The Connemara Way Guided Trail in Ireland

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7 nights accommodation

One itinerary available

Half Board

Grades 4 details

419kg CO2 details

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With the Atlantic Ocean to the west and Lough Corrib forming a watery border to the east, Connemara feels wonderfully wild and remote. Follow the full Connemara Way across the counties of Galway and Mayo, crossing a landscape of sparkling lakes, rugged coastline and purple-hued moors beneath the Maumturks and Twelve Bens mountain ranges. Guided by an experienced HF Leader, everyone walks the same route each day, tackling longer, more challenging sections together. By the end of the week, you’ll have completed the entire trail on a rewarding journey through one of Ireland’s most starkly beautiful regions.


Walking grades and options

This trip is graded level 4.


What You’ll Love

  • Exploring sections of the Wild Atlantic Way 

  • Admiring the stark coastal beauty of Connemara  

  • Winding your way through landscapes that have inspired writers such as Oscar Wilde & W.B.Yeats 

  • Walking part of the pilgrimage route passing Ireland’s holy mountain, Croagh Patrick 

  • Sharing the experience with a group of like-minded walkers 

  • A more personalised experience thanks to small group sizes (maximum 15 people) 


What's Included

  • Comfortable en-suite rooms in our partner accommodation 

  • Cooked or continental breakfast every morning  

  • Daily packed lunches 

  • Three-course evening meals, plus tea & coffee   

  • Guided walks with an experienced HF Holidays Leader 

  • All transport to and from walks where necessary  

  • Return flights from London Heathrow, including baggage and transfers 


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Itinerary

All our carefully-curated itineraries are designed by our experts. While we make every effort to adhere to the described itinerary, we may take alternative routes or adapt the running order for weather and/or operational reasons.

Itinerary

Welcome to Delphi Resort. Unpack, settle in and meet your fellow group members and leader before dinner. 

Our first walk provides the perfect introduction to Connemara as the scenery gradually changes from gentle countryside to wilder, more rugged landscapes that have remained largely unchanged for generations. 

Starting near the south-western shores of Lough Corrib – one of western Europe’s great lakes – we walk through the townland of Curraun More, cross the Owenree River and continue through Folore Forest. Joining the Maam Road, we’re rewarded with our first impressive views of the Connemara mountains. 

15 miles (24km) with 900 feet (280m) of ascent

Today’s walk passes the location made famous by the film The Quiet Man before leading us into the increasingly dramatic and remote landscapes of the Maumturk Mountains. 

We follow an ancient pilgrim path that climbs gradually through Maumeen, passing St Patrick’s Church and Holy Well. According to local legend, St Patrick rested here on his journey to Croagh Patrick, Ireland’s best-known holy mountain. 

Crossing the spine of the Maumturks rewards us with superb views in every direction – back across the Maam Valley and ahead towards the distinctive peaks of the Twelve Bens. We then descend into the beautiful Inagh Valley, overlooking Lough Inagh and its scattered islands. 

Please note: This is the most challenging walk of the holiday and is one grade higher than the overall holiday grade. Easier walking follows on the remaining days. 

16 miles (26km) with 1,850 feet (580m) of ascent 

Following the lower slopes of the Maumturk Mountains, our trail passes the remains of long-abandoned settlements. Uninhabited since the Great Famine of the 1840s, this remote landscape offers a real sense of peace and solitude. 

As we descend towards Leenane, spectacular views open across Killary Harbour – Ireland’s only true fjord and one of the country’s most dramatic natural landmarks. We finish in the picturesque village of Leenane, nestled on the fjord’s southern shore. 

10 miles (16km) with 800 feet (260m) of ascent

Enjoy a free day to relax at Delphi Resort or explore more of the surrounding area at your own pace.

Leaving Leenane, we continue towards the head of Killary Harbour before crossing into County Mayo. Our trail passes through remote countryside shaped by generations of traditional sheep farming, with the imposing Sheeffry Hills rising above us. 

As we make our way through this rugged landscape, we’re rewarded with sweeping views across the Erriff Valley and final glimpses of the Connemara mountains behind us. 

13 miles (21km) with 900 feet (280m) of ascent

Our final walk takes us beneath Croagh Patrick, Ireland’s holy mountain. Thousands of pilgrims climb to its summit each year – some traditionally making the ascent barefoot – but our route continues along the Western Way towards Clew Bay. 

Reaching the characterful harbour town of Westport brings our walking journey to a fitting close. There should be time to raise a glass together and celebrate completing the trail. 

14 miles (23km) with 1,350 feet (420m) of ascent

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before making your way home. 

Daily Walk Options

Grade 4

Medium Walks

Long distances in remote countryside and on rough terrain. You can expect some sustained ascents and descents; there may be occasional sections of scree and steep ground.

Accommodation

More Information

Vaccinations & health information EU NEW 2026

Before booking, you should check with your doctor to see whether any health precautions are needed for your trip. Health advice and requirements can change, so we recommend doing this in good time before travel.

As a general rule, travellers should ensure they are up to date with routine UK vaccinations and boosters, including, for example, MMR and diphtheria, tetanus and polio. Some countries may require you to have specific vaccinations such as Malaria, Rabies and Yellow Fever. Please check with your GP if you are unsure.

Please note that the use or possession of some common prescription or over-the-counter medicines is restricted or banned in certain countries. If you will be carrying medication, you should check with the relevant embassy or consulate before travelling. As an extra precaution, we recommend keeping medication in its original packaging, carrying a copy of your prescription, and, where possible, asking your pharmacist to provide the medication name in the language of the country you are visiting.

For further country-specific health advice, visit www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk or www.traveldoctor.co.uk. If you are travelling from outside the UK, please consult your own doctor and check local entry requirements.

 

Passport & Visa information - SHARED FOR ALL EU NEW 2026

This information is for those travelling with a full ‘British Citizen’ passport; for all other nationalities or passport holders, please check with your local consulate for advice.

Passport Requirements

This information applies to travellers holding a full British Citizen passport. Entry requirements vary by destination and can change at short notice. For most EU and worldwide destinations, passports must be valid for the entire duration of your stay. Some countries also require a minimum period of validity remaining on your passport (often up to 6 months beyond your return date), even if you are not staying that long.
We strongly recommend ensuring your passport has at least six months’ validity remaining at the time of travel to avoid any issues.

If you hold a different type of British passport or a passport issued by another country, you must check the requirements with the relevant embassy, consulate, or official government website.

Visa Requirements

Visa rules depend on your nationality, destination, length of stay, and purpose of travel, and they can change frequently. It is your responsibility to check whether you require a visa before travelling.
British passport holders should check the latest entry, passport validity and visa requirements for their destination on the UK government’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) website:
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice

 

 

Packing list - Overseas Guided Walking

It's best to be prepared for all weather conditions. To make it easier, here is a list of items you should consider packing.   

Essentials  

  • Walking boots 
  • Waterproof jacket 
  • Waterproof trousers 
  • Insulated jacket/top 
  • Walking clothing  
  • Walking socks (plus spares)  
  • Sunhat 
  • Gloves/mitts and warm hat
  • Water bottle (minimum 2 litre capacity)  
  • Headtorch 
  • High-factor sunscreen (minimum SPF 30)  
  • Sunglasses with a dark lens 
  • Rucksack (15-30 litres)  
  • Mobile phone 
  • Personal first aid kit (containing your medication, blister plasters, etc.) 
  • Passport 
  • Visa (if applicable) 
  • Copy of your travel insurance policy 
  • UK Global Health Insurance Card (formerly known as EHIC

Recommended

  • Collapsible walking poles 
  • Swimwear and travel towel
  • Snacks
  • Dry bags
  • Rubbish bags
  • Insect repellent

Optional extras

  • Camera 
  • Sit mat
  • Flask for hot drinks 
  • Durable lunch box
  • Gaiters 
  • GPS device (excluding Bhutan, Georgia and India)

With flights EU & WW

Book your holiday ‘with flights’ and you can choose to depart from a range of UK airports* to your destination. For latest flight times and prices please call us on 0203-974-8865 or email reservations@hfholidays.co.uk  

If you choose to book your flights with us, we automatically include return transfers between the destination airport and hotel.  

Without flights EU

Alternatively, tailor your journey to suit you by booking your holiday ‘without flights’ and you’ll have the freedom to book your own flights from your local airport.   

*Subject to availability 

Carbon Footprint - 419kg CO2

We see it as our responsibility to minimise our emissions, not just for this year but every year to come. Our work with sustainability experts, ecollective, has enabled us to measure our carbon footprint and create a strategy to reduce the carbon intensity of our product by 5% each year. Our ambition is to be net zero by 2040 – earlier if we can.

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Reviews

Code: CNM07-LDW09

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Dates & availability

The Connemara Way Guided Trail in Ireland

Members save an additional £30 on this booking and get a range of other exclusive benefits. You can join during booking process. Read more about membership
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Trusted British co-operative

We are proud to be Britain’s only walking holiday co-operative. Led by almost 40,000 members, offering hundreds of holidays across the UK and overseas, with all surplus being reinvested back into our Society.

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Flexible choice of guided walks

Experienced volunteer HF Leaders guide every walk at our UK country houses, offering up to three daily options. Making it easy to find a holiday to suit your ability, and with the flexibility to switch grades each walking day.

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Book early with confidence

Become an HF Member to benefit from our Price Pledge. Secure your first choice of holiday early, and if the cost drops after you book, we will automatically refund the difference (exc. travel agent & group bookings).

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Book with confidence

If the flights we have organised are cancelled or changed, we’ll do everything we can to find alternative transport, with minimal disruption to your holiday

If we cancel your holiday, we honour all refund requests 

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Travel with confidence

We know that peace of mind is priceless, so we’ll always go above and beyond to meet – and exceed – expectations

If the flights we have organised are cancelled or changed, we’ll do everything we can to find alternative transport, with minimal disruption to your holiday

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HF Holidays

A British heritage brand with 111 years of experience

Offering a choice of over 260 itineraries in nearly 40 countries

Run as a co-operative with 40,000-plus members

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