West Coast Trail
Explore quaint villages, sandy beaches and rocky coastline and immerse yourself in the lush splendour of the north west of Ireland known as the Wild Atlantic Way. This region packs as much scenery, myth and folklore into its borders as any visitor could hope for and you’ll be hosted by the O’Connor family who have lived here for generations.
Explore sandy beaches, a tidal lagoon, a private island and the rocky coast line of Mullaghmore Headland. The Gleniff Horse Shoe Mountain ride and the rural trails at the foot of Benbulben Mountain invite for a hack through the wonderful west of Ireland countryside.
On the stopovers during your day ride, you will have a picnic or a pub lunch. Each day’s riding starts at the farm and returns back to base. There is plenty of opportunity to enjoy some brisk beach riding. On one of the days (usually Thursday) riders have the option to not ride midweek for one day and explore Sligo or Strandhill or go hiking or surfing that day (price for surf lesson not included). Taxi service to Sligo or Strandhill and back; packed lunch and maps for hiking will be provided if you decide to go for this option.
- Ride along Ireland's spectacular Wild Atlantic Way
- Explore beaches, coastal trails and a private island
- Enjoy scenic rides beneath Benbulben Mountain
- Stay in a seaside hotel overlooking Donegal Bay
- Experience traditional Irish hospitality and cuisine
- Optional hiking, surfing or sightseeing day midweek
itinerary
Day 1
Arrive at your hotel accommodation situated right beside Mullaghmore Harbour on the west coast of Ireland and check in. Meet your fellow riders and hosts over dinner before settling in for the night.
Day 2
After breakfast, transfer to the stables and meet the horses. There will be a short assessment session. This session is not so much a lesson but an opportunity to get to know your horse in the confines of the arena before heading out to the beach. It gives our partners an idea of which horse will work best for you and occasionally they may change the assigned mount after this session. After you’ve been paired up with your horse, it’s time for lunch before heading out in the afternoon on a 2-3 hour ride. The Beach & Bog Ride combines the coastal and the rural experience: riding by the sea and riding in the Irish countryside. The first part of your ride takes you along sandy Trawalua beach. Then you will follow quiet lane ways and century old bog tracks at the foot of rugged Benbulben Mountain. You will experience a great variety of scenery in just 3 hours and will give you a chance to get to know your horse in various terrain and paces. This ride is especially beautiful in the month of May when the rhododendrons are in full bloom.
Days 3-6
Each morning after breakfast you will be collected from your hotel and transferred to the stables where you’ll head out on one of the following rides, depending on the tide times that week. Lunch is a picnic while on the trail and dinner each day is served at your hotel.
Dernish island ride
Dernish Island was once home to 6 families. This little island is now only a weekend home and populated by cattle and wildlife mostly. Get a sense of island life in a bye-gone era. See Donegal bay, Trawalua beach and Classiebawn castle from across the channel. Seals and migratory birds can often be spotted in the estuary. Depending on weather, tides and subsequent departure times this ride is with either packed lunch or a stop over in the cafe on route. Advanced riders will have opportunities for a hearty gallop.
Mullaghmore Ride
The Mullaghmore Coastal Ride starts with an exhilarating ride on Trawalua beach. You will then follow the boundary of Classiebawn Estate to Mullaghmore. This little fishing village boasts a picturesque 19th century stone built harbour. The ride takes you along the headland with some breathtaking views of majestic sea cliffs and the Castle, a signature viewpoint of the Wild Atlantic Way. It was here that Lord Mountbatten, great grandson of Queen Victoria, was killed by a bomb planted on his boat by the IRA in 1979. On days with serious swell, top surfers from all over the world come here to take on the huge waves. On this trail you’ll take a break in the Pier Head pub overlooking the harbour.
O’Connor’s Island Ride
For many riders this is the highlight of the week
Gleniff Horseshoe Ride
discovering the unspoilt and expansive Irish beaches of the Wild Atlantic Way on horseback. Feel the thrill of crossing the Atlantic channel to your host's private island and the ancient homestead of the family. Your horse can enjoy the salty island grass while you relax, have a snack and explore the sites of ancient farm life on the island. A group of young horses and our dry stock cattle herd roam the islands. Seals and migratory birds can often be spotted in the lagoon. This ride combines some brisk riding on the strand and a scenic stroll over the island with a picnic amongst the horses or a stop off in the village cafe for some sumptuous food.
Day 7
Gleniff Horseshoe Ride takes you just a few miles inland from the coast. You will ride in the barren Gleniff Horse Shoe valley nestled beneath Benwiskin Mountain. The valley is steeped in history and legend. Set in a spectacular cliff face is Diarmuid and Grainne’s cave. Legend has it that this was the lovers’ hiding place on their flight from Fionn Mac Cumhaill. Barium Meal had been mined in the Dartry Mountains until the middle of the 20th century. Whilst more sedate from a riding point of view, this ride offers breathtaking views of 10 townlands and the Atlantic Ocean. Alternatively you can explore Sligo or Strandhill or go hiking or surfing (price for surf lessonnot included).A taxi service to Sligo or Strandhill and back plus a packed lunch and maps for hiking will be provided.
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West Coast Trail
Mini-brochure PDF
know before you go
Riders need to be comfortable at all paces, able to mount and dismount unaided and in control of a responsive horse when riding in open country or on the beach. You should be fit enough to enjoy 5 days of riding with around 4-6 hours in the saddle each day. The weight limit is 90kg.
Your hosts are the O’Connor family who have been running this farm and stables for generations. Your guides are friendly and experienced adults and experienced horse riders. The group size is between 1-6.
All the horses at this destination are Irish-bred. A lot of them have been born, reared and trained on the farm, your hosts see their horses as lifelong partners and all the horses are selected primarily on the basis of their good temperament. All the horses get solid foundation training, based on a combination of natural horsemanship and the German training scale. Elements of the philosophy of ease (école de légèreté) are incorporated into the horse's schooling.
All the horses lead a life as close to nature’s way as possible, living in a herd on 100 acres of summer pasture. They know each other well and are familiar with their place in the pecking order, which makes them even safer and easier to ride. After the day’s work, the horses go out to the fields and can be horses, have a roll in the mud, have a bit of horseplay and a social life with their friends. All horses are seen regularly by the horse dentist and chiropractor if needed. Saddles are checked and fitted every year by a master saddler. The horses and ponies come in all shapes and sizes. There are plenty of animals to choose from ranging from a patient easy-going cob to a challenging sport horse.
All the horses have their own good-quality, leather saddles and bridles which have been expertly fitted to them. Horses are responsive and are mostly ridden in snaffles. Riders will be provided with small saddlebags to carry daily essentials while on the trail.
Price includes
- 6 nights in en suite room in 3 star hotel
- Breakfasts, tea and coffee
- Lunches (packed lunch or pub lunch while on the trail)
- Dinners x 5 (one night dinner is not included and we recommend you visit one of the fantastic seafood restaurants in the area.)
- Transfers each day between the hotel and the stables
- 5 days of horse riding
Price Excludes
- International flights
- Airport transfers
- Tips
- Dinner on one of the nights
Accommodation
You’ll be staying at a local hotel close to the stables. Situated right beside Mullaghmore Harbour, the traditional family run Pier Head Hotel enjoys a fantastic view of Donegal Bay. The Pier Head Hotel is a modern three star hotel complete with en-suite rooms, restaurant, two bars, a swimming pool and spa. Transfers between the stables and the hotel are included.
Breakfast is provided by the hotel and you can choose between a full cooked breakfast or continental options, accompanied by tea, coffee and juice. Lunch is either a pinci at a picturesque spot on the trail or sometimes a pub lunch at a local free house on the trail. Dinner is provided by the hotel and there are many traditional Irish or European options. Traditional Irish food includes hearty roasts of local lamb, beef or pork, plenty of seasonal vegetables and traditional local cheeses and breads. Mullaghmore’s close proximity to the coast means that seafood and fresh fish is abundant and excellent. One evening's dinner is not included and we highly recommend you experience a meal in the local seafood restaurant in Mullaghmore.
West Coast Trail
Booking Conditions
See the full booking conditions specific to this trail here.Flights and transfers.
Do not book your flights until you have received the confirmation email from saddletravel.com
Flight and transfer information
- Dublin (DUB)
- Arrival time: Please aim to arrive in the afternoon on the first day of your holiday. Check-in at the hotel is available from 15:00.
- Departure time: Please book your departure flight on the final day after 11:00.
- Airport transfers: Bus No. 30 offers a direct 24-hour connection from Dublin Airport to Ballyshannon, while Bus No. 23 connects Dublin Airport with Sligo. A taxi from either Ballyshannon or Sligo to the hotel costs approximately €35.
The single room supplement is available on request and costs £288