Itinerary Details
MT Sobek: Ireland North to South Hiking
Day 1 Arrive in Dublin & Transfer to Derry
3-hour private van transfer
1-2 hours/1 mile city walk with 300' elevation loss
After arrival at Dublin airport in Ireland, meet your MT Sobek guide for a transfer to Derry — the United Kingdom's "City of Culture" in 2013. Check into the hotel, and then head out on a short walk to blow away the cobwebs. This evening, join a local guide to take a walk along the walls of Derry and learn first-hand a positive story of Northern Ireland.
Accommodation: Everglades Hotel
(L, D)
Day 2 Reach the Giant's Causeway
2-hour private van transfer
3–4 hours/6 miles hiking with 420' elevation gain & 400' elevation loss
Today walk along clifftops and stretches of white-sand beaches to reach the Giant's Causeway, a dramatic landscape of steep cliffs and 40,000 hexagonal basalt columns that project into the ocean. Rated Lonely Planet's top 2018 destination, the Giant's Causeway has for centuries inspired artists and stirred scientific debate. According to legend, a Scottish giant began hurling abuse across the English Channel at the Irish warrior, Fionn Mac Cumhaill. So the two giants could have a fist fight, Fionn built a causeway of these imposing columns all the way to Scotland.
Accommodation: Ballyliffin Lodge & Spa
(B, L, D)
Day 3 Hike the Inishowen Peninsula
2-hour private van transfer
3 hours/5 miles hiking with 290' elevation gain & 400' elevation loss
Explore the most northerly point of our journey and of Ireland, the Inishowen Peninsula. This wild and windswept headland, peppered in ancient archaeological remains, is perfect for blowing away the cobwebs. Our walk takes us across rugged hills, overlooking dramatic coastal cliffs and hidden coves, providing us with views across the north coast of Inishowen, Northern Ireland and, on a fine day, even Scotland.
Accommodation: Ballyliffin Lodge & Spa
(B, L, D)
Day 4 Knocknarea and Queen Maeve’s Grave
3.5-hour private van transfer
2 hours/3 miles hiking with 930' elevation gain & 660' elevation loss
Transferring from the north to west coast today we stop to climb the uniquely shaped Knocknarea, a little mountain perched on the shores of Sligo Bay. The hill is crowned by a 180-foot high cairn built over a millennium ago in honor of a Celtic heroine, Queen Maeve. Lunch is in Strandhill, the surf village that sits between Knocknarea and the perfect Atlantic waves that break here year round.
Accommodation: Westport Plaza Hotel
(B, L, D)
Day 5 Climb to the Summit of Croagh Patrick
4–5 hours/5 miles hike with 2,460' elevation gain & 2,460' elevation loss
Croagh Patrick is considered the holiest mountain in Ireland — the tradition of pilgrimage to its summit stretches back over 5,000 years. Thousands of devout Catholics climb the heather-covered hills and rough-stone paths to the small chapel at the summit every year, some barefoot. Climb to the summit today and take in the magnificent views of the northwestern Wild Atlantic Way along Clew Bay and its 365 islands. This evening, take time to explore the town of Westport on your own.
Accommodation: Westport Plaza Hotel
(B, L)
Day 6 Discover Killary Harbor & Kylemore Abbey
2.5-hour private van transfer
3–4 hours/5 miles hiking with 120' elevation gain & 120' elevation loss
Today hike along the edge of one of Ireland's three fjords, visit the fairytale castle of Kylemore Abbey, and take in the rugged mountain scenery, with steep, craggy peaks framing the harbor on each side. This part of Ireland was particularly affected by the Great Famine of 1845-49; stone ruins across the landscape speak of the hardship of that era. Pass by a ruined village which was abandoned during that time, and a relief road dating back to 1846 which was constructed by locals in return for food rations.
Accommodation: Park House Hotel
(B, L, D)
Day 7 Explore the Aran Islands
40-minute ferry ride, 1.5-hour private van transfer
2–3 hours/6 miles hiking with 290' elevation gain & 80' elevation loss
Renowned the world over, the three isolated rocky outcrops of the Aran Islands once held a position of great trading power in ancient Ireland. Today they are renowned as the bastion of traditional language, culture and music. Inis Mor is the largest island, home to one of the most important prehistoric sites in Europe: Dun Aonghusa (Dun Aengus), a semi-circular stone fort perched dramatically on top of a 328-foot drop into the sea. Walk to this spectacular location to take in magnificent vistas of Galway Bay, Connemara, and Black Head in the Burren.
Accommodation: Park House Hotel
(B, L, D)
Day 8 See the Cliffs of Moher
4-hour private van transfer
3 hours/4 miles hiking with 145' elevation gain & 740' elevation loss
The staggering 700'-high Cliffs of Moher are home to one of the largest colonies of nesting seabirds on mainland Ireland. Walking along the coastal trail, look out for humpback whales or basking sharks, and if the conditions are right, surfers playing in some of the world's largest surfable waves. Spend this evening in the quirky little village of Dingle, one of the great strongholds of traditional Irish music. In the evening, join the locals in one of the pubs to experience some real craic agus ceoil (fun and music).
Accommodation: Dingle Skellig Hotel & Spa
(B, L, D)
Day 9 Marvel at Mount Brandon
2-hour private van transfer
6–7 hours/9 miles hiking with 3,120' elevation gain & 1,720' elevation loss
One of the highest mountains in Ireland is named after St. Brendan (Breanainn) the Navigator, who, according to legend, had a vision of a promised land while seated at its summit. He and his monks consequently set sail for that land and disembarked in 535 AD (over 900 years before Columbus) on American soil. Though there's no way to prove it, there are many that believe the Irish discovered America! Today we will follow the Dingle Way along a spectacular trail that crosses a saddle to the north of the peak and descends into the fishing village of Brandon.
Accommodation: Dingle Skellig Hotel & Spa
(B, L)
Day 10 Walk Around Slea Head Along the Dingle Way
1.5-hour private van transfer
5-6 hours/11 miles hiking with 760' elevation gain & 605' elevation loss
Today the trail begins on the sand at Ventry Bay, then continues along the bottom of Mount Eagle, following the jagged Wild Atlantic Way around the spectacular Slea Head. Some of the finest archaeological sites in Ireland can be encountered on the Dingle Way, such as standing stones and beehive huts — dry-stone, dome-shaped buildings dating from circa 2000 B.C. At the end of the hike, have some time to peruse the art galleries and craft shops in Dingle before transferring to Killarney.
Accommodation: Great Southern Killarney
(B, L, D)
Day 11 Explore the Lakes of Killarney & Torc Mountain
3-4 hours/6 miles hiking with 780' elevation gain & 1,015' elevation loss
Today hike along a stunning stretch of the Iveragh Peninsula, or the Ring of Kerry, above the spectacular Lakes of Killarney. This is a windswept landscape broken only by the ruins of stone cottages and crumbling ancient monuments. The trail meanders between the mountains of Killarney National Park climbing up past Torc Waterfall to Torc Mountain. On a good day, the panoramic views of today's walk could claim to be the best in Ireland.
Accommodation: Great Southern Killarney
(B, L, D)
Day 12 Adare Village & Transfer to Dublin
3.75-hour private van transfer to Dublin
1 hour/3 miles riverside walk with 290' elevation gain & 290' elevation loss
For your last day's hike, head to Knockfeerina in County Limerick. This small summit gives 360 degree views of the surrounding countryside. Then transfer to Adare Village, where thatched cottages recently converted into modern boutiques provide the option to grab some last minute souvenirs. Enjoy lunch together one final time before continuing to the airport to say our farewells.
(B, L)
