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Transcript of Hiking Ireland's Northern Highlights - Wilderness Scotland › wp-content › ...Ireland jutting...
Inspiring Adventures in the Wild Places of Ireland
SAMPLE ITINERARY Hiking Ireland’s Northern Highlights in Style
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INTRODUCTION
This rugged and beautiful wilderness is a corner of Europe that somehow the rush of the modern world overlooked. Its rolling mountains, towering cliffs, swathes of white sand beaches and tiny villages have been left to their own devices, today as romantically remote as they have been for generations. Our route will take us from the Giants Causeway in sight of Scotland along the northern rim of Ireland to the dramatic edge of some of the highest sea cliffs in Europe. We shall explore tiny islands and coastal headlands rich in wildlife; hike through mountain landscapes awash with myths and legends; experience the freshest of seafood; each evening retiring to pampered luxury.
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PROPOSED ITINERARY
Day 1 – GIANTS CAUSEWAY Meeting in Dublin we travel north to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Giant’s Causeway. Our walk will take us along the cliff tops and stretches of white sand beach to reach this fascinating geological phenomena; the focal point of a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty that has attracted visitors for centuries. After lunch we shall have a tour of one of Ireland’s oldest whiskey distilleries and a tasting of the ‘Uisce Beatha’(the Irish word for whiskey which translates as ‘the water of life’)! (L)
Walk description: 13km | Ascent: 120m | Time: 3-4hrs
Accommodation: Luxury, Four Star Boutique Hotel
Day 2 –RATHLIN ISLANDThis morning we shall set sail for the nearby wildlife haven of Rathlin Island. Seals lie undisturbed on the harbour beach and the island’s cliff edges are thick with guillemots, kittiwakes, gannets, razorbills and puffins. Our walk will take us to a lighthouse on the western end of the island where the cliffs and sea stacks support the largest seabird breeding colony in Northern Ireland. (B, PL)
Walk description: 18km | Ascent: 200m | Time: 4-5hrs
Accommodation: Luxury, Four Star Boutique Hotel
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Day 3 – DERRY & THE INISHOWEN PENINSULA The Inishowen Peninsula stretches north with its tip, Malin Head, being the most northerly point of Ireland jutting into the restless Atlantic Ocean. It is a wild windswept landscape peppered in ancient archaeological remains. Our walk climbs over rugged hills and past dramatic coastal cliffs. We shall then visit the beautiful walled city of Derry to listen to the good news story of this now peaceful city from a local resident. (B,PL)
Walk description: 8km | Ascent: 250m | Time: 2-3hrsAccommodation: 4-Star Georgian Country House Hotel, Rathmullan
Day 4 – EXPLORE RATHMULLANToday take the time to explore Rathmullan in your own time. Perhaps take a walk along the two mile stretch of white sandy shore overlooking Lough Swilly. Admire the seven acres of carefully tended gardens, the rose garden, the sculptures, the wood lands and the soothing, sunken Tranquillity Garden where, to quote Yeats, 'peace comes dropping slow'. Or perhaps take a walk through the historical village of Rathmullan. This evening enjoy a pre dinner drink by the open fire before a gourmet meal in the house’s well renowned restaurant. (B)
Accommodation: 4-Star Georgian Country House Hotel, Rathmullan
Day 5 – MOUNT ERRIGAL & GLENVEAGH NATIONAL PARKOne of Ireland’s most iconic mountains, Mount Errigal, is the highest mountain in Donegal. Its glittering quartzite peak dominates the northwest corner of Ireland. At its summit expansive views stretch to the jagged coast and often rare Golden Eagles circle on the thermals above. In the afternoon we shall visit the mystical castle of Glenveagh set amidst the wilderness of Glenveagh National Park. Before continuing onto our castle retreat in the Bluestack mountains. (B,PL)
Accommodation: 5-Star Castle Hotel, Donegal
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Day 6 – GLENCOLMCILLEWonderfully remote, Glencolmcille began as a settlement in Neolithic times, and the area is littered with Megalithic tombs. This walk climbs around the eastern summit of Beefin and Gaveross Mountain passing old stone walls, the 5,000 year old Mannernamortee Megalithic Tomb and numerous cross-inscribed pillars. In the village of Ardara we shall pop into the infamous Nancy’s Bar for a well-earned pint. (B,PL)
Walk description: 13km | Ascent: 440m | Time: 3-4hrsAccommodation: 5-Star Castle Hotel, Donegal
Day 7 – SLIEVE LEAGUE CLIFFSToday we will visit some of the highest sea cliffs in Europe. The gigantic façade of Slieve League (or Mountain of the Flagstones) plunges some 600m into the sea below; its compacted mixture of rocks and ores form a fabulous kaleidoscope of multi-coloured hues. Our route follows an ancient pilgrim path to the venerated ruins of an old church. (B,PL)
Walk description: 12.5km | Ascent: 520m | Time: 5hrs 30mins. Accommodation options: Lough Eske Castle, Donegal
Day 8 – THE BLUE STACK MOUNTAINSFrom your accommodation we take a walk through an ancient woodland and along the spectacular Lough Eske amongst the Blue Stack Mountains. There will be time to peruse through some Donegal tweeds, for which the county is well known, before heading east towards Dublin and home. (B,L)
Walk description: 5km | Ascent: 100m | Time: 2hrs
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COST
The trip price is €*** per person based upon a group size of up to ** clients. This includes the following:
• 7 night’s accommodation
• Your own private guide for 8 days
• All transport throughout the trip
• Breakfasts and packed lunches each day
• Access to the Giants Causeway Visitor Centre
• Local ferry crossing to Rathlin Island
• A walking tour with a local resident of the walls of Derry
• A tour of Glenveagh Castle in Glenveagh National Park
GETTING THERE AND AWAY
You will be met by your guide at 10am on Day 1 of the trip at a Dublin City Centre location. We will return to Dublin City around 4pm on Day 8. Please do get in touch for advice on how to get to Dublin from your location.
YOUR GUIDE
Passionate and knowledgeable about Ireland your Wilderness Ireland guide will personally introduce you to his homeland, giving you a unique insight into this land of saints and scholars. As highly qualified and experienced walking guides you can expect to be in the safest of hands while exploring these spectacular landscapes.
ACCOMMODATION
All our hotels and guest houses are hand selected based on their quality, customer care and local character. We work closely with all our hotel partners to ensure our guests experience the very best during their stay with us in Ireland.
The itinerary above is available all year round however accommodation and activities are however subject to availability at the time of booking.
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