The Wild Atlantic Way

In Castlebar, you’ll join your guide and fellow travellers at 4pm and, after a short tour briefing and introduction, transfer approx. 1 hour to Achill island, which will be your base for the next two nights.

You stay tonight at Roskeel House, a charming B&B situated within the village of Keel on the coast of Achill Island. Roskeel is a short 5-minute walk from the beach – some of the rooms have a view of the ocean. Restaurants, cafes, pubs are right on your doorstep.

In the evening, stroll to a nearby restaurant to enjoy a delicious dinner in the company of your travelling companions.

Achill is tiny – 5 miles long and 3 miles wide – but it contains a number of lovely walking routes. Here are found quiet roads perfect for walking and cycling, and mountain trails leading to rugged cliffs. The beaches are pristine. Fishing and traditional farming ensure the survival of rare flora and fauna. Nature lovers can enjoy the wildflowers, sea colonies and bird life, including good prospects for sighting the endangered corncrake.

Today’s walk will take you across (often very boggy!) moorland and past an inland lake to reach the Deserted Village at Slievemore, which consists of 80-100 stone cottages set along a mile-long stretch of road on the slopes of Slievemore mountain. Some of these ‘booley’ settlements were occupied only during summer months primarily to allow cattle to graze on summer pasture. This area is also rich in megalithic tombs and archaeological artefacts, evidence of much earlier settlement of the island.

At the end of the walk, you’ll be returned to Roskeel House. Dinner this evening to own account.

Terrain: Grass tracks, gravel tracks and paved road.
Distance: 11km
Ascent: 176 m; Descent: 353m
Boots: Essential!

Keem Strand occupies a sheltered bay between the cliffs of Benmore and the Croachaun Mountain, backed by grassy slopes which support a variety of plants and wildlife. There will be time to take a break and rest at Keem – if you’re feeling hardy, you may like to go for a swim in the bay!

From Keem, the circular route continues to Achill Head and along a bog valley to “Boycotts”, former home of 19th-century English land agent, Charles Boycott, whose role during the Irish Land War gave rise to the phrase “to boycott”.

At the end of the walk, you’ll join with the vehicle and depart for the town of Westport, where you spend the next two nights.

Westport is a delightful heritage town situated on the Carrowbeg River and overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. A distinctive feature of the town is its tree-lined boulevard, and the charming old bridges which span the river Carrowbeg. There are plenty of good restaurants, pubs and shops to explore during your stay.

While in Westport you stay at the Wyatt Hotel, which sits right in the heart of town. Dinner this evening is to your own account. The Wyatt’s award-winning restaurant and brasserie offers excellent food, while the Cobbler’s bar serves lighter meals.

Terrain: Paved roads, travel tracks and grassy, muddy trails. Some off-trail walking over hillsides, boggy conditions underfoot.
Distance: 8.6km
Ascent: 673m; Descent: 353m

Beginning your walk from the pier, you’ll soon reach the lighthouse and, if time allows, climb to the highest point of the island with views of Slievemore Mountain and Croagh Patrick. A hike around this magnificent island offers fabulous scenery and much else of historic interest.

At the end of the day, return to Westport for a group dinner and overnight at the Wyatt.

Terrain: Paved roads, gravel tracks & some grassy, uneven & muddy trails. Off-trail walking with some steep climbs.
Distance: 12.7km
Ascent: 348m; Descent: 347m

Starting from Murrisk on the northern slopes, you’ll follow the main pilgrim route, climbing approx. 400m to reach a high point on the shoulder of the mountain, below the summit (weather and time allowing, some members of the group may wish to climb to the summit; your guide will advise locally if this is possible). From here, you continue from the monastic settlement at Aghagower east along the ancient “Tochar Phadraigh” route, hiking around the southern foothills of Croagh Patrick in order to complete a full circuit of the mountain. The walk ends back at Murrisk, finishing at the visitor centre at the base of the mountain, where you can enjoy some well-earned refreshments. Later you will be taken to the ferry terminal for the 1-hour ferry crossing to Inishbofin Island.

You stay this evening at the Dolphin Hotel on Inishbofin Island. This small, owner-run hotel has been built using recycled local stone and weathered cedar. There are nine spacious rooms, and two outdoor deck areas for summer dining, as well as a small organic garden.

Terrain: Gravel tracks, loose scree, rocky and uneven conditions underfoot, muddy trails
Distance: 8km
Ascent: 470m

The island is a protected conservation area and home to a variety of breeding birds, including the endangered corncrake which has been breeding and nesting on Inishbofin for many years. Inishbofin is also rich in history, containing the remains of monastic sites dating back to the 14th-century. Coastal fortifications, houses and barracks are dotted around the island from the time of Cromwell, who set up a penal camp here for priests and monks. It is believed that Inishbofin Island was inhabited as far back as 8000-4000bc.

Traditional Irish music and song is still heard on Inishbofin and the local pub has live music most evenings, which you might like to enjoy this evening.

Terrain: Paved roads, gravel tracks & rocky, uneven off-trail sections.
Distance: 11km
Ascent: 173m; Descent: 180m

Facing the Atlantic Ocean, Inishbofin’s western coast is wild and rugged – many sea birds can be seen here. As well as the varied bird life, you’ll also be able to enjoy Inishbofin’s wildflower meadows and, with luck, you may spy some seals off the coast of Inishbofin!

Later today, you’ll return to the mainland by ferry and then make the short journey to Clifden on the mainland coast for dinner and overnight.

You stay tonight at the Station House, a comfortable hotel located close to the centre of Clifden. This evening, enjoy a group dinner at a local restaurant in Clifden to mark the end of your journey.