Walking Weekend in Connemara
- Fitness Level : Moderate
- Group: Short Walking Tours
- Suitable for: All age groups
- Duration : Weekend
Aug 29th -31st 2025.
Staying in Leenane
Nestled in the wild west of Ireland, Connemara is a breathtaking region in County Galway, where rugged coastline, charming fishing villages, and shimmering lakes create an unforgettable landscape. The Maumturks and Twelve Bens mountains provide incredible walking opportunities, while the Western Way offers a long-distance trail through this untamed beauty.
This walking weekend is designed to showcase the very best of Connemara. Explore the stunning Killary Fjord, Ireland’s only fjord, following the historic Famine Road with its ancient stone walls, as local fishermen glide across the water.
Take on the challenge of Mweelrea, Connacht’s highest peak at 814m, where panoramic views stretch across Mayo, Connemara, and the fjord below. From dramatic mountain ridges to vast waterways and rugged coastlines, Connemara’s landscape is simply spectacular.
In the morning, we will leave Dublin and make our way towards Leenane in Connemara. The drive to Leenane takes approx. 4hrs. On the way we can take a break and stop to stretch the legs, enjoy a coffee or have a browse.
Once we reach Leenane and meetup with everyone. Then we make our way to the start of our first walk on Kilary Fjord. This is an incredible walk and a walk on the south side of Kilary Ford looking across to Mayo and Mweelrea on the other side.
We will be staying in Leenane Hotel which serves food and is a local pub.
Check out our Blog about this walk here – https://www.hilltoptreks.com/blog/killary-harbour-coastal-walk
This morning after breakfast we travel to Silver Strand (in Mayo).
Today’s walk on Mweelrea is the tough walk of the weekend. We will start this walk from Silver Strand. Mweelrea consists of 5 peaks joined together with its highest point being at 814m. The Silver Strand approach is the safest way up this mountain and follows a river almost to its summit. It is a gradual but consistent climb upwards but we will take our time.
The views along the walk are stunning overlooking the coastline around you with views across Connemara, it’s surrounding islands and southern Mayo.
On our return to Leenane we can freshen up before dinner.
After breakfast we will book out of our accommodation and take a short walk on one of Ireland’s most impressive small Islands, Omey.
if the tides are with us we can drive across a beautiful beach to this island. Although it is small in size, it is steeped in history and offers a great short walk before making our journey back to Dublin.
We will stop again on our way back to Dublin and hope to be back by 5pm.
This trip is open to anyone who enjoys walking, exploring and discovering some of the hidden treasures in this country.
Killary Fjord – Famine Walk – Ireland’s only real Fjord called Killary. This walk is a wonderful easy type walk along the side of this Fjord on a clear path or track. The walk is along the southern side of the Fjord with Mweelrea Connaught’s or Mayo’s highest Mountain on the other side
We start this walk from Rossroe, which sits at the very southern end of the Fjord and return back by the famine walk. It is called the famine walk due to the fact that the pathway was built during the famine 1845- 49 as relief work in the area and there is also a famine village close by where many of the local people perished during this period in Ireland.
Grade easy moderate Length 8 km, Duration: 2.5 – 3 hrs, Ascent: 120m, Terrain: Clear paths and tracks.
Mweelrea is the tough walk of the weekend and the highest in Connacht. We will start this walk from Silver Strand. Mweelrea consists of 5 peaks joined together with its highest point being at 814m. The Silver Strand approach is the safest way up this mountain and follows a river almost to its summit. It is a gradual but consistent climb upwards but we will take our time.
The views along the walk are stunning overlooking the coastline around you with views across Connemara, it’s surrounding islands and southern Mayo.
Grade Strenuous Length 10.8 km, Duration: 5 hrs, Ascent: 797m, Terrain: open mountain trails.
Walk on Omey Island – (This is tide dependent) – otherwise we will do a short walk closeby.
Omey is in Claddaghduff is accessible at low tide every day by crossing acres of firm sandy beach, either in a car or on foot.
Omey Island has a wealth of antiquities. The ruins of Teampaill Féichín (Feichin’s Church), a medieval church built on a 7th century Christian settlement lie close to the north coast. The church was covered in sand until 1981 and it is surrounded by the remains of a semi-sunken village that was wiped out during the Famine. St Feichin’s Holy Well can also be found to the west, just above a rocky inlet. The island is now largely abandoned, with some part-time residents during the summer months. It once supported a population of over four hundred souls. It is however the main burial ground for this region, utilizing an ancient burial ground associated with St Brendan.
Walk easy: Length 4 km, Duration: 2.5 hrs, Ascent: 50m, Terrain: sand, rock and grassland.
N.B. Ireland’s climate is of a moderate type and suited to walking all year round. Although it is quite changeable so starting a walk on a fine clear morning may not be the case for the afternoon.
- Hill walking Boots
- Walking Poles (if you use them)
- Rucksack for walks (25L)
- Walking Trousers (Not Jeans)
- Waterproofs (Just in Case)
- Leg Gaiters ( I would recommend leg gaiters for this weekend)
- Walking Socks
- Thermal top / T-shirt (Not Cotton)
- Sun Cream
We are staying at Leenane Hotel in Leenane.
- All bedrooms are en-suite with bath & shower, tea & coffee making facilities
- Bar and restaurant with seasonal & locally sourced food produce.
- Fresh breakfast with choices.
- Free Wifi is also available
Breakfasts: are included and there is a wide selection to choose from including a Full Irish, fruit, cereals etc.
Lunches for the walks: We can source our lunch for walks in local delis and shops enroute.
Evening Meal: An evening meal on day 1 is included in cost.
- Mweelrea is a tough walk and suitable fitness is required.
- All the walks are taken at a pace to suit the group.
- The groups can have a mixed level of fitness and age usually.
- If the weather is too bad on a certain day to do the suggested walk, then the guide will suggest an alternative one.
- The Guide will have the final say on the day of the chosen walk for the safety of the group.
A deposit of 10% is required to secure your booking.
The balance of the cost of your tour / walk is due not less than 6 weeks prior to scheduled departure.
If we do not receive this balance in full and on time, we reserve the right to treat your booking as cancelled by you in which case we shall retain your deposit.
- Loss of deposit applies for cancellations made 6 weeks or less in advance.
- Cancellation fee of 50% applies for cancellations made less than 2 weeks in advance.
- Cancellation fee of 100% applies for cancellations made less than 1 week in advance, or in case of no-show.
Cost
Price: €445pps |
Single Supplement €120 Cost Includes
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Pickup:
Location: Molly Malone statue on Suffolk Street at 09:00am. Otherwise meet us in Leenane for 13:30 |
Got a Question?
Do not hesitate to give us a call. We are an expert team and we are happy to talk to you.
17 Dodder Lawn, Dodder Valley Park, Firhouse Dublin 24, Ireland
Testimonials



FAQs for our Walking Weekend in Connemara
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Mweelra is a tough walk and requires a good level of fitness. The walks on these tours are of a mixed level with the option on some days to shorten. All the walks are taken at a pace to suit the group. The groups can range from 6 to 16 people in size with a mixed level of fitness and age usually. If the weather is too bad on a certain day to do the suggested walk, then the guide will suggest an alternative one. The Guide will have the final say on the day about the walk for the safety of the group.
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We will be staying at Leenane's Hotel. This is also the local Pub and Restaurant. Its a cosy accommodation and the perfect place to relax after the days walk. There is Free WIFI in all the accommodations we use. All the rooms are en-suite. The accommodations we use are well used to us bringing them guests after a day’s walk and know that they somewhere comfortable to relax and freshen up.
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Breakfasts are included and there is a wide selection to choose from including a Full Irish, fruit, cereals etc. Lunches for the walks: We will visit some local shops to get supplies. Evening Meals: Threes course evening meal at Leenane's on first day is included.