Join a group of NOLS grads and instructors for a week of spectacular walking along Ireland’s stunning west coast as we trek between small hotels and B&B’s during the Emerald Isle’s late summer.

Connecting our string of inns gives us the chance to savor Irish cuisine and culture while mixing with other, mostly European travelers, in a comfortable setting. Sleeping and dining in Irish Inns allows us to considerably lighten our packs for our daily hikes (average move is ~5 miles) along the green valleys, rocky peaks and wild coast of this romantic area.

The trip starts and ends in the quaint city of Ennis where traditional Irish music is everywhere. Participants can fly  in and out of Shannon, or Dublin. Consider staying extra days on either end of the trip to explore the sights of Ireland.

As a group from Ennis, we will take a series of trains, busses, shuttles and ferries as we connect our hiking segments.

The trip spends 5-nights in the “field” at inns, and 6-days hiking as well as a hotel night on either end in historic Ennis. Unlike a standard NOLS expedition, we won’t carry cook gear, or heavy rations—even pads and sleeping bags are not needed at the inns—but we’ll do “real” trail walking up and down varied terrain with our light packs.

This trip will re-acquaint you with NOLS skills in a convivial, relaxing and visually stunning location. Instruction is geared to your interests, with optional walk-up peaks, Gaelic “word(s) of the day,” time for journal-writing, experiencing traditional Irish music and dance, photography, and more. Of course, non-alumni adult friends and family members are also invited— this is a great way to introduce NOLS to your sidekicks.

Overall Difficulty*:

*Enjoy variable hikes, light packs, and upscale inns along the Emerald Isle’s coast.