Ards Peninsula: Diverse Trails Private Walking Tour

"Explore beautiful woodlands, golden beaches, sand dunes and saltwater lakes in Ireland's most diverse recreational park."

A visit to Ards Forest Park will reward you at any time of the year. The park covers approximately 480 hectares (1200 acres) and includes a variety of habitats, among them;

Sand Dunes Beaches

Salt Marshes Salt Water Lakes

Rock Faces Coniferous & Deciduous Woodlands

With such a variety of landscapes, it is easily possible to spend the entire day exploring this wonderful park. The sea is one of the real treasures of this forest park and there are several trails, the Binngorm trail, the Salt Marsh Trail and the Sand Dune Trail, which offers you an opportunity to experience it in all its facets. There are a large number of trails in this park giving you the opportunity to explore a variety of habitats from foreshore and sand dunes to semi natural oak woodlands on rock outcrops. By “stitching together” a number of trails, it is possible to hike for 6 or even 7 hours on forest tracks and trails, taking in the full circuit of the park. The park is also home to a wide selection of animals and birds and the special hide at the end of the salt marsh trail allows the visitor to watch our winter visitors feed on the salt marsh. For those interested in human history, there are a number of historical and archaeological features. There are the remains of four ring forts together with a holy well and a mass rock. I'll be happy to tell you all about the history of these curious features.

Pick Up Locations: Derry/Londonderry, Donegal, Ardara, Glenties, Letterkenny, Strabane, Ramelton, Ballybofey, Stranorlar, and anywhere in between.

Including transport to and from your hotel or pick up point of your choosing in Derry, Strabane or county Donegal, you'll travel in style and comfort to the trail car park where you'll be given high-visibility vests and Nordic sticks if desired. You will receive an orientation briefing prior to commencing the walk. After that, follow my lead and enjoy the incredible sights and sounds of the Ards Forest Park while hearing about the history, mythology, ecology, culture and 'craic' of the local area.

Although this is a full day tour, the average hiking time is around 4-5 hours. It can be done in 3 hours if you're in a hurry or 6 hours depending on how many photo stops you'd like to take along the way and if you decide to pack a lunch. Afterwards, I'll drive you to one of several lunch stop options and then show you some hidden gems in the area. If you still have energy for a further stroll, a trip to the castle and grounds of Glenveagh National Park is the perfect way to unwind after an exciting morning's hiking. This day tour is flexible in that you can opt to go sightseeing in the morning and hike Ards Forest Park in the afternoon if you'd prefer.

View of Muckish from Ards Salt Marsh Trail

Prices:

Meet You There: 2.5-3 Hour Tour

€90 per person (Minimum of 2 guests, €50 per additional guest)

2.5-3 Hour Tour plus Transport to and from Accommodation

€375.00 (based on a group of 1-4 people)

€455.00 (based on a group of 5-7 people)

Full Day Tour Rate

€520.00 (based on a group of 1-4 people)

€600.00 (based on a group of 5-7 people)

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Alternative Walking Day-Tour Options

Summit Mount Errigal: Private Hillwalking Tour

"With it's monumental summit, ascending this extinct volcano will impress in clear skies or shrouded in mist."

The finest mountain in the Northwest of Ireland, Mount Errigal has recently undergone extensive development meaning that hikers now have a firm path to walk on, leaving more headspace to take in the intense vistas it offers. It also means that the surrounding peatland is no longer being eroded by boots and one can clearly see the flora of the terrain recovering after just a couple of years. Another beauty of these development is that Mount Errigal is now more accessible to a wider range of skill and fitness levels.

Glenveagh National Park: Private Walking Tour

"the Bridle Path is food for the soul"

Available Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays, and including transport to and from your hotel or pick up point of your choosing in Derry, Strabane or County Donegal, you'll travel in style and comfort to the Glenveagh National Park car park for 10am where you'll be given high-visibility vests and Nordic sticks if desired. We'll then take the park shuttle bus on a pleasant 25 minute drive around the Derryveagh Mountains to the Bridle Path starting point. You will receive an orientation briefing prior to commencing the walk. After that, follow my lead on this 8km trail and enjoy the incredible sights and sounds of the Glenveagh National Park's less frequented side while hearing about the history, mythology, ecology, culture and 'craic' of the local area.

Donegal Way: Multi-Day Private Hillwalking Tours

"Lose your mind and find your soul"

If you'd like to see the best of Donegal's walking trails, why not consider a Donegal Way: Multi-Day Private Hillwalking Tour. On this excursion, you can choose the pace, level and number of hours walking that you wish to do. You get to enjoy incredible scenery combining old favorites with lesser known walks which lead you to unique features.

A trip to Donegal would not be the same if it didn't involve putting on a pair of walking boots, grabbing a pair of hiking sticks and heading off along one of the county’s endless trails.