Scroll down for links to a series of guides to walks on Achill. Each guide is presented in PDF format, allowing them to be easily printed. You will need PDF reader software, such as Abobe Acrobat Reader, to view and print these documents. Most modern browsers and operating systems include Adobe Reader as standard, but if the links below do not work you may need to download the latest version of Adobe reader.
Walk A - Keem Bay
A circular walk taking in the cliffs of Keem Bay, one of the most spectacular valleys in Ireland. Features of interest include the Watch House at Moyteoge Head, Bunowna booley village and the ruins of Captain Charles Boycott's estate.
Distance: 7km
Aggregate Height Gain: 374m
Estimated Time: 2hrs 20mins
Grade: Strenuous initially, Moderate overall.
Walk A - Keem Bay (English, PDF file, 432KB)
Walk B - Dooagh
This circular walk begins and ends in the village of Dooagh and features of interest include Lough Accorrymore, the booley village of Tamhnach Mor, Lough Nakeeroge (Annagh) and a Signal Tower.
Distance: 12.5km
Aggregate Height Gain: 379m
Estimated Time: 3hrs 40mins
Grade: Moderate
Walk B - Dooagh (English, PDF file, 212KB)
Walk C - Dooagh / Keel
A circular walk starting at Dooagh strand and following the shoreline to Keel. It continues inland to the Deserted Village at Slievemore and returns along a bog road to Dooagh. Points of interest include Gubalennaun Beg, Purteen Pier and the Deserted Village. This walk includes uneven coastal terrain and one section is tidal.
Distance: 12.5km
Aggregate Height Gain: Insignificant
Estimated Time: 3hrs 5mins
Grade: Moderate
Walk C - Dooagh / Keel (English, PDF file, 209KB)
Siúlóid C - Dumhach Achadh / An Caol (As Gaeilge, PDF file, 209KB)
Walk D - Keel-Trawmore Loop
This easy circular walk begins at the caravan park in Keel and passes by Keel Lough and Achill Golf Club before going through the village of Dookinelly and emerging at the eastern end of Trawmore strand. After crossing the river via stepping stones or a metal bridge, it follows the beach back to the start point. Points of interest include the memorial to Fr. Manus Sweeney.
Distance: 8km
Aggregate Height Gain: Insignificant
Estimated Time: 1hr 50mins
Grade: Easy
Walk D - Keel-Trawmore Loop (English, PDF file, 315KB)
Walk E - The Slievemore Loop
This moderate grade walk begins and ends at McDowell's Hotel, at the base of Slievemore mountain. It climbs to a height of about 60m, from which point the view is spectacular. Points of interest include a megalithic tomb, ancient graveyard and the Deserted Village.
Distance: 4.5km
Aggregate Height Gain: 60m
Estimated Time: 1hr 10mins
Grade: Moderate
Walk E - The Slievemore Loop (English, PDF file, 192KB)
Siúlóid E - Bun Slaibh Mór (As Gaeilge, PDF file, 209KB)
Walk F - The Doogort Loop
This circular walk is graded easy and can be completed in about 2 hours. Beginning at the Slievemore Hotel in Dugort, it passes the historic Mission Colony and Heinrich Boll's cottage before turning across open land through a col or hollow between two hills. It returns to the eastern end of Dugort village before following the beach and road back to the starting point.
Distance: 9km
Aggregate Height Gain: Insignificant
Estimated Time: 2hrs 5mins
Grade: Easy
Walk F - The Doogort Loop (English, PDF file, 187KB)
Siúlóid F - Dumhach Goirt (As Gaeilge, PDF file, 187KB)
The above guides are taken from the publication 'Siúlóidí Acla - A Guide To Walking in Achill'. This booklet, first published in 2000, is now out of print. We would like to acknowledge the work of the Achill Tourism Committee 2000 in compiling and producing the walking guides, in particular Treasa Ní Ghearraigh for the text and Uinsúonn Mac Graith for the maps.
