Hello Travelers--
I have Rick's guidebook and have gleaned great info from the Travel Forum -- wondering about latest advice and tips on Irish-owned, or UK-owned, walking/hiking companies for self-guided tours. Thinking of 3 weeks total for Ireland and Northern Ireland, fitting in two or three hikes, definitely ingle Peninsula and maybe Wicklow Way. Recommendations? Great memories of similar? Thank you!
Posted by
Midway, UT
3250 posts
If you're amenable to doing this independently, my suggestion would be to take a look at the All Trails website (and app) and maybe decide whether you need the services of a company at all to help get you sorted out. We've always had good luck with it while previewing our own hikes in Ireland, and in particular always found their descriptions of the various hikes (length, degree of difficulty, directions to the trailhead, etc.) to be quite thorough. Their user reviews are helpful also for up-to-date information regarding current trail conditions ... ie bogginess of the track, etc.
If you plan to go much off the beaten track I'd advise bringing a pair of waterproof hiking boots - trails can oftentimes be pretty boggy even if it hasn't rained in a while.
Posted by
Colorado, USA
28 posts
Celtic Trails out of Wales is wonderful. We just used them for a small portion of the Offa’s Dyke Trail in April. Excellent, clear communication; great B&Bs; seamless luggage transfers. We are old & seasoned backpackers & decided to treat ourselves & were not disappointed! Happy to answer any questions.
Posted by
Lynnwood, Washington
10497 posts
HF Holidays
https://www.hfholidays.co.uk/
Posted by
Glostrup, Denmark
1572 posts
Do you need somebody to transport your luggage from place to place? This makes a great difference in the planning.
In my youth (30 - 45 years old) I carried tent and sleeping bag and just walked on my own. No planning. Today it would be much easier with GPS app on my phone.
Now (71 years old) I will use a company to transport my luggage from place to place and only carry a day pack.
Except that I am planning to walk the London Loop, where I will go back to the same accommodation every day. Not really relevant for you I know.
Posted by
Chicago
832 posts
I have taken two 100-mile-long hikes in Ireland (the Dingle and Wicklow ways) and one in England (Lake District).
In 2010, I hired what is now called Ireland Walk Hike Bike (https://irelandwalkhikebike.com/) as a walking-tour company to hike the Dingle Way (https://www.dingleway.com/): They were excellent.