Donegal is the wildest and most romantic of the Irish counties. Your hosts have a family run business established more than 30 years ago. This trail starts at their farm, situated in the most beautiful and untouched area of Eire, directly on the North West Atlantic coastline. This horse riding holiday is unguided so you should be an experienced rider. The trail meanders 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. If you want an adventure holiday then look no further than the Unguided Donegal South riding holiday. We also offer the Donegal Trail West - Unguided ride.
No single rooms available (on some or all nights). Riders must be prepared to share.
SAMPLE ITINERARY - DONEGAL TRAIL SOUTH - UNGUIDED
Day 1: ARRIVAL DAY
Meeting point: The stables at 10.00 a.m.
Introduction to horses and a trial ride along the country lanes, beach and seashore near Horse Holiday Farm. After riding you will get your saddlebags and maps and your room for the night in the locality.
Evening meal can be had in one of the local pubs/restaurants (not included in the price).
Day 2: COUNTRY MANSION
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 days 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 1,000 acres. riding time 4 – 5 hours. You will be by-passing Ballyshannon – the oldest town in Ireland, created in 1613. Why not pay a visit in the evening and have a drink at Dorrian’s Thatched Pub. You will need a taxi this evening for dinner as the guesthouse is outside the town.
Day 3: ROSSNOWLAUGH
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 the beautiful Franciscan Friary which has a small museum housing stone age flints and old Irish musical instruments. Take a break at the Smugglers Creek. Leaving at Murvagh to follow a small country road to a modern guesthouse. Approx. 4 hours riding. You can arrange dinner at a restaurant in the locality. Next morning ask for a packed lunch from your B&B landlady.
Day 4: PEACE, TRANQUILITY AND RELAXATION
Return to Murvagh – you will have the Golf Club 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 those aching muscles – book ahead.
Day 5: THE PILGRIM'S WAY
Departing the 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 travel here every summer for three days of prayer, penance and fasting. Overnight at a farmhouse near Pettigo. Approx 4 –5 hours riding. Ask for a packed lunch.
Day 6: A DAY OF LEISURE
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 or visit Enniskillen on Lough Erne. There is a local mini-bus for hire. There are also great shopping opportunities. You can also take a leisurely ride in the area.
Day 7: ARDMOURNE GUESTHOUSE AND STABLES
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 8: FAREWELL TO FRIENDS
After breakfast transportation back to the farm and say goodbye to your equine friends of the past week.
Please note: This itinerary is given for your guidance only and it may be altered in accordance with the prevailing conditions by the organising team.
NOTES - DONEGAL TRAIL SOUTH - UNGUIDED
Single rooms cannot be guaranteed on this trail.
Due to the nature of unguided rides and being out in the countryside without assistance, riders must be confident around horses and capable of finding their own way along the lanes and beaches, map-reading from horseback, opening and closing gates and negotiating country traffic (tractors!) This ride is not suitable for nervous riders.
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.
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.
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, bed & breakfast accommodation on the trail and some packed lunches.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
International flights, transfers, some lunches, evening meals and drinks, items of a personal nature.
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Reading List We're avid readers here at Unicorn Trails and have selected several books connected to this ride. If you're interested in reading more about the area before you travel, or want to get into the cultural background, here are some suggestions that may inspire you. Click on the links for more information.
What you see on our web site is exactly how much your invoice will come to and this will not change once booked. Unlike some other companies the prices on our web site are fully inclusive of often hidden extras such as: VAT, Sales Tax, state taxes, city taxes, service charges, non-optional tips, fuel surcharges which can add 20% or more to the advertised cost. Prices are available in £ sterling, Euros and US$. Once invoiced, prices are guaranteed against adverse currency fluctuations. Contact us for package prices which include flights from the UK and see each ride for exact details of all items in individual itineraries.
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