Adventure Tour of Ireland & Scotland

Highland Wilderness Hill Walking in Scotland and Ireland

14 days - contact us for dates and pricing

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Sliabh Laeg, Co. Donegal Intrepid hill walkers will enjoy this excursion across the Highlands of northwest Ireland and Scotland. Our trip begins in Ireland for hill walking in Donegal. One highlight of the Irish adventure is trekking overland to One Man's Pass on Sliabh Laeg, the highest sea cliffs in Europe. After five days in Ireland, we head to Scotland for the next "leg" of our hiking tour.

The Sliabh Laeg Penninsula, with its unique mix of breathtaking coastal scenery, rugged hills and stone-age archaeology is one of the most interesting walking areas in Europe. Highlights include the walk North, over the hills, past the Napoleonic watchtower to Port, a deserted village on the edge of the wild Atlantic Ocean. The cliff scenery on the return route is unforgettable. Part of this route (The Tower Walk) is one of a number of Loop walks that are promoted by Tourism Ireland as being of special interest and attraction.

In Scotland, this hiking tour will take you to some of the most beautiful regions of the Highlands. The group will hike to one of Scotland's highest waterfalls, explore Cairngorms National Park, and take a spectacular boat trip into the heart of the Cuillin Mountains in Skye. We will also visit Loch Ness, a Speyside whisky distillery, and beautiful Eilean Donan Castle in Kintail. This tour offers a fascinating insight into the life, culture, rich history and beautiful scenery of the Scottish Highlands.

Detailed Itinerary - Ireland

Day 1 - Arrive in Dublin
Drive to Gleann Cholm Chille, Co. Donegal and get settled in to our accommodations.

Day 2 - Day 5
The walk South to Glen Malin provides the opportunity to visit a 5,000 year old court tomb with mysterious, stone age, spiral carvings and 4,000 year old portal dolmens. Not surprisingly, this beautiful area has attracted numerous artists and writers over the years, and the coastal walk to Gleann Lách passes the ruined cottage where Dylan Thomas stayed in 1935. This remote glen, only accessible on foot, was also the home in 1926 of American artist Rockwell Kent and he completed some of his most recognizable works here.

The peninsula is still rich in wildlife, and the Ros Eoin coastal walk (called Rossan Point on the national weather forecast) gives the opportunity to see sea otters, seals, dolphins, Irish hares, foxes, choughs and a host of sea birds including oyster catchers and tern.

The seven beautiful lakes on Cruach a'Chuillin are one of the area's many hidden treasures and it is rare to see anyone else on this atmospheric day-walk.The three summits of Sliabh a'Tuaidh make a fine circular walk and provide outstanding views of the rugged Donegal coastline, all the way up to Aranmore Island and Bloody Foreland. The highlight of the week's walking is undoubtedly Sliabh Liag, which has the highest marine cliffs in Europe. In order to see this spectacular peak to its fullest extent, transport is arranged to Bunglas at the Eastern end of the hills and the group walk the entire length of the cliffs and ridge, via the summit, to the village of Malin Beg. This must rate as the most dramatic and beautiful walk in the whole of Ireland and people return again and again to Glencolmcille and Oideas Gael to enjoy it once more.

Detailed Itinerary - Scotland

Day 6 - Travel to Scotland; Troon to Fort William
The group is met in Troon and travels north through Glencoe to Fort William, where we spend the night in a Guest House or small hotel. The group is free to dine in any of Fort William's many restaurants that evening, and our guide will be able to make recommendations.

Day 7 - The Falls of Glomach and Kintail
Following a drive north to Kintail, we enjoy a hike through the mountains to one of the highest waterfalls in Scotland. Red deer are often seen on this hike and sometimes golden eagles too. As we arrive in Kintail, we stop at Eilean Donan Castle, which is spectacularly situated on a small island on Loch Duich, surrounded by mountains. Overnight in a small hotel in Kintail.
(16km/10 miles, 6 hours)

Day 8 - Hiking Through the Isle of Skye
We go over the Skye bridge then take a small boat to Loch Coruisk in the heart of the Cuillin mountains. We spend an hour at remote Loch Coruisk before returning on the boat to the coach. A short coastal hike, looking out for otters, completes the day. Overnight in a small hotel in Kintail.
(5km/3 miles, 2 hours)

to Skye

Day 9 - Loch Ness and the Cairngorms
Departing from Kintail after breakfast, we drive east through the Highlands, to Loch Ness. We have a short stop here with the option of spending time at the Visitor Centre and Urquart Castle. We continue to the Cairngorms, where we enjoy a short hike round Loch an Eilean. Overnight in a small hotel in Cairngorms.
(5km/3 miles, 2 hours)

Day 10 - The Forests of Abernethy
The beautiful Abernethy Forest is a haven for all sorts of wildlife but is famed for the ospreys nesting around Loch Garten. Our relaxing day will explore the Abernethy forest, keeping a look out for a glimpse of the local residents, such as red squirrels and black grouse. Later that day, we will visit a local distillery. Overnight in a small hotel in Cairngorms.
(10km / 6 miles, 5 hours)

Day 11 - Meall a Buachaille via Ryvoan Bothy and the Angel's Lochan
This short ascent affords fine vistas of the main plateau of the Cairngorms where we have spend most of our week. Descending eastwards, we pass the poetic Ryvoan bothy and the beautiful emerald-colored Angel's Lochan, tucked in amongst the Scots Pines. Overnight in a small hotel in Cairngorms.
(10km/6 miles, 5 hours)

Day 12 - Return to Ireland

Day 13 - Return to the U.S.

Notes:
The above itinerary is the intended program. The order of daily hikes/activities may be amended and alternative routes may be selected at the guide's discretion, in case of adverse weather conditions, trail conditions, or other factors.

Hikes on this tour are graded as 'Easy - Moderate'. Hikes may take up to 6 hours. They cover mostly straightforward paths and trails, although some may be rough, muddy, or rocky underfoot. All routes that we follow on this itinerary are considered well within the capabilities of the regular walker, with ascents up to 2000ft/600m.

"Our guide's intimate knowledge of the region and its wildlife made the excursion particularly enjoyable. His enthusiasm for the hills and remote regions of Scotland is contagious!"

Jacqui Phillips - Wilderness Walking 2005

Our friends and partners at Wilderness Scotland offer many more possibilities for guided or self-guided adventure tours. The leading adventure tour operator in Scotland, they are the winners of the 2005 VisitScotland Tourism Business of the Year award. More information

Optional three-day excursions to Dublin and/or Edinburgh and environs (or to any other Irish or Scottish city or region) can be added to any of our scheduled tours. Please contact us for details.

Rising Road Tours
828-648-8893 (Tel) ~ 888-648-8893 (Toll-free) ~ 888-371-8895 (fax)
sam@risingroadtours.com

P.O.Box 9322, Moscow, ID 83843 USA