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Horseback riding tours
Rides in
Ireland
Intro to Ireland
 Connemara/GalwayDonegal Kerry Kilkenny Monaghan Offaly Sligo
Scotland
England
Wales
Europe Overview
Add Ons:
Hiking
Cycling
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Northern Shores Walk
Western Ireland
Ireland
Ireland Hiking and Walking Tour of the Giant s Causeway, Rathlin Island, Antrim and Louth Discover the enchanting Northern Shores of Ireland on this ingeniously designed trip. This hike is structured to ensure that you get the most of your trip including natural beauty and long standing Irish traditions. Come along for an experience you’ll not soon forget.
This hike takes you over the infamous Glens of Antrim, deigned an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, where you’ll find glacial valleys, sandy beaches, vertical cliffs, tundra plateau, boglands, wooded glens, coniferous forests, waterfalls and picturesque villages. We also explore Rathlin Island, an isle of prehistoric volcanic origin that is home to tens of thousands of seabirds. Rathlin Island is also historically important, as it was here that Robert I of Scotland saw the infamous spider that inspired him to keep fighting in 1305. He hid out in a cave among the island’s impressive cliffs that rise to 230 feet (70 m).
Along the way we also discover Giant’s Causeway, a group of unique rock formations that have stood for many years against ferocious Atlantic storms. These some 40,000 columns are a result of a volcanic eruption and were declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1987.
Not to be outdone by the outstanding nature, the working man’s history of Ireland will also be addressed in a visit to Bushmill’s Whiskey Distillery. It is believed that the troops of King Henry II drank Bushmills here some 400 years before it officially became a licensed distillery in 1608. Bushmills whiskey is produced, matured, and bottled onsite at this stop along our trek. Another feat of human determination is the Carrick-A-Rede rope bridge we’ll cross. This suspension bridge links the mainland to Carrick Island and is strung 30 metres above the rocks below.
Come and explore the beauty and history of the green isle on our Northern Shore Walk!
Tour Highlights
- 2 days in the Glens of Antrim
- Waterfalls in the Glens
- Walking at the Giant s Causeway
- 2 nights on Rathlin Island
- Birdwatching at the West Lighthouse
- A visit to Bushmills Whiskey Distillery
- Crossing the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge
- Traditional music in the pubs
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Rates and Dates for 2012
Rates include:
+ Dublin Airport pick-up and drop-off;
+ 6 nights 3-4 star accommodation (en suite);
+ All land transport;
+ Return ferry to Rathlin Island;
+ 6 guided walks;
+ Escort of full-time guide;
+ Escort of local guides;
+ Evening transportation to pubs / music;
+ 6 breakfasts;
+ 5 packed lunches;
+ 2 evening meal
| A | 2012 | 7 day trip | 7d / 6n | €1799 | $2415 |
| Single room supplement | €240 | $325 |
Group Leader - FREE with group of 8+
Transfer Option:
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2012
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Transfer from Dublin airport included at 1 PM - drop off 2 PM
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Arrival Dublin Airport 1pm
Return Dublin Airport 2pm
Tour Dates for 2012
Check here for details and availability
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| A |
2012
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05/01
- 05/07
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7d / 6n
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7 day trip
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4
/12
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Expired
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| A |
2012
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05/07
- 05/13
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7d / 6n
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7 day trip
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4
/12
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Expired
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| A |
2012
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05/26
- 06/01
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7d / 6n
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7 day trip
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4
/12
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Reserve
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| A |
2012
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06/20
- 06/26
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7d / 6n
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7 day trip
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4
/12
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Reserve
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| A |
2012
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07/29
- 08/04
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7d / 6n
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7 day trip
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4
/12
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Reserve
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| A |
2012
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08/20
- 08/26
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7d / 6n
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7 day trip
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4
/12
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Reserve
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| A |
2012
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08/27
- 09/02
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7d / 6n
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7 day trip
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4
/12
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Reserve
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| A |
2012
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09/18
- 09/24
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7d / 6n
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7 day trip
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4
/12
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Reserve
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| A |
2012
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10/02
- 10/08
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7d / 6n
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7 day trip
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4
/12
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Reserve
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Day 1 Walking Distance 2 miles (3.2 km)
You will be met with a warm welcome at Dublin
Airport. We will then drive north to the coast of County Antrim,
stopping en route for a break at the lovely town of Hillsborough. The
Antrim Coast has been designated an 'Area of Outstanding Natural
Beauty'.
We will be accommodated at a lovely guest house for the
next two nights with great views of Fair Head and the Antrim Coast.
After a short stroll along this breathtaking coast, we will meet
for dinner in Ballycastle.
Day 2 Walking Distance 7 miles (11.3 km)
On the agenda today is a spectacular walk along the
Antrim Coast starting from the Giant's Causeway and finishing at the
ruin of Dunseverick Castle. On a clear day you will be able to see right
across to Scotland. The Causeway is made up of 37,000 hexagonal black
basalt columns. It is the result of a massive underground explosion some
sixty million years ago. In 1693 the Royal Geographical Society
publicised it as one of the great wonders of the natural world.
As this is a linear walk I will drop you at the start
and pick you up at the end. You will be guided by Northern Ireland Blue
Badge Guide, Petra Herrmann.
Day 3 Walking Distance 7 miles (11.3 km)
Today we take the ferry out to Rathlin Island: the only
inhabited offshore island in Northern Ireland. Rathlin is only 15 miles
from the Scottish coast at the Mull of Kintyre. The ferry takes us in to
Church Bay and our guest house is right beside the harbour. We take a
trip out to the West Lighthouse: famed for it's bird life and home to
tens of thousands of seabirds, including kittiwakes, guillemots, puffins
and razorbills. Later we will walk down to Rue Point for a fine walk
beside lakes and down to see the seals at the southern shore. We return
later to our guest house to relax and enjoy an excellent meal, perhaps
with some locally caught seafood.
Day 4 Walking Distance 5 miles (8 km)
After leaving Rathlin Island on the early ferry, we
will make our way a few miles west along the Antrim coast to Bushmills
to visit the world's oldest legal distillery. Then a short walk will
take us down around the coast at the village of Ballintoy and to
Carrick-a-Rede: a tiny island with a salmon fishery, joined to the
mainland by a rope bridge, and back up via the harbour of Ballintoy.
Time permitting we may also be able to walk further along the coast at
Murlough Bay. We will then turn inland and southward to the village of
Cushendall. Our next two nights will be spent at a lovely, friendly and
welcoming B & B on the edge of the village. Cushendall is located
where three of the Glens of Antrim converge and lies in the shadow of
Lurigethan Mountain.
Day 5 Walking Distance 7 miles (11.3 km)
Today we visit the Glens of Antrim: a region of
County Antrim, comprising nine waterfall-strewn glens, or valleys, that
radiate from the Antrim Plateau to the coast. Specifically we will hike
at Glenarriff Forest Park (in Irish:Gleann Airimh, ie 'valley of arable
land'). Like all the valleys in the area, it was shaped during the Ice
Age by a glaciers. Glenarriff is often referred to as the 'Queen Of the
Glens' and is the largest and most popular of the Glens of Antrim. Our
guide will take us on a delightful walk which comprises of native
forest, open heath and moor land, quiet streams and of course, the
famous waterfalls.
Day 6 Walking Distance 8 miles (12.9 km)
Today we travel south to County Louth and our last
hike is at Black Mountain in the Cooley Hills. We will find mysterious
stone circles along our route and learn of the legend of the Cattle Raid
of Cooley. From the ridge the views across Carlingford Lough are
stunning.
We then drive a short distance to Carlingford village,
back in the Republic of Ireland. Carlingford lies in the shadow of
Slieve Foye and is a former fishing village filled with ancient ruins,
one of Ireland's little secrets.
Day 7 We should have some time for souvenir shopping around Carlingford this morning before our drive back to Dublin.
Meeting:
Dublin
Airport:
Dublin
Transfer:
Dublin
Arrival Dublin Airport 1pm
Return Dublin Airport 2pm
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Tack:
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Horses:
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Pace:
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Level:
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(2
to
3
out of 5)
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Riders:
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Min
4 riders
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Max
12 riders
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This holiday, guided by someone who really knows and cares for Ireland,
is the best way to see this enchanting country; imagine yourself hiking
(or walking) over Irish mountains, pausing by Irish lakes, drinking in
Irish pubs and listening to traditional Irish music.
These hiking trips show you the best of Ireland, its picturesque scenery, the grandeur of its mountains, the warmth and hospitality of its people and the magic of their music. Call it an Irish walking holiday; a hiking vacation in Ireland; even a sabbatical - maybe you're researching Ireland, perhaps for a thesis or book; or perhaps you want to see the Ireland of your Irish ancestors. Call it any or all of these, but treat yourself to a tour of Erin's Isle anyway.
Our hiking tours of Ireland are fully escorted by experienced,
professional guides. We travel through Ireland in groups of no more than
twelve people. We will escort you on hikes through Ireland's most
scenic trails, walk through undiscovered routes lined with extraordinary
vistas.
Ireland has a lot to offer the walker: dramatic sea cliffs, high mountain ridges, quiet green roads, butter roads, fuchsia-lined lanes, heath and moorland, sweeping expanses of beach. And then there are the sleepy villages, oak woods, sky-blue lakes, torrential waterfalls and babbling brooks.
Ireland's climate ideally suits the walker as generally it rarely gets too hot to be uncomfortable. Rain and cloud-formations are what bring the interesting light patterns and rainbows. The Western coast and islands are known for magnificent sunsets.
Don't be surprised at the very few people you will meet whilst walking, after all, the entire population of Ireland is only around four million! Ireland is a birdwatcher's paradise with many rarities such as the corncrake. It is also a great place for botanists, especially the area of the Burren, Co. Clare.
Maybe the best attraction of all is the people, you'll never find another place like it for hospitality, friendliness, warmth, generosity, humor, love of life and love of the land.
Passport and Visa Requirements:
Passports Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by all except: (a) 1. persons born in the UK travelling direct from the UK (applicable to British passport holde. more
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*Important Notice: The following ratings have been submitted by guests and do not necessarily represent the views of Hidden Trails, its partners or employees.
Every care is taken to ensure accuracy but Hidden Trails is not liable for any errors or omissions.
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..view other reports for different trips
6 nights 3-4 star accommodation (en suite)
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Tack:
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Horses:
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Pace:
|
|
|
|
Level:
|
|
(2
to
3
out of 5)
|
|
Riders:
|
|
Min
4 riders
|
Max
12 riders
|
|
This holiday, guided by someone who really knows and cares for Ireland,
is the best way to see this enchanting country; imagine yourself hiking
(or walking) over Irish mountains, pausing by Irish lakes, drinking in
Irish pubs and listening to traditional Irish music.
These hiking trips show you the best of Ireland, its picturesque scenery, the grandeur of its mountains, the warmth and hospitality of its people and the magic of their music. Call it an Irish walking holiday; a hiking vacation in Ireland; even a sabbatical - maybe you're researching Ireland, perhaps for a thesis or book; or perhaps you want to see the Ireland of your Irish ancestors. Call it any or all of these, but treat yourself to a tour of Erin's Isle anyway.
Our hiking tours of Ireland are fully escorted by experienced,
professional guides. We travel through Ireland in groups of no more than
twelve people. We will escort you on hikes through Ireland's most
scenic trails, walk through undiscovered routes lined with extraordinary
vistas.
Ireland has a lot to offer the walker: dramatic sea cliffs, high mountain ridges, quiet green roads, butter roads, fuchsia-lined lanes, heath and moorland, sweeping expanses of beach. And then there are the sleepy villages, oak woods, sky-blue lakes, torrential waterfalls and babbling brooks.
Ireland's climate ideally suits the walker as generally it rarely gets too hot to be uncomfortable. Rain and cloud-formations are what bring the interesting light patterns and rainbows. The Western coast and islands are known for magnificent sunsets.
Don't be surprised at the very few people you will meet whilst walking, after all, the entire population of Ireland is only around four million! Ireland is a birdwatcher's paradise with many rarities such as the corncrake. It is also a great place for botanists, especially the area of the Burren, Co. Clare.
Maybe the best attraction of all is the people, you'll never find another place like it for hospitality, friendliness, warmth, generosity, humor, love of life and love of the land.
Passports
Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by all except:
(a) 1. persons born in the UK travelling direct from the UK (applicable to British passport holders only).
Note: Whilst UK citizens do not require a passport or visa to enter Ireland, most carriers by air or sea now require some form of identification with photograph, usually a passport or driving licence with photo. Visitors should check what form of ID is required with the individual airline, ferry company or travel agent before travelling.
(b) 2. EU nationals holding a valid national ID card.
Note: EU nationals are only required to produce evidence of their EU nationality and identity in order to be admitted to any EU Member State. This evidence can take the form of a valid national passport or national identity card. Either is acceptable. Possession of a return ticket, any length of validity on their document, sufficient funds for the length of their proposed visit should not be imposed.
Passport Note
3. Imposition of a return ticket as a condition of entry is at the discretion of the Immigration Officer at point of entry.
Visas
Not required by all nationals referred to in the chart above for the following durations:
(a) nationals of EU countries for an unlimited period (nationals of EU countries wishing to stay for longer than three months must register with the Garda National Immigration Bureau).
(b) nationals of Australia, Canada and the USA for stays of up to 90 days.
Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements
| Passport Required? |
| British |
1 |
| Australian |
Yes |
| Canadian |
Yes |
| USA |
Yes |
| Other EU |
2 |
| Visa Required? |
| British |
No |
| Australian |
No |
| Canadian |
No |
| USA |
No |
| Other EU |
No |
| Return Ticket Required? |
| British |
No |
| Australian |
3 |
| Canadian |
3 |
| USA |
3 |
| Other EU |
No |
This information is not being updated on a regular basis. Hidden Trails does not
take any responsibility for the accuracy of the above information. Please, consult
the embassy or consulate for updated info.
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