Connemara Western Way

Introduction
Galaway & Mayo Ireland
The Western Way is a relatively short walking route of 101 km (63 miles) from Oughterard in County Galway to Westport in County Mayo. This part of western Ireland contains Ireland’s finest scenery in unspoilt and quiet countryside. The route is part of the longer Western Way walking route that continues from Westport to Ballina, Co. Mayo.

Connemara is a wild place, with some of the finest scenery Ireland has to offer. Early settlements were mainly on the coast; the interior deemed too infertile and wet for any useful occupation. The area suffered huge population loss in the mid 19th century but through the guidance of the Irish Land Commission, land leases were offered to tenant farmers, fishing was structured and the area was slowly rejuvenated.

The total walk is 77km. Approximately 36% of the route is on minor roads.

Tour Highlights
- Lough Corrib, Lough Inagh & Killary Fjord
- Kylemore Abbey, Connemara National Park and the Twelve Bens
- The famine road by Killary harbour

Accomodation

Accommodations
This is a progressive tour so nights will be spent in different locations.

Description
You will be staying in comfortable guesthouses and farmhouses. Rooms are as much as possible en-suite. However B&B’s do still have rooms that are not en-suite but should have a bathroom adjacent to the room. We will book these rooms when there are no en-suites available. This happens regularly in the high season.

We do try to make your accommodation convenient to each day’s walk. The walking distances for each day as specified in your tour itinerary may vary, depending where you are staying, as your accommodation may not be in the centre of the village. This will be referred to in your route notes and may add 2-3 km to your walk. Please check this before you walk!

While we have reserved your accommodation, it is a good idea to telephone your hosts with the approximate time of your arrival. Some accommodations will offer you tea or coffee on arrival – if they don’t please do ask if you would like some. You will find that hosts are very approachable and sometimes you just need to ask for what you want.

You must show your accommodation list to your host each day on your arrival. Your luggage will be transferred for you each day by the guesthouse owners or taxi.

Accommodation Itinerary for 10-day tour - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1: Accommodation in Dereenmeel
Night 2: Accommodation in Doolin
Night 3: Accommodation in Recess
Night 4 to 6: Accommodation in Leenane
Night 7 to 9: Accommodation in Westport

Accommodation Itinerary for 8-day tour - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1: Accommodation in Dereenmeel
Night 2: Accommodation in Doolin
Night 3: Accommodation in Recess
Night 4 & 5: Accommodation in Leenane
Night 6 & 7: Accommodation in Westport

Room Occupancy
If you are travelling alone, you will be booked into a single room in your accommodations. This is often a room for two persons that you will have to yourself, which means a single supplement fee needs to be applied.
Please, note that a single traveller also incurs the full luggage transfer fee, which is normally divided between two people.
It is a good idea to contact your hosts and let them know what time you expect to arrive – they tend to be more concerned about walkers hiking alone.


Meals
Only breakfasts are included in your package.

Ireland is renowned for its “Full Irish Breakfast” which consists of bacon, sausages, fried egg and toast. Cereals or a lighter option might be available if you ask. Some walkers find the “full Irish” too much every morning. You can agree with your host on your arrival what time you want breakfast – this is usually between 8.00 and 9.00am.

You can enjoy evening meals in the guesthouses in some locations (for an extra fee), but the hosts need to be notified beforehand. If you choose to eat with your hosts in their home, please ring them the previous evening, or the morning before you arrive to book a meal. They may have to travel some distance to get supplies! Please ask your hosts for any advice in relation to the best places to eat if you wish to eat out and where to find traditional entertainment.

In the early or late season, local restaurants may be closed or pubs may not be serving evening meals. Your hosts will assist you with alternative arrangements if you are walking in the off-season.

Lunches such as sandwiches or filled rolls are often available in local shops or supermarkets, and many also have hot food counters. Look for names such as Centra, Londis, Statoil, Spar, or check in petrol stations. Please note that it is advisable to carry lunch with you unless told otherwise in the route notes.

Do tell your hosts when you arrive if you would like them to provide a packed lunch for the next day (extra fee applies).

Riding

Itinerary

Sample Itinerary: 10-day tour - subject to changes

You will enjoy this trip if you are physically fit and like to hike. The hikes each day will vary from 14-24 kilometres and cross some rough, wet and rocky terrain. Experience of hiking and compass use is an advantage.

Day 1: Arrival 
Make your own way to Oughterard on the Owenariff River. It was the country of the O’Flaherty clan, feared throughout the land and eventually reduced to obedience under the reign of Elizabeth I. The ruins of their castle at Aughanure are just outside the village.
Your host will arrange an evening meal reservation for you and will transfer you after your evening meal to your guesthouse in Dereenmeel, on the Western Way (5km from Oughterard).
Overnight in Dereenmeel
Meals included: none

Day 2: Walk to to Maam 
From the shore of Lough Corrib, follow the Way through pine forest, climbing gently through the valleys of the Owenroe and Folore Rivers. The ground is generally wet and is a tough start but gets you into the heart of the Connemara countryside at Maam. A taxi transfer will return you to Dereenmeel.
Walking Distance 18 km (about 5 hours) / Ascent 100 m 
Overnight in Doolin
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 3: Maam to Recess
The farming countryside of Maam climbs steadily through rugged hill country along the old mountain road, to the low pass of Mam Ean and a lovely hillside chapel of St. Patrick. The high Maamturks on your right oppose the Twelve Bens on your left over the haunting Lough Inagh Valley. Accommodation tonight is in Recess, close to lough Inagh, a deep brooding lough under the Twelve Bens.
Walking Distance 14 km (about 4 hours) / Ascent 260 m 
Overnight in Recess
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 4: Recess to Leenane
You start today's hike through pine forest and bogland of Luggagtarriff and Lettershanbally. The Way climbs briefly to Glencraff before skirting the northern flanks of the Maumturks to view Killary Harbour, Ireland’s only fjord.
Walking Distance 20 km (about 5 hours) / Ascent 235 m 
Overnight in Leenane
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 5: Free Day in Connemara
You may wish to visit Connemara National Park and Visitor Centre within striking distance by private taxi transfer, as are Kylemore Abbey and the Victorian Walled Gardens.
Walking Distance 20 km (about 5 hours) / Ascent 235 m 
Overnight in Leenane
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 6: Killary Harbour Famine Road
A taxi transfer takes you to the starting point at Rosroe to walk along the shore of Killary Harbour. The track was constructed after the Great Famine (1848) to provide some employment for the then extensive population of Connemara.
The route offers stunning views of Killary harbour, a glacial fjord, the craggy backdrop of Maol Reidh (Mweelrea) and its gullies steeply descending into the fjord. Aquaculture is an important income for the local community now. There is a salmon farm at Rosroe and the fjord is studded with mussel rafts. You may even be lucky enough to view dolphins or seals!
Walking Distance 14 km (about 5 hours) / Ascent 120 m 
Overnight in Leenane
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 7: Leenane to Drummin
Entering Co. Mayo today, the Way rises through forest over Tawnyard Lough descending to Sheefry Bridge over the Owenmore River in the Sheefry Hills.
If you wish to walk more, the longer route via Lough Lugacolliwee (23km / Ascents 430m) climbs a deep stream ravine crossing at 480m to see the first glimpse of the quartzite cone of Croagh Patrick. The glaciated coum Lough Lugacolliwee is a peaceful place in the midst of such mountain splendour.
A taxi transfer will take you from Drummin to Westport.
Walking Distance 17 km (about 4 hours) / Ascent 80 m 
Overnight in Westport
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 8: Drummin to Westport
Taxi transfer to Drummin. A minor road takes you to the south of Croagh Patrick, sheep grazing country, rising to open moorland, before crossing a pass at 250m to see island studded Clew Bay. The Way descends through the remains of a Famine village, then wanders through drumlins, glacial mounds deposited in the flatland surrounding Westport town. The town was the creation of James Wyatt and although classically planned, remains picturesque. Explore at will!Walking Walking Distance 24 km (about 6 hours) / Ascent 230 m 
Overnight in Westport
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 9: Free Day or Pilgrims Trail
Optional free day in Westport town. Or walk the Pilgrim’s Trail from Ballintober to Westport town. A glorious countryside walk, through the farmlands of south county Mayo, and the valleys of the Camoge & Aille rivers. The Pilgrim trail follows the ancient prayer route from Ballintober Abbey to Croagh Patrick, St. Patrick’s Holy Mountain.
Walking Distance 17 km (about 5 hours) / Ascent 180 m 
Overnight in Westport
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 10: Departure
Arrange your own transfer from Westport. You can take the train for Dublin or bus to Galway and Shannon.
Meals Included: Breakfast

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Sample Itinerary: 8-day tour - subject to changes

Day 1: Arrival 
Make your own way to Oughterard on the Owenariff River. It was the country of the O’Flaherty clan, feared throughout the land and eventually reduced to obedience under the reign of Elizabeth I. The ruins of their castle at Aughanure are just outside the village.
Your host will arrange an evening meal reservation for you and will transfer you after your evening meal to your guesthouse in Dereenmeel, on the Western Way (5km from Oughterard).
Overnight in Dereenmeel
Meals included: none

Day 2: Walk to to Maam 
From the shore of Lough Corrib, follow the Way through pine forest, climbing gently through the valleys of the Owenroe and Folore Rivers. The ground is generally wet and is a tough start but gets you into the heart of the Connemara countryside at Maam. A taxi transfer will return you to Dereenmeel.
Walking Distance 18 km (about 5 hours) / Ascent 100 m 
Overnight in Doolin
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 3: Maam to Recess
The farming countryside of Maam climbs steadily through rugged hill country along the old mountain road, to the low pass of Mam Ean and a lovely hillside chapel of St. Patrick. The high Maamturks on your right oppose the Twelve Bens on your left over the haunting Lough Inagh Valley. Accommodation tonight is in Recess, close to lough Inagh, a deep brooding lough under the Twelve Bens.
Walking Distance 14 km (about 4 hours) / Ascent 260 m 
Overnight in Recess
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 4: Recess to Leenane
You start today's hike through pine forest and bogland of Luggagtarriff and Lettershanbally. The Way climbs briefly to Glencraff before skirting the northern flanks of the Maumturks to view Killary Harbour, Ireland’s only fjord.
Walking Distance 20 km (about 5 hours) / Ascent 235 m 
Overnight in Leenane
Meals Included:

Day 5: Free Day in Connemara
You may wish to visit Connemara National Park and Visitor Centre within striking distance by private taxi transfer, as are Kylemore Abbey and the Victorian Walled Gardens.
Walking Distance 20 km (about 5 hours) / Ascent 235 m 
Overnight in Leenane
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 6: Leenane to Drummin
Entering Co. Mayo today, the Way rises through forest over Tawnyard Lough descending to Sheefry Bridge over the Owenmore River in the Sheefry Hills.
If you wish to walk more, the longer route via Lough Lugacolliwee (23km / Ascents 430m) climbs a deep stream ravine crossing at 480m to see the first glimpse of the quartzite cone of Croagh Patrick. The glaciated coum Lough Lugacolliwee is a peaceful place in the midst of such mountain splendour.
A taxi transfer will take you from Drummin to Westport.
Walking Distance 17 km (about 4 hours) / Ascent 80 m 
Overnight in Westport
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 7: Drummin to Westport
Taxi transfer to Drummin. A minor road takes you to the south of Croagh Patrick, sheep grazing country, rising to open moorland, before crossing a pass at 250m to see island studded Clew Bay. The Way descends through the remains of a Famine village, then wanders through drumlins, glacial mounds deposited in the flatland surrounding Westport town. The town was the creation of James Wyatt and although classically planned, remains picturesque. Explore at will!Walking Walking Distance 24 km (about 6 hours) / Ascent 230 m 
Overnight in Westport
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 8: Departure
Arrange your own transfer from Westport. You can take the train for Dublin or bus to Galway and Shannon.
Meals Included: Breakfast

Rates and Dates for Connemara Western Way

Dates Note: Any time during the season.

Other Info
Meeting: Oughterard
Airport: Shannon airport
Transfer:

Climate:
                                                    Castlebar area

• Fully waterproof rainwear;
• Waterproof hiking boots;
• Hiking-pole;
• Light walking shoes;
• Spare layer of clothing;
• Hat/cap;
• Gaiters;
• Day-rucksack;
• Thermos flask;
• Water bottle;
• Lunchbox;
• Plastic bag;
• Torch; Insect-repellent spray;
• First Aid kit;
• Blister-plaster;
• Sunscreen.