Itinerary

Day 1 We offer a Courtesy Transfer from Castlebar Railway Station at 16.00hrs. We transfer to our first overnight on the Mullet Peninsula in the townland of Clogher which is nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and Blacksod Bay. Surf and sand abound everywhere. Evening meal together and a general chat about the coming week’s walks. We stay here for three nights.


Day 2 Our morning transfer takes us North East for a lovely loop walk with start/finish in the village of Carrowteige. The views across Broadhaven Bay to Erris Head, Belmullet Peninsula and South to Achill and Slievemore are breathtaking. We follow the trail along rugged and stunning cliff tops to Benwee Head returning via the “Children of Lir” sculpture in the village. Overnight and Evening Dinner.
Walk Details - Distance: 15kms. Height gain: 75mts. Walking time: 4 to 5 hours.
Hiking boots essential. Transfer time from B+B to walk start - about 45 mins.


Day 3 Today’s walk takes us around the Northern tip of the Belmullet Peninsula and Erris Head. Here we have the reverse views across Broadhaven Bay to Benwee Head and Kid Island. We follow the cliff top coastline to Erris Head and down the Atlantic Coast side of the Peninsula. Small coves and rocky inlets dominate this area giving it that wild, rugged apprearace resulting from the endless pounding of the ocean … A place to reflect and ponder. Overnight and Evening Dinner.
Walk Details - Distance: 14kms. Height gain: 80mts. Walking time: 5 hrs. Hiking boots essential. Transfer time from B+B to walk start - about 20mins.


Day 4 Traditionally this has been our “free day”, “island day” or “transfer day. We may have the opportunity, weather and tide permitting to visit Inishglora and its monastic settlement founded by St. Brendan. Legend also has it this island is the burial place of the “Children of Lir”. Iniskea is also a possibility with its monastery founded in the 6th century by St. Columcille. Afternoon transfer to Achill and our accommodation for the rest of the holiday. Evening walk along the secluded valley of Keem and its sandy beach on the Western tip of Achill. Keem Bay is an idyllic spot tucked between the Croaghaun Mountain in the North and spectacular cliffs in the West. Overnight and Evening meal in Dooagh.
Walk Details: Transfer time Mullet to Achill. 1 hr. … plus stop times !! Evening Walk and Island trips will NOT require hiking boots.


Day 5 After breakfast we walk past an old quartz quarry, walk up to an old Signal Tower that
overlooks the island, then onward towards the ‘Deserted Village’ at the foot of the majestic Slievemore Mountain. Three villages of about 80 abandoned stone cottages make up the settlement and are linked by an old pathway on which we will walk to get an insight into life on Achill in the past. After snack lunch in one of the old houses, we will return home via Keel, the largest village on the island with its 3kms. of sandy beach. Overnight and Evening Dinner in Dooagh.
Walk Details - Distance: 12 kms /8 kms. (pick-up in Keel possible); Height: insignificant
Walking Time: 3 hours / 4 hours


Day 6 Today we will walk up the “Coffin Trail” to a lookout point at the Minaun Heights. The walk will lead us past one of Achill’s children’s cemeteries where in the past un-baptised children were buried. The trail ends at a hill-top viewing point, giving a breathtaking panoramic view of Achill Island. Continuing our walk to the other side of the cliffs, we will be collected and returned to our B&B. Overnight and Evening Dinner in Dooagh.
Walk Details - Distance: 6/8 kms. Height: 460 mts. Walking Time: 4/5 hours


Day 7 On today’s walk we will go towards Lough Acorrymore, a lake created by glacial erosion and which today is a water supply for the entire island. North of it lies the corrie lake of Corrynatawy at an unusually low elevation. We will walk down to it and then on to the sandy beach of Annagh Strand which is spectacularly located and usually deserted. After lunch at the beach we will start our way back to our B&B. Overnight and Evening Dinner in Dooagh.
Distance: 12 kms. Height: 230 mts. Walking Time: 4.5 hours


Day 8 After breakfast we bid farewell to this most beautiful and breathtaking part of Ireland. We offer a courtesy transfer to Castlebar Bus/Rail station for your onward transfer to International Airports, and/or other areas of the country. There is a good bus and train service to all major towns and cities in Ireland from Castlebar.

More information from SouthWestWalks Ireland :

• View trip on provider's website
  www.southwestwalksireland.com/…
• Company profile, experience, and history
• View all of their trips