Hillwalking and surfing in Bundoran
Hillwalking in the Northwest of Ireland provides some of the most magical experiences that walking in Ireland can give you. You get to experience the Flora & Fauna, Bog lands, Geology, History & Folklore of some Irelands most unspoiled counties. Their unique mix of breathtaking coastal scenery, rugged hills and stone-age archaeology, make one of the most interesting walking areas in all of Europe. Transport to and from Bundoran and your qualified mountain guide are included in the price. You just need the right clothes and footwear, and a packed lunch. Combine your hill walking with some of the best surfing in the world and you have a great package.
We are offering a fully inclusive package of 5 nights B&B in Bundoran Surf Lodge, 5 fully guided hill walks with transport, and 5 surf lessons with all equipment included on the following dates in 2013:
August 18th – 23rd
September 1st – 6th
Price: €325pps dorm rooms. €350pps private rooms (based on 2-3 sharing).
Details: Arrive Sunday, depart Friday. Surfing at 10am each morning, hillwalking each afternoon at 2pm.
It is also possible to stay extra nights and do extra walking and surfing – just let us know and we can get you a price.
There is a walk every Saturday (the day after the end of the above package dates) that is open to all and the cost is €30pp including guide and transport. Booking essential.
Below is a selection of some of the most popular walks in the area:
1/ SLIEVE LEAGUE (Mountain of the Flagstones 601 Meters 1972ft)
The sea cliffs of Slieve League brood over the South Donegal Coast and are dramatic sight. The walk starts at Bunglass proceeds over “Eagles Nest” and on over “One Man’s Pass”(so named because of the narrow path to the summit).We return via the remains of St Hugh MacBricks Church along the pilgrims path pass the holy well and back to base. Distance 10Km time 4 – 6hours
2/BENBULBEN PLATEAU
Ben Bulben, the fearsome and famous landmark of Sligo immortalised by Ireland’s foremost poet William Butler Yates, with the lines “Under bare Ben Bulben’s head”. The mountain presents a formidable prospect from the nearby lowlands with its stern vertically furrowed cliffs above steeply sloping grass. Surprisingly it is quite a moderate walk once the crest is reached and it offers fantastic views of the coastline and Innis Murray Island.
Length of Walk 6/km. Time 3- 4 hours. Degree of difficulty moderate
3/ THE SUMMIT OF TRUSKMORE AND TIEVEBAUN
These 2 peaks are the highest points in Counties Sligo and Leitrim and are quite close to each other. The summit of Truskmore (647meters) is reached by a road that services a radio mast, the mast was erected by a Norwegian company in 1962 and is over 100 meters high. Tievebaun is reached by following the boundary wall that divides Sligo and Leitrim. A slight diversion to the west reveals the wreck of a B17 World War 2 Bomber that crashed here in December 1943. Descent from the summit of Tievebaun is by way of an old mule track that was once used for bringing turf from the mountains to the valley below.
Length of walk 9Km, Time 4 – 5 hours, Degree of difficulty moderate.
4/ The Breesy Mountain Circuit
A fairly easy walk encompassing lakes, woodlands, and hills, also visiting a Megolithic Tomb and a Mass Rock. The walk begins at the Traveler’s Friend a well known Public House. About 2 Kms on we pass a megalithic tomb dating back to over 4000 years. Several lakes are passed until Bressy Mountain is reached, though only 258 Meters in height some fantastic views are offered from the summit. The Blue Stack mountains in the North, cliffs of Magho and Lough Erne in the east, Ben Bulben and Knocknarea in the south and the vast expanse of Donegal Bay in West. Further on there is a Mass Rock where the locals said Mass in Penal Times, the walk then meanders through the Knader woodlands pass the Hydro Electric dam at Cloghore to terminate at the historical town of Ballyshannon.
Length of walk 10 Km, Time 4 – 5 hours Degree of difficulty Easy
