The Galway and Mayo Walking Tour has a bit of everything, hillwalking, sightseeing, historical famine road, Holy Mountain and the famous Greenway.
The walks on the Galway and Mayo Walking Tour are at a relaxed pace up to 8 miles (12 km) ay 4aily, ideal for those who like their walking without too much effort. You will be taken a different direction each day to ramble and explore quiet country lanes, bog roads and wild Atlantic coastal paths. The cycle day has 2 distance options along the route up to 40km.
Westport nestles under the shadow of Croagh Patrick, overlooking Clew Bay and its enchanting islands. There are some wonderful craft & pottery shops, bookshops, restaurants, pubs and art galleries as well as the beautiful tree lined boulevard known as The Mall. The town weaves its spell around everyone it meets.
Belclare B&B, Coast Road, Westport
For the duration of your holiday you will be based in a family run B&B just outside Westport town centre.
Day 1 – Arrival Arrive Westport train station on the afternoon train due at 15.55 hours and transfer to your B&B just outside Westport by minbus. Dinner in Westport town at a restaurant of your own choosing. For anyone who wants some musical entertainment. Westport is a veritable Mecca for traditional music with a member of the famous Chieftains owning a bar in the main street.
Day 2 Diamond Hill in Connemara National Park followed by a visit to Kylemore Abbey afterwards. Please note that tour price does not include entrance to Abbey Walk time: 3 hours – Height gain 465m, distance 5 miles.
Day 3– Killary Harbour & Western Way
Beginning just outside the village of Leenane our walk commences on the Western Way. This is followed by a 15 minute road walk before we join the famine road that runs through to Rosroe village.
Walk time 5 hours – 12 miles
Day 4– Croagh Patrick
Westport’s special mountain, this conical shaped mountain that dominates the landscape standing at 764m high offers breathtaking views of Clew bay. The path to the summit has started to erode somewhat, and the climb to the top may not always be achieved as the weather and group fitness has to be factored in.
Day 5 – Free day
The bus will take you to Westport town after breakfast.
Westport is a very special town and is unique in that its one of the few planned towns in Ireland. It has won the tidy towns completion several times and has been voted as Ireland’s best place to live. With its lively pubs and great choice of restaurants you will pass your day off very nicely.
Day 6 – Bike the Greenway
You will be dropped in Achill and cycle the 25 miles back to Westport on the now disused Westport – Achill rail line.
Day 7
Today is a half days walk. We start on the north side of Clew Bay wand walk a section of the Burrishoole bog roads. We will be back in Westport town by lunch time where you will have the opportunity to catch up on any last minute shopping.
Day 8
We say farewell to each other .The bus will drop you at Westport railway station for the 09.45 departure.
Tour Details
8 days / 7 nights (Ref: GM)
This is a one centre, guided walking holiday.
Dates 2017
May 6. June 10. July 8, 22. August 19. September 2.
Price
€825 per person sharing
Single Supplement
€250
Walking Grade
2 Boots – Moderate walks of 6-9 miles (10-15km) per day with gradual ascents of up to 900ft (275m). Croagh Patrick 1600ft (490m)
Tour Highlights
Croagh Patrick, Ireland’s holy mountain and a place of pilgrimage for 5000 years
Clare Island – home to the legendary pirate queen Grainne Uaile, tour the 12th century Cistercian Abbey with its remarkable wall paintings
Kylemore Abbey, Neo Gothic former home of Mitchell Henry now in use as a premier boarding school for girls by the Benidictine nuns
Killary Harbour a fine example of a drowned glaciated valley and a superb coastal walk
Price Includes
7 day tour
7 nights B&B accommodation
7 Irish breakfasts
3 and a half days walking
Greenway cycle
Pack lunches provided on walking / cycle days
Experienced local guide
All transport to and from the walks
Transfer to your accommodation from Westport Railway station – this applies to the 15.55 arrival only
Transfer to town each evening
A taxi is necessary for your return home. This costs no more than €8.
What’s not included in this tour: 7 dinners, drinks, entrance to Kylemore Abbey – the group rate in 2014 was €8.
Airport Transfers
Transfers to and from Westport railway station are included in the price at the preset times.
Private taxi transfer (at client’s expense).
Knock airport to Westport
Single: €90 – Return: €180 Shannon airport to Westport
Single: €200 – Return: €400
By Rail:
Daily trains run from Dublin Heuston Train Station to Westport, for further information on times & fares – www.irishrail.ie