Achill Walks Festival / Féile Siúlóidí Acla
Scroll down for details of Achill Tourism's Féile Siúlóidí Acla walks festival on the Bank Holiday Weekend (30th April - 3rd May 2010), or follow this link for details of the 2010 St. Patrick's Day Walks Festival.
"Take only photographs and leave only your footprints."
Achill Island and the Curaun Peninsula are a walker’s paradise with its Majestic Mountains,
Rolling Hills, Blue flag beaches and fantastic scenery. Achill hosts an annual walking festival with 2010 being its eighth festival. All abilities of walkers are catered for and our guides are fully qualified with an abundance of local knowledge and folklore.
The annual walks festival is an opportunity for walkers to meet fellow enthusiasts or for those new to hill walking to enjoy guided walks throughout the island. We adhere to and readily promote the "Leave No Trace Policy", and would encourage all walkers to do so.
2010 Festival Walks Schedule:
Friday April 30th 2010:
Welcome Reception:
Meet fellow walkers and your guides for the weekend to discuss the weekend's activities
Venue: Achill Head Hotel, Pollagh. 9pm.
Saturday May 1st 2010:
Walk A: The Deserted Village & Slievemore
Depart Slievemore Graveyard Car Park at 9am. This walk will take the walker through the Deserted Village before circumnavigating Slievemore Mountain, passing the cove of Dirk (Ooghnadirka). The group will arrive in the village of Dugort about 5 hours into the walk, at which point it will separate: those opting for a challenge will climb to the summit of Slievemore via the ridge and descend on the other side to our starting point. This will be a full day walking,so please ensure you have sufficient food and refreshments. For the second group, they will carry on around the base of Slievemore to The Strand Hotel where they will be collected by minibus and returned to the starting point.
Level: Initially moderate, strenuous
Duration: 6/8 Hrs
Price: €15 adults, €7.50 children
Saturday Evening:
A calendar of social of events will be available. The Heinrich Böll Arts & Cultural Weekend will have a full programme of events running over the weekend.
Sunday May 2nd 2010:
Walk A: Curraun Hill
This walk take place on the Curraun Peninsula. Depart Belfarsed Church at 10am to ascend Curraun Hill, which offers fantastic views of Achill Island, Achill Beg, Clare Island and Clew Bay. The walkers will be able to explore a natural terrace with glaciated features of truncated spurs, hanging valleys and spectacular corrie lakes (23 in total). This walk covered a distance of 12km approximately with a height gain of 600 mtrs.
Level: Moderate
Duration: 6 Hrs
Price: €15 adults, €7.50 children
Walk B: Innisbiggle
Innisbiggle is one of the last inhabited islands off the coast of Achill. It is a great place for bird watching. The island offers unique views of the surrounding mountains of Belmullet and Tonragee.
Walkers will depart from Bullsmouth Slipway at 11am, ready to be transported to Innisbiggle by traditional currach. Walkers will be taken on a guided walk of the island. Your guide will relay information regarding the local history and archaeology of the island.
Level: Easy
Duration: 4 Hrs
Price: €15 adults, €7.50 children
Sunday Evening:
There will be a social night to include a "lecture / slideshow" followed by presentation of certificates. Venue: CFAA, Keel (An Caol), 8pm.
Monday 3rd May 2010:
Walk A: Keem Bay Loop
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. Departure point is 10am at the upper car park, Keem Bay.
Level: Strenous initially / moderate overall
Duration: 3/4 Hrs
Price: €15 adults, €7.50 children
Important Notice:
- Please note that appropriate clothing and footwear must be worn for all walks.
- Bring a packed lunch and a warm drink.
- No dogs allowed on the walks.
- Bring your camera to capture the fantastic scenery.
- Pre-registration is required, charge per walk to be confirmed
- For further details contact Achill Tourism 00 353 (0) 98 47353
Previous Years:
Achill Walks Festival 2009 - Schedule & Photos
Achill Walks Festival 2008 - Schedule
Achill Walks Festival 2007 - Schedule
Achill Walks Festival 2006 - Schedule
Achill Walks Festival 2005 - Schedule
Achill Walks Festival 2004 - Report & Pictures
Achill Walks Festival 2003 - Reports and Pictures
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