The Causeway Coastal Route & Donegal Tour

You will be met by your guide at the Lanyon Place Train Station in Belfast at 12 pm.

Two thousand years ago and more, so they say, two giants had a fierce argument. One stood on the Scottish shore, and the other, Finn MacCool, stood on the Irish side. Finn became so furious that he wanted nothing more than to come to blows, so he built a path over the sea to Scotland. Today that path is called the Giant’s Causeway, and on your first day of this guided hiking tour you’ll get to walk the cliffs of the Causeway Coastal Route as you come to discover the legend for yourself. Whether or not there ever was a fight between giants, the sight of this legendary geological feature will surely bring you a thrill!

It’s fitting that a hiking tour in Ireland be steeped in the majesty of nature and the mystery of ages past. Today you’ll board a boat and head for the shores of the lovely Rathlin Island, home to a large colony of puffins as well as a legend about the famous Scottish king Robert Bruce. It is said that in the year 1306 he was exiled to Rathlin Island by Edward the First of England. During his stay on the island, the King of the Scotts witnessed a spider as it repeatedly attempted to build a web-bridge. Only after many failed attempts did the spider finally triumph. With the spider as his role-model, Bruce returned to his home and did eventually reclaim his crown. Perhaps you’ll find an inspiring spider of your own? But if not, the puffins are absolutely adorable!

Step back in time, into the undiscovered Irish wilderness. Here in County Donegal your hiking adventure begins anew as you travel by ferry to the northernmost part of Ireland. The Inishowen Peninsula is bordered on the north by the wild Atlantic, on the west by Lough Swilly Fjord, and on the east by Lough Foyle. On the ferry ride you’ll be treated to incredible panoramic vistas before disembarking at your first stop, a World War II era lookout tower. You’ll continue on foot from there up a gentle slope onto Crocknasmug Hill where you’re surrounded by more majestic views of the coast.

You won’t mind another day in the ruggedly-beautiful County Donegal, especially when you get to catch a scenic ferry ride and then hike over a landscape so alien it was used in Star Wars Episode VIII! You’ll journey across Malin Head, over rocky hills, past ancient archaeological sites, and over jaw-dropping coastal cliffs. Revel in the sheer wild spirit of this land as you experience the “Forgotten County” of Northernmost Ireland.

Follow your guide as you hike through the idyllic Glenveagh National Park on another adventure! As you travel, you’ll be surrounded by the haunting beauty of wild mountains, crystal lakes, roaring waterfalls, and the ancient native oaks. Wend your way along in the stillness at the edge of the lake to find the mysterious Glenveagh Castle. Tucked away between the Glenveagh hills, the Castle will surprise you with manicured gardens here in the middle of the wilds. Once you’ve explored, you’ll continue beyond the walls of Glenveagh Castle, as you pass long-deserted villages on a curving track between the Derryveagh mountains.

You could say the best was saved for last with this final guided hike to the top of the Slieve League Cliffs. These are among the highest cliffs in all of Europe, and over three times the height of the Cliffs of Moher! You’ll hike along a seldom-used route known as the Pilgrim’s Path, which is a centuries-old byway used by Christian Pilgrims for spiritual journeys. When you reach the top, you’ll have to catch your breath at the stunning panoramas spread out before you: the Atlantic and the Peaks of Sligo and Donegal Bay. Afterward, you’ll have the opportunity to meet some interesting locals, and after you return to your accommodation there will be a scrumptious farewell dinner to send you off in style!

Today you’ll be traveling out of the wilds of Donegal to County Sligo. Known as “Yeats Country” after the Irish national poet W.B. Yeats, you’ll see why the landscapes of Sligo served as such an inspiration to the famous writer. Along your way, you’ll stop beneath Sligo’s Ben Bulben mountain to visit Yeats’ grave. You will be returned to Sligo MacDiarmada Railway Station by 12 pm on the final day of your trip.