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The
Donegal Trail is an unguided trail ride.
You can ride the Donegal Trail only with a minimum of two riders.
We are offering wonderful
self lead trails
but it is not advisable to go alone, we
prefer it if you are a minimum of 2 people, however, if a Trail
is really what you would like to do we are offering you, with
our help, the possibility to find a suitable companion whom you
could get to know before you travel
Meeting Page
From
Station to Station
1.
From Barnsmore Gap to Mrs Logue, Letterhillue
2.
From Ms Logue to Michael & Mary Ward,
Glenties
3.
From the Wards to Mrs Breege McGill, Fintown
4.
From Fintown to Mary Sharp in Mamie's Cottage
5.
From Clooney to Michael und Mary Ward,
Glenties
6.
From Glenties to Terry Coyle, Inver
Day 1: Letterhillue
Bogland
and hand-knitted Sweaters
Around lunchtime we set off from the Horse Holiday Farm. In the
morning you have a lot to do to prepare for the adventures ahead
of you.
Your horse has to be taken care of, fed and groomed. Saddlebags
have to be packed properly. Don't be afraid: everything you really
need on your trail fits into our saddlebags.
Many riders who came before you can vouch for that.
We will drive you and your horse from the farm into County Donegal.
After about an hour we drop you at the starting point of the first
day of your trail.
Follow the yellow arrows and
check
the route on your map
from time to time. Depending on how
fast you ride you will arrive at Mrs. Logue's after about four
to five hours after a lovely trek across bog land and through
forests. An excellent dinner waits for you. Mrs. Logue owns a
modern farmhouse and you and your horse will be able to enjoy
the best facilities. And if you talk to Mrs.Logue about Irish
sweaters there might be a bit of a fashion show after dinner!.
Day 2: Glenties
Secluded Mountains, Glen Tavern and an impressive Waterfall
You will start
the day with an opulent breakfast of muesli, cornflakes, bacon
and egg, which gives you the strength for a day's riding, long
and full of excitement. The trail goes through the Blue Stack
Mountains - secluded, majestic, wild and romantic. You will enjoy
picturesque views and impressive scenery. The only living souls
you meet along the way are sheep and birds. Enjoy the tranquillity
and the wind, which accompanies you on your way.
Care for
some adventure?! High up in the mountains it needs a bit of courage
to follow the signposted trail which crosses boggy terrain. Don't
worry, though, the horses are familiar with the area and will
carry you safely across.
Hungry? Thirsty?
After a few adventurous hours everybody welcomes a rest. Riding
down the mountain you will pass an impressive waterfall and arrive
at the welcoming Glen Tavern. Allow the horses to relax for a
short while and enjoy a pint of Guinness or a pot of tea yourself.
It will do all of you good.
You still
have a few hours riding ahead of you. Don't say you are tired
already - the Ward family expects you to enjoy their sumptuous
evening meal.
Day 3: Fintown
Romantic River Trail
Enjoy your
hearty breakfast. The Wards know exactly what kind of a day you
will have and a good breakfast will help you to manage those hours
in the saddle. They will be glad to discuss the route with you
before you leave and then a long and exciting trail lies ahead
of you.
At the beginning
you follow an old railway line which is not used anymore, then
you ride on the road and finally you reach a mysterious river
and forest area, ride along the shores of beautiful Lough Finn
and into the Gaeltacht area (Gaelic spoken as well as English).
First of all we want to show you our magical forest. Just be careful
that you don't loose your way. Fairies and elves seem to hide
behind the trees. There are no threatening goblins, though, are
there? The area seems to come straight out of a fairytale book.
In the evening
you will rest your weary bones in Fintown. Mrs. Breege McGill
knows her riders very well and what they need to revive them again
- a lovely meal and a friendly chat.
4. Tag. Clooney
Overnight in an Irish Cottage
Soon you'll get closer to the sea, which you can see in the distance
already, the bright sunshine lighting up the waves, but you'll
still have to wait a while yet. Today you will have the chance
to decide what you like better - riding in the mountains, through
forests or on the beach. This tour offers a wide variety of scenery,
new perspectives and exciting views, wonderful isolated area with
such peace you cannot imagine. Did you ever see such a beautiful
beach before? We are sure that you won't be able to resist galloping
on the empty sandy beaches, which is a great pleasure. Enjoyment
and excitement is the order of the day!
We promise
that you will encounter the most beautiful beaches you every saw
on the other side of the peninsula beyond the Gweebarra River,
white sand as far as your eyes can see. How about a gallop?
Mrs. Mary
Shark will be waiting for you, her guests will have a lot to tell
her and she will listen attentively. Today you are staying in
a real Irish Cottage, comfortable and cosy beneath a warm thatched
roof. You didn't forget your camera, did you?!?
You are on
"shore leave" tonight. The Sharks will drive you to the next village
where you will be able to eat in a picturesque restaurant or a
typical pub. And if you are lucky the evening will be perfect.
Music tonight. You'll have the chance to join in the dancing and
enjoy the cheerful locals around you.
5. Tag. Glenties
White Beaches and quiet Bogland
Say Goodbye
to the sea? That's hard. Maybe you should change your timing slightly
and take two or three hours for another ride along the sea or
through the lovely mud flats when the tide is out.
Then it's
back to the Ward residence which you will reach after riding through
picturesque mountains. You have time to stop en route, pause for
a moment above Lough Laragh and take a look back to Gweebarra
Bay and enjoy the lovely view which is breathtaking: mountains,
rivers, bogland and the glittering sea in the distance. You will
still remember it when you continue on your quiet trail.
Day 6: Inver
Weary Bones and a long Trail through the heather
Slept well? Had a nice breakfast? Today it is especially important
to be in top form since this is the day with the longest trail
of the entire week, but aches and pains are long forgotten anyway
and after a full Irish Breakfast you are wide awake and ready
to prove that you are well able to manage any adventurous trail.
Bogland as far as you can see - dark muddy water and green grass.
The scenery looks totally different again. Make the most of your
last day, which ends at Terry and June Coyle's Cloverhill House,
again on the beach, at Inver.
Day 7: Grange
Farewell to Equine Friends
Unfortunately, the week has come to end quickly. Time to remember
all the lovely days and different experiences. Before lunch we
collect you from Terry's and drive you and your horse back to
the Horse Holiday Farm. Hopefully, you still have enough time
to say Goodbye to your equine friend. You will probably shed a
tear or two when you watch your horse grazing for the last time.
And we are pretty sure that you will quietly tell him that
you'll back soon ….
Tilman and
Colette Anhold
Horse Holiday Farm Ltd.
Grange
County Sligo
Ireland
Telephone
: (071) 9166152
Fax : (071) 9166400
From Europe
and the UK:
Telephone : 00 353 71 9166152
Fax : 00 353 71 9166400
From the
USA:
Telephone : 011 353 71 9166152
Fax : 011 353 71 9166400
Email : [email protected]
Form: enquiries-reservations
Location and airports
The Horse Holiday Farm is Bord Fáilte (Irish Tourist
Board) approved and
a member of A.I.R.E., the Association of Irish Riding Establishments.
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