walking weekend breaks West Cork, walking weekends Ireland, West Cork, and Kerry

WALKING BREAKS

Mid Week walking break Mills Inn Ballyvourney

Suitable for those with previous hill-walking experience

The Múscraí Gaeltacht village of Baile Bhúirne (Ballyvourney) is nestled between St Gobnait’s wood and Cascade Wood and is surrounded by the Derrynasaggart and Shehy mountains.
A Bi-lingual (English and Irish speaking) area, Ballyvourney was home to poet Sean Ó Riordáin and is a sister village to Cúil Aodha (Coolea) home place of celebrated Irish composer Sean Ó Riada.

Tuesday
Arrive in Ballyvourney. Check-in from 3pm.
6.00 to 7.00pm: Introductory walk in the village.

Wednesday
Breakfast from 8am.
9.30am: Depart for the Gougane Barra Horseshoe hill-walk.
Climb high above St Finbarr’s 7th century lake island hermitage where the river Lee begins its journey. Enjoy panoramic views of the Lee Valley, the mountain ranges of West Cork and Kerry and Bantry Bay.
8.00pm: Group dinner at the Mills.

Thursday
Breakfast from 8am.
9.30am: Depart for The Paps hill-walk.
Climb the twin hills known locally as the Paps of Dana or Dhá Chích Danann just over Kerry border.
These characteristically shaped hills have an ancient spiritual significance and association with the Tuath de Danaan.
9.00pm: Music in the bar with Peadar Ó Riada, Connie Ó Conaill and Eibhlín de Paor

Friday
Depart morning. Check out by 11am.

Cost €242 includes 3B&B, 1D, 3 guided walks, 2 packed lunches, transport to and from the walks and traditional music session.
Walking boots essential.

Feel free to use your ‘cúpla focal’ (few words of Irish). If you don’t have any Irish we’ll make sure you have a few words before you leave!
Enquire about the walks
Booking your walking break Click here

Walking Weekend break
Four Star Castle Hotel in Macroom

Walking is the perfect way to explore The Lee Valley. Encircled by the Shehy, Derrynasaggart and Boggeragh Mountains there is miles of wonderful walking with stories to be told.
The weekend will consist of three walks.

Friday
Arrive Macroom.
8.00-9.00pm: Introductory tour of Macroom by streetlight.
See where Art O’Leary met his love Eibhlín Dubh Ní Chonaill and where William Penn lived.

Saturday
9.00 - 4.00pm: The Paps
This twin-peaked mountain is dedicated to the Tuatha de Danaan Goddess, Dana or Anu and is a focal point of Celtic spirituality. This is a lovely climb with ascent from 200m to 694m. 6-7 miles.

Sunday
9.00 - 12.00pm: A walking tour of the post glacial oak forest of the Gearagh near Macroom town with information on its formation, special habitat characteristics and human story.

Price 2B&B 1D, packed lunches, three guided walks and full use of leisure centre from €189 pp

Enquire about the walks
Book your walking break here

Catherine Ketch of Lee Valley Walking has been running guided tours and walks in the Macroom area for the past ten years. A trained local guide she has an MA in Geography as well as a keen interest in local history and environment.

* Routes may change due to weather conditions.

Lee Valley Walking

Lee Valley Walking organises relaxed hill and low-level walks for small groups and the independent walker in the Lee Valley, Macroom and the Múscraí Gaeltacht and walking trips to West Cork and Kerry.

Year round programme of scheduled walks
Residents and visitors alike can choose from a year round programme of scheduled hill-walks, low-level walks and visits to sites of heritage interest.

A programme of hill and low-level walks is available on alternate Sundays year round. During May, June, July and August shorter walks take place on Wednesday evenings in the Lee Valley, Macroom, Múscraí Gaeltacht and generally in the Cork/Kerry border region.

Guided Walking service
A guiding service is available for visits to local heritage sites, half-day, evening and full day walks. Walks are relaxed and informative on the heritage of the area including the geography, environment, archaeology and history as well as contemporary life in the locality.

Walking weekends/holidays
Explore the Lee Valley area of West Cork in more depth with a series of walks over a weekend break or a week long stay. Choose from an archaeological or historical theme or mix a number of themes to get an overall picture of the area.

Gift service
If you have a friend who has expressed an interest in taking up walking but simply hasn’t made the move, a gift voucher from Lee Valley Walking may be just the spur they need to get them started. Lee Valley Walking has a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere in which any new member will feel at home. Gift vouchers are also ideal for lovers of Irish, who can brush up on the language while walking.

If you are a member of a walking group,a group of friends that enjoy the outdoors or even an extended family and want to do something different on your time off, why not consider truly exploring what is an undiscovered, unspoilt and fascinating region in West Cork.

Simply contact us, let us know what your interests are and we will give you a number of options for your walking break. Together you can then choose from a menu of attractions and activities to design your own guided walking weekend/mid week walking break or walking holiday.

Finally you can choose your accommodation from our accommodation partners. Simply check out the links page and see what appeals to you.