One centre, guided walking holiday

TOUR: 8 days

DATES 2008: June 7, July 19, Aug 9

Price 2008: €980 per person sharing. (US$1392 / Stg£676 approx.)
Please see booking information)

Single Supplement: €210 per person for week
(Please see booking information)

GRADE:

&

(Slieve League)

> Walking Grades explained

>> BOOK THIS TOUR

Join us in Ireland’s most northerly county, Donegal, one of the most unspoilt landscapes in Europe. It’s famous for its beautiful scenery, coastline, impressive mountain ranges, glens and lakes and rich reminders of a historic past.

This week long tour is based in Donegal town, centrally located for the best walks in the area, and famous for it’s 15th century castle, tweeds and traditional music. Routes, with a variety of ground underfoot, are from 6 to10 miles (9.5 to 16 km) each day and take you to Slieve League, among Europe’s highest sea-cliffs and into the glorious Glenveagh National Park.

Tour Highlights:
• Slieve League – Europe’s highest sea cliffs
• Glenveagh National Park – it’s gardens, castle & Irish red deer
• Donegal’s history of traditional Irish music
• Donegal town – overlooking Donegal Bay, 15th century castle,
--pubs and home of Irish tweed
• Optional boat trip

Itinerary:
Day 1 Arrival
19.00 hrs. Dinner/welcome briefing with guide at accommodation

Day 2 Blue Stack Mountains
Distance: 9.5km/6miles* Ascent: 220m/700ft
A gentle walk, around Banagher Hill, to distil the essence of Donegal -
glens offering peace and greenness, deserted hills, lakes and rivers.
*can be extended

Day 3 Barnesmore
Distance: 13.5km/8.5miles Ascent: 125m/415ft
Continuing exploration to the east of the Blue Stacks, you walk by streams and lakes,
mainly along forest roads. A descent through Barnesmore Gap is along the former
railway line. Finish at the famed Biddy o’ Barnes pub.

Day 4 Glenveagh National Park
Distance: 12km/7.5miles* Ascent: none (all downhill)
You walk, mainly on green/unsurfaced road, through this narrow glen.
There are legends, waterfalls, old woods, the castle, formal gardens,
the island-dotted lake and a visitor centre.
*add if taking in gardens (international) and nature walk

Day 5 Option Day
You can laze around Donegal town or take a gentle stroll or cycle.
Options: boat trip to Aranmore Island or visit to Ulster American Folk Park in Omagh..

Day 6 Slieve League
Distance: 10.5km/6.5miles* Ascent: 535m/1,750ft
A spectacular walk over some of Ireland’s finest sea-cliffs. The Atlantic Ocean
has carved a variety of shapes and the rocks and vegetation produce a kaleidoscope of colour. The faces are nesting-places for choughs, guillemots, puffins, etc.
* The climb to the summits is undertaken only in favourable weather conditions.

Day 7 By Donegal Bay
Distance: 12.5km/8miles Ascent: 75m/250ft
A leisurely coastal walk from Ballyshannon to Rossnowlagh – two beaches
(Wardtown and Belall Strands), sea cliffs, wildlife, Kilbarron Castle –
to leave you with memories to take home..

Day 8 Departure

Note that, for weather or other reasons, on occasion the guide may
have to change the sequence of walks or the walks themselves.

Price 2008: €980 per person sharing. (US$1392 / Stg£676 approx.)
Please see booking information)

Single Supplement: €210 per person for week
(Please see booking information)

Price includes:
• 7 nights accommodation in Irish Tourist Board approved 3-star hotel
• 7 full Irish breakfasts
• 5 packed lunches
• 6 dinners
• Experienced guide
• Transfers to and from walks

Note: The minimum number required for the above itinerary is 8 persons



Getting there:
We recommend that clients fly into Dublin airport or Derry airport before 12.00 so they can connect with public transport. Thare are frequent buses from Dublin airport into the city centre bus station (Busaras). There is a direct bus from Dublin Central Bus Station (Busaras) to Donegal town (4 hour journey). Please see www.buseireann.ie for details.

Alternatively you can fly into Derry airport www.cityofderryairport.com
and get a taxi into Derry city ( a 12 minute journey which costs Stg£10 approximately) and then a direct bus (www.buseireann.ie) from Derry to Donegal town (1.5 hour journey).
You can also fly into Belfast City airport and get the Maiden City Flyer bus (www.translink.co.uk) from Belfast city centre to Derry City Centre (a 1 hour 45 min journey). You can then get a direct bus (www.buseireann.ie) from Derry city to Donegal town (1.5 hour journey)