you will visit Dun Aonghasa; one of the most important and unique prehistoric stone forts to be found in Ireland, dating back approximately 2.500 years. The fort is built on the edge of some high sheer cliff and consists of horse shoe shaped dry stone walls, the inner one 13 feet thick and up to 18 feet high in places. The views from here are simply magnificent
The trail continues through a desert of limestone rocks that is rich in rare flora during spring and summer, through the town land of Gort na gCapall (The Field of the Horses) and back to Kilronan, where you will have time to do some shopping and sample some of the local spirit in one of the village pub’s.
 Distance: 18 km/11 miles, Ascent 220 m/660 ft
Approximate walking time 5 hrs

Day 5 Lough Inagh to Leenaun
You depart Lough Inagh by walking directly from your accommodation via an old road that dates back hundreds or possibly thousands of years. The trail flanks the base of the Mamturk Mountains passing some old ruins settlements as you travel. This area is now completely uninhabited and probably has been since the great famine of 1845. This is one of the most remote parts of the trail that offers you great sense of peace and harmony.
As you start to descend into the village of Leenaun you will have some great views down over Ireland's only fjord "Killary Fjord", glaciers moving off the high mountain over ten thousand years ago moulded this fjord. The glacier cut a trench in the underlying rocks that was subsequently filled by the Atlantic Ocean.
Your day finishes in Leenaun, a village nestling on the shore of Killary Harbour and flanked by the mountains. Leenaun was brought to fame because of the famous John B. Keane movie "The Field", first performed in 1965. It was adapted into a film in 1990 by Jim Sheridan. It tells the story of the hardened farmer "Bull" McCabe and his love for the land he rents.
Distance: 14 km/9 miles, Ascent 85 m/255 ft
Approximate walking time 4 hrs

Day 7 Drummin to Westport
On your final walking day you will walk in the shadow of Ireland's Holy Mountain; Croagh Patrick. This mountain is a spectacular sight and many pilgrims from around the world come to climb it every year, many barefoot or on their knees. It is believed that the saint fasted here for 40 days and 40 nights, the mountain was crucial to his campaign to convert Celtic people to Christianity. You will be transported to the start of your walk. Following a small country road, the trail leads you to the wild and beautiful townlands of Bartaglanna and Glencally. Here you will have the option to take a detour to climb to the summit of Croagh Patrick or continue along the Western Way into the picturesque yet lively town of Westport with many colourful shops, restaurants and pubs.
Distance: 23 km/14 miles, Ascent 420 m/1260 ft
Approximate walking time 6, 5 hrs

Day 8 End of Tour
Depart

If you would like more information please e-mail us at: info@walkinghikingireland.com

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• Dingle Way 8 day • Dingle Way 10 day • Glens of Antrim • Wales• Kerry Way •
• Wicklow Way 6 day • Wicklow Way 8 day • Wicklow Way 10 day •
• West Highland Way 6 day • West Highland Way 7 day • West Highland Way 10 day •