The Western Way – Ireland

Self Guided Walk on the Western Way and Connemara

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Options and Cost:

5 Day – €517 pps Single supplement: + €195
7 Day – €643 pps Single supplement: + €275
8 Day – €698 pps Single supplement: + €315
8 Day with Islands Special – €875 pps SS: + €315

Select the number of days you wish to walk while booking.

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Tour Description

The Western Way – Ireland.

The Western Way is a long distance trail that travels through Connemara in the West of Ireland to County Mayo. The trail traditionally starts in the small town Oughterard which is next to Lough Corrib just about 30Km north of Galway city.

The Western Way trail crosses some very remote and beautiful parts of Connemara. The trail makes it’s way along the shores of Lough Corrib towards Maam and by Lough Inagh to Leenaun. From here it passes into county Mayo and eventually finishing up at the colourful seaside town of Westport

We offer a choice of walking on the Western Way to Leenaun from Oughterard over 5 days walking making it very manageable and then the option of continuing on towards Westport on our 7 or 8 day self guided option.

The Western Way trail is a mix of small roads, board walks, forest track and mountain side trails.

Connemara is known for its outstanding beauty and wonderful barren landscape. The mountains although they are not very high, they are very impressive with their bare rock grey stone summits against the soft green beneath them.

Itineraries

Self Guided Walk on the Western Way in Ireland

(The distances below may vary slightly due to accommodation locations.)

5 Day Western Way / Connemara – Oughterard to Leenaun

Day 1: Arrive in Oughterard
Day 2: Oughterard – Maam Cross – 21km , approx. 5 hours, elevation 115m
Day 3: Maam Valley – Lough Inagh – 15km , 5 hours, ascent 300m
Day 4: Lough Inagh to Leenane – 15km, 4 hours, ascent 100m
Day 5: Depart Leenaun

Cost: €517 per person sharing
Single supplement: €195

7 Day Western Way / Connemara – Oughterard to Westport

Day 1: Arrive in Oughterard
Day 2: Oughterard – Maam Cross – 21km , approx. 5 hours, ascent 115m
Day 3: Maam Valley – Lough Inagh -15km, 5 hours, ascent 300m
Day 4: Lough Inagh to Leenane – 15km, 4 hours, ascent 100m
Day 5 Leenane – Drummin -18km, 4-5 hours, ascent 570m
Day 6: Drummin – Westport – 22km, 4-5 hours, ascent 390m
Day 7: Depart Westport

Cost: €643 per person sharing
Single supplement: €275

8 Day Western Way / Connemara – Oughterard to Westport (Rest Day Leenaun)

Day 1: Arrive in Oughterard
Day 2: Oughterard – Maam Cross – 21km , approx. 5 hours, ascent 115m
Day 3: Maam Valley – Lough Inagh -15km, 5 hours, ascent 300m
Day 4: Lough Inagh to Leenane – 15km, 4 hours, ascent 100m
Day 5: Rest day in Leenaun
Day 6: Leenane – Drummin -18km, 4-5 hours, ascent 570m
Day 7: Drummin – Westport – 22km, 4-5 hours, ascent 390m
Day 8: Depart Westport

Cost: €698 per person sharing
Single supplement: €315

8 Day Western Way – Connemara – Islands Special

Day 1: Arrive in Galway and get Ferry to Inis Mor (Aran Islands)
Day 2: Full Day Inis Mor – choice of Walks
Day 3: Ferry back and Taxi: Walk Oughterard – Maam Cross 21km , approx. 5 hours, ascent 115m
Day 4: Maam Valley – Lough Inagh 15km , 5 hours, ascent 300m
Day 5: Lough Inagh to Leenane 15km, 5 hours, ascent 100m
Day 6: Transfer by Taxi from Leenane to Cleggan for ferry crossing to Inishbofin
Day 7: Full day Inishbofin – Choice of walks
Day 8: Departure from Inishbofin by Ferry to Cleggan

Cost: €875 per person sharing
Single supplement: €315

What to Bring

Here is a short list of extras you will need to bring along for this walking holiday.

N.B. Ireland’s climate is of a moderate type and suited to walking all year round. Although it is quite changeable so starting a walk on a fine clear morning may not be the case for the afternoon.

Good Walking boots
Walking Trousers, (Not Jeans).
Walking Socks with lining.
Raingear,
Backpack, (25L)
Good walking Jacket,
Hat and Gloves
Insect Repellent
Sun Cream
Torch

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions about the Western Way:

Q. How do we get to the Start of the walk?

A. All the information to get you to the start of your walk will be given to you, ie, bus times, train times etc. We can also organise a transfer for you from Airports or accommodations.

Q. What about the walks and fitness levels?

A. The terrain of this walk is from forest tracks, to open hillside, old roads, country lanes, beaches and Irish Bog.

The walks are generally of a moderate level with approx 15 – 20Km per day walk.
It is possible to have your day shortened by letting us know and we can organise transfers to shorten the walk for you

Q What is the Accommodation like?

A. We use a mix of Guesthouses on these Self Guided Walks as we believe they give you a more personal service and many of them will provide you with a packed lunch and a hearty breakfast before you start your day. They are also locals to the area and know the best places for music, food and drink.

We choose our accommodation very carefully and have known the owners for many years now and have built up a close relationship with them
We can depend on these accommodations to give you the best service and assistance with any queries you may have.
The accommodation providers are well used to guests arriving after a day’s walk and know that they want somewhere comfortable to relax and freshen up.
They are all fully qualified and recognised accommodations with Tourism Ireland

Q What is the food in Ireland like and where would we get evening meals?

A. In many of the towns along the way, there is a choice of restaurant or Pub (Pub cuisine in Ireland is fantastic now with a wide variety of food at a high quality in most).

Breakfasts are included and there is a wide selection to choose from including a Full Irish, fruit, cereals, breads etc.
Lunches for the walks: Some of the accommodations may provide a packed lunch for you. If not they will let you know of a close by Deli or shop where you can have one made up the way you would like it.
Evening Meals In most towns there are restaurants and Pubs. that you can choose from.
Dietary requests such as Vegetarians or Gluten free can be catered for with prior notice, although many locations in Ireland are well used to specific foods .

Q. Can we have our luggage transferred each day?

A. Yes your luggage is transferred each day and will be at your next accommodation before your arrival. So you can shower and freshen up quickly after arriving

Included in costs

Friendly and family run guest Houses and B+B’s (Irish Tourism Board Approved)
Breakfasts each morning with a wide selection to choose from.
Detailed maps, Water Proof Map Cover
The Western Way Book with interesting facts of areas visited and route descriptions.
Luggage Transfer each day.
Phone support along the way.(Accommodations and pickup numbers)
All Information on public transport required will be given.
For the Islands Special your Ferry tickets and taxis are included

Optional Extras:

Transfers for first and last days can be arranged.
Extra nights before and after your walk

Cancellation Policy:

Note: There is no cancellation fee for any cancellations due to COVID travel restrictions.

A cancellation fee of 100% applies for cancellations made less than 2 weeks in advance, or in case of no-show.
A cancellation fee of 50% applies for cancellations made less than 4 weeks in advance.
No cancellation fee applies for cancellations made 4 weeks or more in advance.

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