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Discover Cooley Peninsula 5-Day hiking Tour
Experience Ireland in all its natural beauty on the Cooley Peninsula 5-Day Hiking Tour. This adventure, which includes luggage transport, offers all the charm and medieval history of the Irish countryside. Spend your days exploring green hills and coastal walks, peeking into ruins and castles, stopping in local pubs and shops, and wandering through the small fishing village of Carlingford.
Conveniently located just 40 minutes from Dublin Airport and Northern Ireland’s Belfast Airport, this tour is ideal for outdoor enthusiasts looking for an unforgettable vacation combining hiking with sightseeing. Each morning you’ll enjoy a hearty breakfast before setting off to discover the hidden gems tucked away all around you. Wander through forests with ancient trees, take in views of stunning coastlines, and get a real taste of traditional Irish culture.
Along the way, you'll be accompanied by experts who provide detailed information about the local area so that you can make the most out of each walking experience – no matter your fitness level or knowledge. And when it's time to rest up after a day on the trail?
Whether it’s for a weekend trip or a longer staycation, this Cooley Peninsula 5-Day Hiking Tour will leave you satisfied at every step!
We also offer an amazing 8-Day Cooley and Mournes Hiking Tour here, or, Check our the 5 day hiking Tour Wicklow
Cooley Peninsula 5 Day Walking Tour
Bed and Breakfast and baggage transfers
Our 5-Day program only covers the Cooley peninsula. Starting in Dundalk and final nights in Carlingford Village. Extra days can be booked in Dundalk (ideal for a day trip to Belfast and/or Dublin, or Carlingford)
Itineraries
Day 1
Arrive in Ireland
Arrive at your first accommodation in Dundalk in County Louth. We recommend flying into Dublin or Belfast airports. There is a regular bus service every hour from the airport to Dundalk.
Overnight Dundalk.
Day 2
Ravensdale – Lumpers (Cooley)
Private transfer to the start of the first walk in Ravensdale forest. A steep climb brings you to Black Mountain & Clairmont Cairn from where you have a fantastic view over the Slieve Gullion and Slieve Foye above Carlingford as well as the Mourne mountains to the Northeast. You will continue to the Lumpers Pub where you will be picked up for a transfer back to your B&B.
Overnight Dundalk.
Walk: 12 km / 4 hours / Forest roads and tracks, Heather and Moore (can be wet underfoot) and quiet country roads
Day 3
Lumpers to Carlingford
Transfer to start of the hike at the Lumpers Pub. Today’s walk brings you across the Cooley Peninsula into the central valley before climbing over the crest of Barnavave and Maeve’s Gap to find Carlingford Village and Carlingford Lough at your feet. Overnight in Carlingford where your baggage awaits.
Walk: 16 km / 5 hours / Forest roads and tracks, Heather and Moore (can be wet underfoot) and quiet country roads.
Day 4
Carlingford lough
From your B&B accommodation in Carlingford we give you a variety of walking options to enjoy. These vary in Length and difficulty and all start and end in the historic medieval village with its many shops, restaurants and cosy pubs. Make sure to sample the famous Carlingford Oysters!
Walk: Various lengths and grades.
Day 8
Departure from Carlingford
Unfortunately, this is the end of your holiday and it is time to return home.
What’s included in our Walking holidays?
- Carefully selected family-run and welcoming B&B accommodation.
- Comfortable en-suite bedrooms.*
- A full Irish breakfast to keep your engines running.
- Complimentary luggage transfers.
- Detailed maps and route notes so you never get lost.
- Local advice on places to visit and where to eat.**
- Full pre-departure info to allow you to prepare for your walking holiday.
- Waterproof map case to keep your documents dry.
- Extra night(s) accommodation booked on request.
- Need information on local transport options? We’re happy to assist!
- 24/7 local emergency contact.
What’s not included?
- Your flights
- Travel and baggage insurance
- Lunches / Evening meals
* Unless already booked out in which case we’ll try to secure a private bathroom.
** You will have the opportunity to purchase picnic lunches and evening meals each day. If you are staying in a remote location, the B&B owner will prepare a tasty surprise for you upon request.
Accommodation
During your self-guided walking holiday in Ireland, you will be accommodated in local family-run guesthouses (B&Bs) or small family-run hotels, where you will encounter a friendly welcome and homely comfort. All our accommodation is approved by Bord Failte – the Irish Tourist Board or the Northern Ireland Tourism Board and are at least 3 stars. Rooms are twin, double or triple en-suite and single rooms are also available on request.
Need anything else?
At Walking Holiday Ireland we pride ourselves in providing a unique experience where we look after all the details of your trip. This allows you to completely immerse yourself in the Irish landscape and culture.
Please do not hesitate to contacts us should you have any additional requirements or needs and we will endeavour to provide these to our best ability.
No details found.
We have listed a few essentials that you will have to bring along and when you make your booking we will send you out a full list of essentials.
Comfortable waterproof walking Boots
Waterproof jacket & over trousers
Waterproof map case
Backpack, lined with plastic bag
Gaiters
Walking poles (It may be possible to provide these locally if requested)
Thick socks / hat / gloves
Water bottle & lunch box
Small torch
First aid
Sunscreen / Insect repellent
Compass / GPS device
and for that special moment, your camera
There are a lot of places where it would be worthwhile to stay an extra night to explore more in the area. We can also book extra nights for you at your tour's start or end. Some of these options can be booked directly on our booking form. Please email us, and we will happily inform you of some available options.
When you book your holiday with us we will send you a full document with all the necessities, and more! Good hiking boots and clothes that can withstand the odd shower are necessary. We hope to have a document for you to download directly available shortly.
We have listed a few essentials that you will have to bring along and when you make your booking we will send you out a full list of essentials.
Comfortable waterproof walking Boots
Waterproof jacket & over trousers
Waterproof map case
Backpack, lined with plastic bag
Gaiters
Walking poles (It may be possible to provide these locally if requested)
Thick socks / hat / gloves
Water bottle & lunch box
Small torch
First aid
Sunscreen / Insect repellent
Compass / GPS device
and for that special moment, your camera
You will be accommodated in family-run guesthouses (B&Bs) or small family-run hotels, where you will encounter a friendly welcome and homely comfort. All our accommodations are approved by Bord Failte and the Irish Tourist Board or the Northern Ireland Tourism Board and are at least 3 stars. Rooms are twin, double or triple en-suite and single rooms are available on request. If an en-suite room is unavailable, you will be advised beforehand.
You are strongly advised to obtain insurance coverage for personal accidents, cancellation charges, medical expenses, loss of money or baggage, travel and personal liability when participating in any of our tours. Walking Holiday Ireland or its servants or agents cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage to your baggage, or any illness or injury while on our tours. We also cannot accept responsibility for any loss or damage resulting from circumstances beyond our control.
Pick the tour you want to join and fill out the online booking form. Within a few days, you will receive confirmation of your booking. When we receive a deposit of 15% to secure the booking we will start putting everything together for you. The final payment is due six weeks before the start of the tour, and you will receive all information on your tour no less than 2 weeks before arrival.
No, that’s not the case! The dominant influence on Ireland’s climate is the Atlantic Ocean. Consequently, Ireland does not suffer from the extremes of temperature experienced by many other countries at similar latitudes. The average annual temperature is about 9 °C. In the middle and east of the country, temperatures tend to be somewhat more extreme than in other parts of the country. For example, the summer means the daily maximum is about 19 °C, and the winter means the daily minimum is about 2.5 °C in these areas. Look at our Irish weather page for more detailed information about the weather in the region where you will be walking.
Swab– :
As a couple, we enjoyed a beautiful walking holiday this summer organised by Cliff Wayenberg of Walking Holiday Ireland. The six days of walking in the Dundalk area, Carlingford and the Mourne Mountains were a good combination of different types of scenery, from easy walking to steep climbings. Walking distances each day is a bit longer and a bit more difficult, giving it a nice challenge every day. B&B’s located in towns with lots to see and to do in the evening, and all with very enthusiastic hosts, willing to fulfil all wishes. We stayed two nights in each B&B, which gives good opportunity to learn more about a city and the B&B
In summary: Very well organized, well balanced and beautiful holiday!
Swab
Els– :
Dutch group nordic walkers enjoyed the very good organised week in Ireland
With 15 nordic walkers, we arrived at the Ballymascanlon Hotel near Dundalk, a very good Hotel in the middle of a Golf course. The whole week we were transferred in a little bus with a private chauffeur. We walked four times (15 – 20 km), with and without Cliff, in the Cooley and Mourne Mountains in Ireland and North Ireland. One evening we met the real Irish musicians. And we eat in a real Irish steak restaurant, The last day we visit Dublin, where we stayed in the middle of the town, very nice. All was very good organised by Cliff Thanks!
Els
Jan Borst– :
Cooley & the Mournes 8 days…
Our first organised walking holiday and we enjoyed every minute of it. Nice trails with beautiful views and very friendly people. When it was too dangerous, because of the heavy fog, to walk the trail as planned there were a lot of good alternatives.
https://ie.trustpilot.com/users/59a669cb0000ff000ac1d8c4
Tineke Schutte de Rijke– :
I was there with my eldest son. We loved the beautiful hills and coast, the Irish people (very kind and helpful) en de B&B’s we visited were nice and clean. Our hostesses prepared us a delicious breakfast every morning: that gave us the energy for our daily hikes
We had an absolutely wonderful time and cannot wait to get back to Ireland soon!
Many thanks!
Tineke