From sea to summit
Stunning views in great company
2027 Tour date: Sunday, May 9th – Sunday, May 16th
Join me on a 8-day small-group hiking adventure along Ireland’s coast from Northern Ireland to Donegal, Sligo & Mayo. As a local, I’ll take you beyond the guidebooks to experience the Ireland I know and love. This is the kind of trip I’d take with friends—great hikes, delicious food, incredible scenery, local experiences, and plenty of craic along the way.
From the summit of Slieve Donard to the dramatic cliffs of Slieve League, we’ll hike iconic trails including the Causeway Coast, Mount Errigal in Donegal, and Knocknarea, home to the legendary cairn of Queen Maeve. Along the way there will be time for the simple moments too—a refreshing dip in the Atlantic after a hike, an ice cream overlooking the sea, a pint in a local pub, and the kind of unexpected encounters that make travelling through Ireland so memorable.
Share unforgettable moments with fellow adventurers as you discover Ireland’s breath-taking views, rich heritage, local traditions, and rugged beauty from sea to summit.
Your Hiking Guide
Rachel Nolan
As your host, I’ll be sharing Ireland through the eyes of a local. I’m an Irish trail runner and outdoor enthusiast and spend much of my free time exploring these mountains, coastal trails, and hidden corners. Rather than simply visiting the well-known sights, I’ll take you to some of my favourite places—spots I return to again and again because of their beauty, history, or simply the feeling of being there. My goal is for you to experience Ireland as I do: on foot, at a relaxed pace, surrounded by great scenery, good company, and plenty of local stories along the way.
Local knowledge
This is my home. I know the trails, landscapes and hidden corners that make Ireland special.
Beyond the guidebook
Experience Ireland through the eyes of someone who lives here and loves exploring it.
Your host
From the first hike to the final evening, I’ll be there to guide, organise and share the adventure with you.
Contact Me
Reserve your spot now
To book a tour, simply send me an enquiry through the “Contact Me” form. I’ll get back to you personally with the next steps, answer any questions you may have, and help you complete your booking.
Your adventure awaits
Hiking tour ITINERARY
Enjoy browsing through the hiking tour itinerary day by day. This tour is designed for you to experience iconic views and to discover hidden gems. I’m looking forward to sharing this adventure with you. Any questions? Get in touch and we can have a chat!
Sunday, May 9th 2027
Your Irish adventure begins in Belfast, where we’ll get our first taste of the city’s fascinating history, colourful characters and legendary storytelling.
We’ll meet at 4pm to start our adventure together*
Highlights:
Stay: Belfast
Dinner incl.
*How to get to Belfast?
Monday, May 10th 2027
Start your adventure properly with a hike to the summit of Slieve Donard, the highest mountain in Northern Ireland.
Highlights:
After the hike: Travel to Portballintrae. Relax, refuel and settle into coastal County Antrim.
Stay: Portballintrae
Dinner incl.
Tuesday, May 11th 2027
Today is one of the great days of the trip: a spectacular coastal hike ending at the otherworldly Giant’s Causeway.
Highlights:
Then: Back to Portballintrae for dinner and a well-earned drink.
Stay: Portballintrae
Wednesday, May 12th 2027
Leave the Causeway Coast behind and make your way west, stopping in the historic city of Derry before continuing into the wild, rugged landscapes of Donegal.
Highlights:
Tonight: Settle into the heart of Donegal
Stay: Glenties
Thursday, May 13th 2027
Stand on the edge of some of Europe’s highest sea cliffs before experiencing the music, stories and hospitality of Donegal.
Highlights:
In the evening: Good food, good music and a proper Irish night out.
Stay: Donegal town
Dinner incl.
Friday, May 14th 2027
Walk in the footsteps of Queen Maeve before swapping hiking boots for a very Irish way to unwind: a traditional seaweed bath.
Highlights:
Afterwards: Slow down, soak it all in and enjoy the coast.
Stay: Enniscrone
Dinner incl.
Saturday, May 15th 2027
Slow down for your final day and experience the Ireland that most visitors never see — local craft, woodland trails, birds of prey and dinner in a castle.
Highlights:
To finish your adventure: One last unforgettable Irish evening together.
Stay: Enniscrone
Dinner incl.
Sunday, May 16th 2027
Start your final morning with a peaceful walk along the beach, taking in the fresh Atlantic air and enjoying one last glimpse of Ireland’s beautiful coastline.
Your adventure comes to an end as you make your way back to Dublin — hopefully with a camera roll full of memories, new friends and a slightly unhealthy obsession with Ireland.
(If you would like to extend your trip instead of returning to Dublin let me know and I can help you make a plan)
Hiking in Ireland: FAQ
This tour is for people who love being outdoors, enjoy exploring on foot, and want to experience Ireland with a small group of like-minded adventurers. You don’t need to be an experienced mountaineer or hardcore hiker. You should, however, be comfortable spending several hours on your feet and walking on uneven, sometimes steep or rocky terrain. Most importantly, you should enjoy a bit of adventure, beautiful scenery, good food, local experiences and great company!
You should be reasonably active and comfortable hiking for several hours at a time. The hikes range from approximately 5.6 km to 15 km, with elevation gains of roughly 400–840 metres depending on the day. Some hikes are definitely more challenging than others, so this is an active holiday rather than a sightseeing trip where we happen to go for a short walk.
The hikes are of various difficulty. You can expect elevation gain, uneven ground, rocks, it could be muddy in places and some steep sections. Ireland’s weather can also make a trail more challenging. If you regularly enjoy hiking, hill walking, long walks or other active outdoor pursuits, you’ll likely feel right at home.
There are five main hikes included in the itinerary. The last day you’ll have the option to choose between a long walk or a bike trip. But every day I have also other activities and experiences planned for you. This gives you a chance to enjoy Ireland beyond the trails and means the week has a nice rhythm rather than feeling like one long endurance event.
Flying from the US? Don’t worry — getting to and from the tour is easier than you might think.
The tour begins in Belfast at 4pm on Day 1. You have a couple of options for getting there:
✈️ Fly into Belfast International Airport
✈️ Fly into Dublin Airport and take public transport to Belfast. This is also a straightforward option and can work especially well if you find a better flight to Dublin.
Before your trip, I’ll send you clear arrival information and recommendations so you know exactly how to get to Belfast and where you need to be for the start of the tour.
The tour finishes in Enniscrone/Ballina on Day 8. Transport to the train station and your train to Dublin are included.
But you don’t necessarily have to return to Dublin! If you’d like to extend your Irish adventure after the tour, just let me know what you have in mind. I’m happy to suggest options for where to go next and the best way to get there.
Whether you want to spend a few extra days exploring the west coast, head south, visit Galway, or finish your trip in Dublin, I’m happy to help you plan the next part of your Irish adventure.
There is absolutely no prize for being first to the top! We’ll hike as a group and enjoy the scenery along the way. The pace will be appropriate for the group, with opportunities to stop, take photographs, catch your breath and enjoy the views. This isn’t a race. It’s a vacation.
I understand that everyone has good days and tired days. If you decide you need a break, let me know. Depending on the day’s itinerary and logistics, we’ll look at what options are available. That said, the hikes are a central part of this particular adventure, so you should be joining because you genuinely want to hike.
Welcome to Ireland! The weather is famously changeable, particularly along the Atlantic coast and in the mountains. Rain, wind, mist and sunshine can all make an appearance in the same day. We keep an eye on conditions and safety always comes first. If weather conditions make a planned hike unsuitable, the itinerary may need to change. The best thing you can do is come prepared for Irish weather — and embrace it. Some of Ireland’s most dramatic landscapes appear when the weather is doing its thing.
Good hiking footwear and waterproof clothing are essential. I recommend bringing comfortable hiking clothes, several pairs of hiking socks, a small daypack, a reusable water bottle, sun protection, a hat and gloves, and any personal medication or essentials you need. Layers are your friend. Irish weather has a habit of changing its mind! You’ll receive more detailed packing information before the tour.
Yes. A single-room supplement is available for guests who prefer their own room. Please enquire for the current single-room supplement and availability.
The tour price is based on two people sharing, so shared accommodation is part of the standard pricing. If you’re travelling alone and would prefer your own room, a single-room supplement is available on request. If you’re travelling with a friend or partner, we’ll of course do our best to accommodate your rooming arrangements.
f you’re travelling on your own and would like to share a room, select “Please pair me” when booking. We’ll do our best to match you with another solo traveller of the same gender who has also selected this option. A room share can only be arranged if another suitable traveller is available, so we cannot guarantee a match. If we’re unable to find a suitable match, we’ll contact you to discuss the available options.
Yes. All guests are required to have their own travel insurance that covers them for the full duration of the tour. We recommend choosing a policy that includes cover for medical expenses, cancellation, and activities included in your tour. Please make sure your policy is suitable for your individual circumstances and covers any activities you plan to take part in.
Interested in joining? Just send me a quick enquiry through the “Contact Me” form. I’ll get back to you personally, answer any questions you have, and we’ll take it from there. No complicated booking process — just a friendly chat to make sure the tour is right for you. Once everything is agreed, I’ll guide you through the final steps to secure your place.
