DONEGAL TRAIL SOUTH - UNGUIDED - IRELAND

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A family run business established more than 30 years ago by the current owners. The farm is situated in the most beautiful and untouched area of Eire, directly on the North West Atlantic coastline. The Donegal Trails meander through the glorious Donegal and Sligo countryside. Ride along miles of glorious golden sands, cross rivers, ride through the forests and along the cliffs and admire the glorious countryside of mountains, lakes and green fields. Donegal is the wildest and most romantic of the Irish counties.

Trip length 8 days / 7 nights Ride only price 2009: High season from 11th July - 22nd August - £815, all other dates £749 Departure dates Any Thursday, Friday, Saturday or Sunday from 24th April to early November Approximate riding time per day 4 - 6 hours Riding ability required Intermediate - confident at walk, trot and canter. Min age 21. Group size 2 - 6 Meeting point (getting there) At the farmhouse. Transfer 2008: Taxi trip from Knock Airport £50 return or Sligo airport £25 return per person or make your own arrangements on arrival. 2009: Taxi trip from Knock Airport €95 return or Sligo Airport €35 return per person or make your own arrangements on arrival. Arrival time at the farm on Day 1 is 2pm at the latest and departure on Day 8 is after breakfast. Flight guide Knock or Sligo airports. Ryanair; BMI; Aer Arann- from approx £60 return Single supplement Single rooms cannot be guaranteed on the trail

SAMPLE ITINERARY - DONEGAL TRAIL SOUTH - UNGUIDED

Day 1
The start of your horse riding holiday. Arrive at the farm by 2pm at the latest, meet your hosts and horses. Receive saddlebags, maps and have a trial ride along the laneways near the Farm to Tawalud Strand and Dunes and return to the farm.

Day 2
After breakfast, receive instructions on tacking up and guidelines for the next 6 days. Then you and your horse will be transported to Belleek to commence your first day's trail. This day takes you along the shores of Assaroe Lake and then through the forests of the Knader Wood to Cavangarden House, a beautiful country mansion set in its own 1000 acres. Riding time 4-5 hours. You will be by-passing Ballyshannon, the oldest town in Ireland, created in 1613. Why not pay visit in the evening and have a drink at Dorrian's Thatched Pub?

Day 3
From Cavangarden House you will ride through the farm to a quiet country road which brings you to the famous surfing beach of Rossnowlagh, miles of beach and dunes stretch ahead of you. Rossnowlagh is the home of a beautiful Franciscan Friary which has a small museum housing Stone Age flints and old Irish musical instruments. Take a break at the Smugglers Creek inn. Leaving Murvagh to follow a small country road to a modern guesthouse. Approx 4 hours riding.

Day 4
Return to Murvagh, you will have the Golf Glub in sight as well as a magnificent view to Slieve League and the Bluestack Mountains. Across the bay you will see many islands, Inishpat and Rooney's Island are directly in front of you, keep to the shoreline, and leave the sea at St.Ernan's Island. Follow a small country lane rising all the time in the direction of Oughternid. Enjoy the magnificent views, Barnesmore on your left and spreads of blanket bog formed up to 7,000 years ago on your right. Arriving after approx 5-6 hours at Moorlands Guesthouse. Rosie and Walter also have a Health Centre, a massage from Rosie could do wonders for any aching muscles.

Day 5
Departing from Moorlands, follow forest tracks to the shores of Lough Derg, Ireland's most famous Pilgrimage site, St Patrick's Purgatory on Saint's Island - thousands of people from all over the world travel here every summer for three days of prayer, penance and fasting. Stay overnight at a farmhouse near Pettigo - approx 4-5 hours riding.

Day 6
Leaving Pettigo follow a small track which brings you back to the shores of Lough Derg, this time on the north east shore. On leaving Lough Derg you follow a series of small forest tracks, riding along the Mullafa Mountain and Meenbog Hill, enjoying the peace and the comfort of wildlife to a warm welcome from Helena and Joe at Ardmourne Guesthouse.

Day 7
Leaving Ardmourne you will ride a series of forest tracks through Killeter forest rising to a height to give magnificent views of the very scenic Barnesmore Gap and Bluestack Mountains. You will ride down into the Gap where you can take a break at Biddy o' Barnes (a traditional old pub). At this point we can pick you up from the pub and bring you back to the Farm.

Day 8
After breakfast you and your horse will be collected from your overnight accommodation and transported back to the farm base. It is then time to say farewell to your equine friend of the past week.

NOTES - DONEGAL TRAIL SOUTH - UNGUIDED

A rest day can be arranged should you wish to visit the historic Donegal Town with its castle dating back to the 15th century and the ruins of Donegal Abbey built in 1474: there are also great opportunities for shopping.

 

The weight limit for this ride is 16st /224 lb/102 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.

WHAT IS INCLUDED
Hire of your horse, saddle bags and all equipment for the duration of the trail
Return mini-coach trip to local pubs/restaurants when staying at the farmhouse on the first night for the Trail riders and every night for the base stay riders
Bed & Breakfast
Overnight accommodation

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
lunches, evening meals and drinks, transfers and flights to and from Knock.

FURTHER DETAILS
As we are specialists in our field we have extensive knowledge of all our products from details of accommodation and meals to number/size/type of horses to pace of riding ... and much more.

Should you wish to receive further details of this ride please click here.

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