DONEGAL TRAIL WEST - 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. There is a choice of a based holiday and four circular routes which 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 6 days / 7 nights Ride only price 2009: High season from 11 Jul - 22 Aug - £815, all other dates £749 Departure dates 2009: Weekly arrivals on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays from 23rd April to 31st October. Approximate riding time per day Between 5 - 6 hours daily Riding ability required Confident to walk, trot and canter and able to look after own horse out on the trail, i.e. feeding, tacking up, grooming. Group size minimum 2 - max 6 Meeting point (getting there) 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. Flight guide Knock or Sligo airports. Ryanair; BMI; Aer Arann - from approx £60 return Single supplement Single rooms canot be guaranteed on the trail

SAMPLE ITINERARY - DONEGAL TRAIL WEST - UNGUIDED

Day 1
Arrive at the farm before 2pm at the latest. Receive saddlebags and have a trial ride along the laneways near the farm to Trawalud Strand and dunes and return to the farm.

Day 2
Around lunchtime set off from the Farm - in the morning you have a lot to do to prepare for the adventures ahead of you. Your horse has to be taken care of, fed and groomed; saddlebags have to be packed properly. Don't be worried, everything you really need on your trail will fit into the saddlebags. Many riders who came before you can vouch for that. We will transport you and your horse from the farm into County Donegal. After about an hour, we drop you at the starting point of the first day of your trail. Follow the yellow arrows and check the route on the map from time to time. Depending on how fast you ride you will arrive at Mrs Logue's after about 4 to 5 hours after a lovely trek across bogland and through forests. An excellent dinner awaits you. Mrs Logue owns a modern farmhouse and you and your horse will be able to enjoy the best facilities. And if you talk to Mrs Logue about Irish sweaters there might well be a bit of a fashion show after dinner.

Day 3
You will start the day with an opulent full irish breakfast which will give you the strnegth for day's riding, long and full of excitment. the trail goes through the Blue Stackmountains, secluded , majestic, wild and romantic. You will enjoy picturesque views and impressive scenery. The only living souls you meet along the way are sheep and birds. Enjoy the tranquility and the wind, which accompanies you on your way. Care for some adventure? High up in the mountains it needs abit of courage to follow the signposted trail which crosses the boggy terrain - don't worry though, the horses are familiar with the area and will carry you safely across. Hungry? Thirsty? Aftera few adventurous hours everybody welcomes a rest. Riding down the mountain you will pass an impressive waterfall and arrive at the welcoming Glen Tavener. Allow the horses to relax for a short while and enjoy a pint of guinness or a pot of tea yourself. It will do you all good. You will have a few hours riding ahead of you. Don't say you are tired already - the Ward family expects you to enjoy their sumptuous evening meal.

Day 4
The Wards know exactly what sort of a day is ahead of you so enjoy your hearty breakfast which will help you manage those hours in the saddle. They will be happy to discuss the route with you before yu leave and then a long and exciting trail lies ahead of you. At the beginning you follow an old railway line which is not used any more, then you ride on the road and finally you reach a mysterious river and forest area, ride along the shores of beautiful Lough Finn and into the Gaeltacht area (Gaelic spoken as well as English). Firstly, we want to show you our magical forest - just be careful you don't lose your way - fairies and elves seem to hide behind the trees. There are no threatening goblins,though, are there? The area seems to come straight out of a fairytale book. In the evening you will rest your weary bones in Fintown. Mrs Breege McGill knows her riders very well and what they need to revive them again - a lovely meal and a friendly chat.

Day 5
Soon you'll get closer to the sea, which you can see in the distance already, the bright sunshine lighting up the waves but you'll have to wait a while yet. Today you will have the chance to decide what you like better - riding in the mountains, through forests or on the beach. This tour offers a wide variety of scenery, new perspectives and exciting views, a wonderful isolated area with such peace you cannot imagine. did you ever see such a beautiful beach before? We are sure that you won't be able to resit galloping on the empty sandy beaches, which is such fun and so exhilerating. Enjoyment and excitement is the order of the day! We promise that you will encounter the most beautiful beaches you ever saw on the other side of the peninsula beyond the Gweebarra River, white sand as far as your eyes can see. Mrs Mary Shark will be waiting for you: you are staying tonight in a real Irish cottage, comfortable and cosy beneath a warm thatched roof. For your evening meal the Sharks will drive you into the next village where you will be able to eat in a picturesque restaurant or a typical pub - possibly with music if you're lucky, and you can join in the dancing too if you wish.

Day 6
Say goodbye to the sea? That's hard. May be you should changing your timing slightly and take two or three hours for another ride along the sea or through the lovely mud flats when the tide is out? then it's back to the Ward residence which you will reach after riding through majestic mountains. You will have time to stop en route, pause for a moment above ough Laragh and take a look back to Gweebarra Bay and enjoy the lovely view wich is breathtaking - mountains, rivers, bogland and the glittering sea in the distance.

Day 7
After a full Irish breakfast you've got the longest riding day of the trail ahead of you.You set off following your map and insturctions and there's bogland as far as you can see - dark muddy water and green grass. the scenery looks different again. Make the most of your last day which ends at Terry and June Coyle's Cloverhill House, again on the beach, at Inver.

Day 8
We will collect you and your horse from the Cloverhill House after breakfast and bring you back to the farm where you can say your farewell to your horse riding holiday partner of the last week.

NOTES - DONEGAL TRAIL WEST - UNGUIDED

 

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 equipment for the duration of the trail
Bed & Breakfast and some lunches
Overnight accommodation

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
Transport to and from the airports/railway stations
Some lunches
Evening meals

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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