Walking in Connemara
- Escape to Connemara on Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Coast
- The picturesque town of Clifden with its plethora of fine dining restaurants
- Hike the foothills of the Maumturk Mountains on the Western Way
- Exceptional island walking on Inishbofin Island
- Always a wave and a warm welcome from the welcoming locals
Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive Clifden and overnightClifden on Ireland’s west coast is located in an area of great natural beauty and is easily accessible from Galway. This picturesque town is the capital of Connemara and has a spectacular setting between the foothills of the Twelve Bens Mountains and the Atlantic Ocean. It is also renowned as the “gourmet capital” of western Ireland and there are many fine-dining restaurants where you can enjoy fresh seafood.
The Clifden Station House Hotel is a most welcoming hotel and has 78 lovely and spacious bedrooms, complimentary high speed Wi-Fi and a bar and restaurant in which to relax. It also offers all the modern facilities you will need including an award winning Spa and Leisure Centre.
Foyle's Hotel Clifden, Connemara's longest established hotel has been owned and managed by the Foyle family for nearly a century.
It has recently been redesigned to the highest modern standards, yet retains much of its old charm and atmosphere. Each bedroom is fitted out to the highest standards of comfort. All rooms are en-suite (bathrooms with bathtub and overhead showers) and have radio, television, direct dial telephones, hair dryer and central heating. The Foyle’s restaurant - Marconi Restaurant - is famous for its seafood dishes.
Enjoy the comfort and charm of staying in this historical Georgian country house. The rooms demonstrate elegance and cosy warmth, plus all the benefits of modern conveniences, like the en-suite bathrooms. Situated in Clifden the breakfasts are all made from fresh garden produce and include homemade pancakes, full Irish breakfast, Connemara smoked salmon, and farm-fresh eggs from our their own chickens.
Start your day with an energizing breakfast and take a delightful circular walk along the Ardmore Peninsula. Very few places can match the rugged beauty and scenery that can be enjoyed from the Sky Road. Pass Clifden Castle, Clifden Beach, and notice the monument to John D’Arcy, the founder of Clifden and the man who built the castle. Imagine life as it was in the past and keep your camera close.Â
Take a short transfer (duration: 15 min) to Cleggan pier followed by an evening ferry (duration: 30 min) to Inishbofin. Get settled into your hotel, tuck into a hearty dinner, and perhaps have a warming Irish whisky to round off the day.Â
Ascent/Descent: +460m/-460m
Ideally located on the magical island of Inishbofin you'll find Murray's Doonmore Hotel. Relax in one of the comfortable en suite rooms with views of the ocean, the surrounding island farms, or both. Freshly caught seafood can be enjoyed at the restaurant followed by a warming Irish whiskey at the bar.
Boasting a soothing, quiet location and attentive service, Bay Cottage B&B is only a stone's throw away from the beach, and offers in-house breakfasts with beautiful views.
It's not every day you get to wake up on the beautiful island of Inishbofin, and we have a lovely circular walk in store for you to make the most of it! Translated as “Island of the White Cow” Inishbofin is only 6km by 4km in size. Peppered with award-winning beaches, crystal-clear water, and a breeding area for many species of birds, it really packs a punch. Take a circular walk discovering the wild Atlantic landscapes and encounter evidence of early Christian inhabitants.Â
Ascent/Descent:Â +280m/-280m
Ideally located on the magical island of Inishbofin you'll find Murray's Doonmore Hotel. Relax in one of the comfortable en suite rooms with views of the ocean, the surrounding island farms, or both. Freshly caught seafood can be enjoyed at the restaurant followed by a warming Irish whiskey at the bar.
Boasting a soothing, quiet location and attentive service, Bay Cottage B&B is only a stone's throw away from the beach, and offers in-house breakfasts with beautiful views.
It's time to say a fond farewell to Inishbofin and head back to Cleggan on the mainland. A morning sailing (duration: 30 min) followed by a scenic transfer (duration: 30 min) will drop you off at the foothills of the Maumturks, a dramatic mountain range. Walk from the start of the trail near Lough Inagh to the village of Leenane following the Western Way. Fantastic views will surround you on your way, yet the walking is relatively easy. If you would prefer a shorter day we have an alternative walk that won't disappoint. Keep in mind that you will be transferred to the start of the trail near Lough Inagh to walk the longer route unless you have given us your preference.
Settle into your accommodation in Leenane, overlooking Ireland’s only fjord, Killary Harbour. This evening, make sure to head into the village to enjoy the “craic” over a pint of Guinness in one of the local pubs.Â
Walk to Leenane via The Western Way:Â 18km/11mi, Ascent/Descent:Â +130m/-160m
Walk to Leenane via Lettershanbally: 12km/7.5mi, Ascent Descent: +100m/-123m
This Hotel has 66 en suite guest bedrooms with the majority of them providing views of Killary Harbour and some of them with a view of mountains. Each room is uniquely styled in keeping with the hotel’s character.
Delphi Resort is set on a 300-acre site in the heart of the scenically breathtaking Delphi Valley. Located near Leenane, Connemara on the Galway/Mayo border. The resort is perfectly situated in some of the most awe-inspiring scenery in the world along Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way, The Western Way, The Blueway, and the edge of The Greenway. The resort offers numerous facilities for your stay.
A short transfer (duration: 15 min) will drop you off at the start of today's gentle walk. Make your way back to the village of Leenane following River Erriff along a small section of the Western Way. Aasleagh Falls are located just outside the village of Leenane and are well worth a detour during your hike. The picturesque waterfall feeds into Killary Fjord and is a popular spot for salmon fishing. These waterfalls are in the heart of Connemara and in sunny weather, it may be a calming place for a picnic!
Ascent/Descent: +8m/-30m
This Hotel has 66 en suite guest bedrooms with the majority of them providing views of Killary Harbour and some of them with a view of mountains. Each room is uniquely styled in keeping with the hotel’s character.
Delphi Resort is set on a 300-acre site in the heart of the scenically breathtaking Delphi Valley. Located near Leenane, Connemara on the Galway/Mayo border. The resort is perfectly situated in some the most awe inspiring scenery in the world along Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way, The Western Way, The Blueway and the edge of The Greenway. The resort offers numerous facilities for your stay.
A transfer to Clifden is included (duration: 35 min) from where you can hop on a public bus to Galway. Alternatively, we can arrange a private transfer (upon request at an additional cost).
This trip has a carbon score of 11kg per person per night, meaning it’s one of our greenest trips! For comparison, a carbon count of 11kg is equivalent to 2 Neapolitan margherita pizzas. Buon appetito!. Here at Macs, we pride ourselves on being a responsible travel company and continue to adopt, develop and innovate ways to positively impact the environment. Find out more information about how we've carbon counted our trips.
Other Information
Is it for me?If you want to see the unspoilt and rugged beauty of Connemara in all its glory whilst taking relatively easy walks, with very few elevation gains and losses, then you should definitely take this tour. The warmth of the Irish people is second to none, the food and pub culture is incredible and the variety of walks along peninsulas, on islands and in the foothills the mountains, all capture the spirit of this truly magical part of Ireland.
Slower Adventures | Where walking and cycling meet easy-going exploring, our Slower Adventures are the perfect combination. Most days are filled with picturesque journeys with some free time to dive into the destination and experience the people, local food and culture as you go.
Inn to Inn Walking | Walk from place-to-place changing accommodations each night. Generally staying in B&B’s, inns, and guesthouses.
Solo Travellers
As a guide, we would suggest that the minimum age of traveler this tour would be suitable for is: 12 Years
This walking trip is graded easy to moderate with gentle walks that can be completed at your own pace. It is advisable to build up your fitness before setting off, we recommend taking walks that are similar in duration to what you will be doing on this holiday to make the most of your time and walks in Ireland. If you would like to have some flexibility it is possible to add some additional rest days.
Some short sections of the walking routes follow minor country roads (also known as bitumen), typically when leaving or entering local towns and villages and on Day 2 when walking along the Sky Road. This reflects the fact that rights of way are almost non-existent in Ireland. The road walking is scenic and mostly along quiet lanes with little traffic. Always take extra care and be mindful of other road users.
If you are thinking of travelling solo, please consider that mobile phone coverage may be patchy in remote areas along the trail. We also welcome small groups on the trail, ideally no bigger than 8-10 travellers due to accommodation limitations. Booking in advance is a must!/p>
The accommodations on this tour are a variety of hotels, B&Bs, and guest houses. In Clifden the accommodation is of a higher standard as there are a number of choices. On Inishbofin and in Leenane the accommodation is simple yet very comfortable. All-in-all they offer a particularly warm welcome, traditional hospitality, and delicious full or continental Irish breakfasts.
Single Rooms & Solo Walkers
We will be happy to accommodate your party with single rooms if requested, and a single supplement applies. This trip is also available to solo walkers, and a supplement is again payable (as some costs are not shared). Please note that singles may not be of the same standard as twins/doubles.
Meals
A hearty Irish breakfast is included each morning. Lunch and dinner are not included so you are free to choose from the available options.
Most of your accommodations will be more than happy to provide a packed lunch on request and this can be booked on arrival. Alternatively, you can buy lunch in local shops/cafés. For dinner, there are nearby pubs and restaurants in each location.
The routes on this tour are not way-marked, except when walking along the Western Way. Navigation is straightforward as you can use the Macs Adventure Smartphone App which has maps, GPS tracks, and daily route information. Simply download the GPS tracks for offline use and follow the route on your phone with the assurance that navigation will be simple, and you won’t get lost. You will find more information on downloading the app in your Macs Adventure Account.
- 5 Nights accommodation in B&B’s, hotels and guest houses
- 5 Breakfasts
- Luggage transfers
- Taxi transfer from Clifden accommodation to Cleggan pier (Day 2)
- Taxi transfer from Cleggan pier to trailhead (Day 4)
- Taxi transfer from Leenane accommodation to trailhead (Day 5)
- Taxi transfer from Leenane accommodation to Clifden (Day 6)
- Detailed trip information pack and access to the GPS tracks via the Macs Adventure app
- 24/7 Emergency telephone support from our office in the event of any issues
- Travel to and from Clifden
- Lunches, dinners, snacks and drinks
- Ferries to and from Inishbofin Island (payable locally)
- Travel insurance (required)
- Extra nights
This walking tour is best enjoyed between May and September. In our opinion, one of the best times to visit this region is in spring when colourful wildflowers are in bloom and the beaches look incredible at this time of year. July and August are the busiest months and accommodations tend to fill up fast, but you can appreciate long hours of daylight. For a quieter experience, September is an ideal month, and it has the advantage of the crowds beginning to thin.
You have the flexibility to start on any date, subject to availability. We recommend booking in advance to avoid disappointment, especially when travelling in a group.
Irish weather is typically unpredictable year-round so be prepared for any conditions and you will be pleasantly surprised. No matter what month you choose to travel, being near the coast means it can get wet and windy at any time of year. It is important that you check the local weather forecast before setting off each day.
There is access to Galway from Dublin Airport on a Citylink bus. They run every hour and the journey takes about 3H. From Galway there is a Citylink bus to Clifden, which takes 1H30 and they run every 2-3 hours. Other useful travel websites are Bus Eireann and Irish Rail.
Should you wish to fly into Shannon Airport, there is also access from here to Clifden. Take a bus from Shannon Airport to Galway (1H40) and then the Citylink bus as described above from Galway to Clifden.
From Leenane, a private transfer is included to Clifden, a 30-minute drive. Citylink buses are available from both these locations to Galway, from where you can travel by bus to Dublin or Shannon Airports.
Your bags will be collected from your accommodation each day and moved onto your overnight accommodation. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 18kg per person.
At Macs Adventure, we work in partnership with many luggage transfer providers who set a limit on how many bags/suitcases they will transfer per person, and also the weight of the bag/suitcase. Your booking includes transfer of 1 bag per person.  It is very important that you read the luggage information specific to your tour before departure. If you do not adhere to these limits, there is a great possibility that you will be charged locally both for extra bags or if they are too heavy. This limitation can be a challenge, especially as airlines generally have limits that are higher. However, our luggage providers have reasons for these limits (usually due to the Health and Safety of their employees), which we must respect.
Inishbofin ferry
The ferry from Cleggan pier to the Island of Inishbofin takes approximately 30 minutes. For ferry information use the following website, Inishbofin Island Discovery. There is one ferry that leaves at approximately 11:30 am and returns at approximately 5:00 pm. However please be sure to view up-to-date timetables as during Easter week and on bank holidays schedules are different. We recommend buying your return ticket (approx €20) on the website in advance, although you can also buy a ticket locally. Please note that schedules may change according to the tide and weather conditions and the ferry company also reserves the right to cancel ferries if the weather is extreme.
It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the activity and emergency evacuation and hospital care.
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At Macs, we don’t do tour buses, groups, or guides. Instead, we give you the freedom and confidence to have your own self-guided hiking or biking adventure.
This is active travel led by you.
You choose your departure date and who you travel with, we do the rest.
We sort accommodation and luggage transfers and provide your route in an easy-to-use app.
We give you everything you need to travel independently but we're here 24/7 if you need us.
Getting from A to B under your own steam is intensely rewarding. With Macs, you'll see the world, and yourself, differently.