DONEGAL TRAIL WEST - UNGUIDED - IRELAND

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Donegal is the wildest and most romantic of the Irish counties and it's here that we offer our wonderful adventure that we call Donegal West Unguided. This is a spectacular trail ride and because it is unguided it is suited to experienced riders. You begin from a farm situated in the most beautiful and untouched area of Eire, directly on the North West Atlantic coastline. Your hosts established the business more than 30 years ago. 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. This is not our only horse riding holiday in this area of Ireland - see also Donegal South - Unguided.

Trip length 6 days / 7 nights Ride price detailed prices price promise 2010: double pp £749/€825/$1,159 2010 11 July - 21 Aug: double pp £815/€895/$1,255 Departure dates Weekly arrivals on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays from 22nd April to 31st October. Approximate riding time per day Between 5 - 6 hours daily Riding ability required Confident, experienced riders only; 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 2010: Taxi trip from Knock Airport €80 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 detailed prices No single rooms available. Riders must be prepared to share.

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
Start the day with an opulent full Irish breakfast which will give you the strength 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.

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 WEST - UNGUIDED

 Single rooms cannot be guaranteed on this trail and riders should be prepared to share. 

Due to the nature of unguided rides and being out in the countryside without a 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.

You will be given saddlebags in which to pack your change of clothes and overnight gear. A tip: wrap your clothes in two plastic bags to keep the rain out in case you get caught in any rain

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 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

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