Ireland Hiking 8 Days

Ennis
You’ll start the tour from Ennis, a pleasant village in county Clare with an 13th century Friary at its center. There is lots to see and do in Ennis and its vibrant historical center is full of pubs with traditional music sessions throughout the day and evening.

Doolin – Cliffs of Moher
You will be shuttled to either the Cliffs of Moher and walk the Burren Way to Doolin; this trail is one of the most spectacular in Ireland (if not the world)!  Enough said. Doolin is a center for traditional music and every night of the year, you can sit in on sessions that are wonderful (on a recent visit, we listened to John O’Connell, Quentin Cooper, Eoin O’Neill and Adam Shapiro. Luka Bloom, the Irish folk singer-songwriter (and younger brother of Christy Moore) played also. It’s that kind of place.
Walking distance: 8 km; 125 m gain or 13 km; 340 m gain.

Burren Way to Ballyvaughan
On this day, walk the Burren Way to  Ballyvaughan, where we recommend lunch at the infamous Monks Pub, where sea-food chowder never tasted better. On the shuttle back to Doolin, stop to view the Poulnabrone Dolmen, one of the larger megalithic tombs in the region. We recommend options for dinner in Doolin, which now boasts several excellent options.
Walking distance: 14.3 km; 200 m gain or 20.2 km; 345 m gain or 26.2 km; 440 m gain.

Aran Islands – Inishmore
Ferry to Aran Islands. No visit to this part of Ireland would be complete without a visist to Inishmore, where  you’ll hike up to Dun Aengus to see the ancient ring fort that is one of the most remarkable in Ireland. It dates from around 500 B.C. and sits on a cliff edge some 200 feet above the sea. You can also hike to a worm-hole, where a chunk of granite dropped out of the rock and now leaves a large natural swimming pool (Red Bull held a cliff diving competition here). Enjoy a horse-drawn trap ride along the quiet roads if you choose.
Walking distance: 8.1 km; 85 m gain.

Aran Islands – Inishmore
Enjoy a leisurely day, with a loop walk to the west end of the island; on the way back, you be on a walking trail that passes 7 ancient churches. or walk a green road out to a lovely beach to swim. Enjoy dinner at a popular island pub with more live music.
Walking distance: 10.5 km; 60 m or 13.2 km; 145 m gain.

Western Way – to Inagh Lake
After a short ferry ride to Rosaveel, you’ll be met for a shuttle to Inagh Lough (the Luxe trip goes to Ballynahinch; the description here is for the Classic trip). Walk part of the Western Way, a linear trail that begins in Oughterard on Lough Corrib and goes to Maam Cross and along the flank of the Maumturk Mountains to Maum Ean, a holy place that has attracted pilgrims since the early Christian period. Descending again into the beautiful Inagh Valley the route passes between the Twelve Bens and the Maumturks.
Walking distance: 16.4 km; 340 m gain.

Western Way – to Leenaun
The section of trail between Inagh Lake and Leenaun is spectacular and arriving to the village of Leenaun makes for a great lunch stop. Back at Inagh Lake Lodge, sit by the fire with some of best views in Ireland. Walking distance: 16.6 km; 175 m gain.

Departure. You can reach Galway by bus from Recess on your departure.