Island Hopping Tours

Dotting the Irish coast of the Wild Atlantic Way and the Causeway Coast of Northern Ireland, find a number of islands ideal for outdoor lovers. Explore Ireland from a new perspective by blending hiking and island hopping. The gentle, rolling terrain of Ireland’s islands makes for gentle hikes that are accessible to all outdoor enthusiasts. Explore anything from dramatic cliffs and bizarre sea stacks to colonies of puffins, remote lighthouses, abandoned villages and settlements once home to monks (and Jedi!) on our hiking trips.

Hiking & Island Hopping
Cork & Kerry

Easy Difficulty: Green 2

• Explore southwest Ireland with gentle guided hikes, visiting three islands and four peninsulas.
• Climb the ancient stone steps up the island of Skellig Michael, a UNESCO World Heritage site and Star Wars filming location.
• Explore remote islands where the Gaeltacht (Irish-speaking) culture and tradition are still strong.
• Visit the eerie, now-abandoned Blasket Islands, once recognised for its strong literary tradition.
• Spot puffins and other sea birds along the island shores.

Explore this Itinerary

Hiking & Island Hopping
Ireland’s West Coast

Easy Difficulty: Green 2

• Visit four islands along Ireland’s west coast of Galway and Clare.
• Discover a dramatic Cromwellian fort on Inisbofin island.
• Hear tales of the legendary Pirate Queen on Clare Island.
• Sail under the Cliffs of Moher en route to the Aran Islands, bastions of Irish language.
• Traverse causeways to tidal islands.
• Visit other iconic sites like Killary Fjord, the wild Burren National Park, and Croagh Patrick – Ireland’s Holy Mountain.

Explore this Itinerary

Hiking the Causeway
Coast & Donegal

Easy Difficulty: Green 3

• Hike iconic Irish landscapes, including UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Giant’s Causeway.
• Island hopping to Rathlin Island in search of myths and puffins.
• Walk Ireland’s most northernly peninsula and Star Wars filming location, Malin Head, where mountains meet sea.
• Hike through rugged Donegal, once voted National Geographic’s Coolest Place on Earth.
• Follow in the footsteps of Game of Thrones, Narnia, and more.

Explore this Itinerary

Perhaps you prefer to visit Ireland by bike. While many of Ireland’s islands are small, that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a bit of two-wheeled exploration! The Aran Islands, in particular, are a perfect example, as no cars are allowed on the islands (except those belonging to island residents). Or challenge yourself with an epic journey biking through the five amazing and differing countries that make up the UK and Ireland in order to experience the incredibly diverse landscapes, cultures and history of these vastly different regions.

Bike Tour
Ireland’s West Coast

Easy Difficulty: Green 3

• Bike in Connemara National Park and along the famous Sky Road
• Enjoy a two nights island retreat on the Aran Islands – after the day-tripping tourists leave, you’ll have the islands all to yourselves.
• Stand atop the edge of the Cliffs of Moher and discover why the otherworldly Burren National Park is the hidden treasure of West Ireland.

Explore this Itinerary

The Five
Countries

Intermediate difficulty: Blue 6

• Pedal through the fantastic five countries of Great Britain & Ireland. 
• Experience the various cultures, traditions and landscapes of these 5 different regions as you pedal through beautiful panoramas.
• Explore the roads made famous by the Tour de France, Tour of Britain and Tour of Ireland. 

Explore this Itinerary

For adventurous families, take an active trip to Ireland on one of our family adventures. Discover Ireland’s wild corners with activities fun for the whole family, such as biking, hiking, foraging, paddling and other fun workshops. And in the mix, on each trip, you’ll get to visit an island too – from a pirate’s stronghold to a puffin colony or even the unbeatable Skellig Michael, your family will have the adventure of a lifetime.

Family Adventure
Legends of the Southwest

Difficulty: At your own pace

• Create hand-made toys and learn about the past on a ghost tour
• Climb Skellig Michael, ancient home to monks and Star Wars Jedi
• Hike and kayak in the shadow of smugglers and pirates

Explore this Itinerary

Family Adventure
Giants, Myths and Legends

Difficulty: At your own pace

• Relax on an island retreat that is home to a puffin colony.
• Enjoy a family canoe expedition, seaweed foraging, and whiskey tasting.
• Hike along the Causeway Coast rated Lonely Planet’s Top 2018 Destination.

Explore this Itinerary

Family Adventure
Paddling
and Pirates

Difficulty: At your own pace

• Island hop to the Pirate Queen’s stronghold and try your hand at stand-up-paddling.
• Learn bushcraft and seashore foraging skills as you explore the wild Irish coastline.
• Follow a pilgrimage path on horseback in St Patrick’s footsteps.

Explore this Itinerary