Frequently Asked Questions

You can book directly through our website by selecting your preferred tour and clicking 'Book Now', or use the 'Trip Enquiry' form to contact us first. A non-refundable deposit of 25% of the invoice is required at the time of booking to secure your place.

The total balance is due 42 days (6 weeks) prior to your holiday start date. If payment is not received by this deadline, Walking Holiday Ireland reserves the right to cancel the booking and retain the deposit.

Yes. An invoice will be sent once your booking is confirmed, which serves as your contract with Walking Holiday Ireland.

For summer departures (June-August), we recommend booking 9-11 months in advance, as popular trails fill quickly and accommodation books up fast. For spring and autumn departures, 3-6 months is generally sufficient.

The following charges apply for customer cancellations: more than 6 weeks before the start date - loss of deposit only; 6 to 4 weeks before - 50% of the tour cost; 4 to 2 weeks before - 80% of the tour cost; less than 2 weeks before - 100% of the tour cost.

Yes, modifications are possible but subject to an administration fee of EUR50 per booking plus any additional costs. Modifications are not possible within 2 weeks of the tour start date. Please contact us as soon as possible to discuss changes.

If we cancel your tour, you will receive a full refund of all monies paid. However, we will not be liable for additional costs you may have incurred, such as flights or other travel arrangements. We reserve the right to modify or cancel tours up to four weeks before the start date due to unforeseen circumstances or lack of minimum participants for guided tours.

If cancellation or modifications are made due to force majeure events - such as severe weather, political unrest, or natural disasters - no compensation beyond the refund of tour payments will be offered.

You can reach Walking Holiday Ireland by phone at +353 42 932 3396, by email at info@walkingholidayireland.com, or via the contact form on our website. Our address is A91 NN24, Co. Louth, Ireland.

Our self-guided tours include: carefully selected family-run B&B accommodation, comfortable en-suite bedrooms (where available), a full Irish breakfast each morning, complimentary luggage transfers between accommodations, detailed maps and route notes, local advice on places to visit and eat, full pre-departure information, a waterproof map case, and 24/7 local emergency contact support. Extra nights and local transport information can be arranged on request.

The tour price does not include flights, travel and baggage insurance, lunches, or evening meals.

Yes. Our tours include a digital route guide with GPS navigation, offline maps, and local insights via our mobile app, so you can navigate confidently even without mobile signal.

Yes. Our team provides 24/7 local emergency contact support throughout your tour. If you encounter any difficulties on the trail or with your accommodation, you can reach us at any time.

Evening meals are not included in the standard tour price. Your B&B hosts can usually recommend nearby restaurants, and many guesthouses can arrange an evening meal on request.

Lunches are not included. However, you will typically have the opportunity to purchase picnic lunches, and we provide local advice on where to eat along the route.

On a self-guided tour, you walk independently using our detailed maps, route notes, and GPS app, with your luggage transferred each day and 24/7 support available. A guided tour provides a local expert guide who walks with you, shares local knowledge, stories and history, and ensures you stay on track and safe. Guided tours also include built-in companionship with fellow walkers.

For first-time visitors, a guided tour is often recommended, as it provides expert support, helps you learn the trails, and offers the chance to meet other walkers. Experienced hikers frequently prefer the freedom and flexibility of self-guided tours at their own pace.

Absolutely. Self-guided holidays are designed around your pace and preferences. You can linger at viewpoints, take detours, stop for a longer lunch, or finish early - it is entirely your choice. There are no fixed group schedules to follow.

Yes. Guided tours may have minimum participant requirements. Walking Holiday Ireland reserves the right to cancel a guided tour up to four weeks before the start date if minimum participant numbers are not reached, in which case a full refund is provided.

We carefully select family-run B&Bs and guesthouses known for warm Irish hospitality. All accommodations are chosen for quality and comfort, and most include en-suite bedrooms and a full Irish breakfast.

En-suite bedrooms are provided wherever possible. In rare cases where en-suite rooms are already booked, we will try to secure a private bathroom for you.

Yes. Extra night accommodation can be booked on request, and we are happy to assist with arranging this. Note that additional nights outside the standard itinerary are not covered by the luggage transfer service.

When confirming your accommodation, it is useful to request: direct contact details for the proprietor, confirmation that luggage transfers are arranged, exact check-in and check-out times, available facilities (hot water, laundry, packed lunch options), and local walking information.

Your bags are collected from your accommodation each morning and transported by vehicle to your next night's stop, arriving before you do. You walk with just a light daypack (10-15 litres) carrying water, snacks, maps, and sun protection. This makes the walking far more enjoyable and reduces injury risk.

Yes. Each customer is entitled to one piece of luggage with a maximum weight of 15kg to be transferred during the walking tour. Loads exceeding 15kg may be refused.

No. Luggage transfers are only included along the designated walking route and standard itinerary. Extra night accommodations outside the planned itinerary are not covered by the luggage transfer service.

A daypack of 30-40 litres is ideal for self-guided tours with luggage transfer. This gives you enough space for water, snacks, maps, sun protection, a waterproof jacket, and any personal items you need during the day.

Flights and transport to Ireland are not included in the tour price. We are happy to provide information on local transport options to and from the start and end points of your chosen route. Most routes start in or near a town with good public transport links to Dublin or Cork airports.

Our 8-day Dingle Way tour starts in Tralee and ends in Annascaul. On the final day, you take the public bus from Annascaul back to Tralee. Alternatively, tours can start in Dingle town if preferred.

The Kerry Way starts and ends in Killarney. Our 8-day tour covers the most scenic highlights of the route, starting with an arrival day in Killarney.

Most walkers can comfortably cover 15-20km daily over moderate terrain. Trails like the Kerry Way and Dingle Way demand good stamina and hill-walking experience due to challenging ascents. Gentler options include the Barrow Way and sections of the Burren Way. Honestly assess your current fitness and research the elevation profiles and daily distances of your chosen route before booking.

The Barrow Way and the Burren Way are among the most gentle options, with flatter terrain and manageable daily distances. The Wicklow Way (5-day version) is also a good introduction for walkers with moderate fitness. Our team can help you choose the right route based on your experience level.

The Kerry Way (214km, with significant ascents) and the Dingle Way (particularly the exposed sections around Slea Head and Brandon Mountain) are among the more demanding routes. These require good hill-walking experience and solid stamina.

Start training 8-12 weeks before your trip. Gradually increase walking distances each week, including some hill walking if your route involves ascents. Break in your boots thoroughly during training - they should feel comfortable before you depart. Include some back-to-back walking days to prepare for consecutive days on the trail.

Yes, Ireland is generally very safe for solo hikers. The waymarked trails are well-used, and local communities are welcoming. Our 24/7 support system and GPS tracking ensure solo walkers always have backup. Always carry a fully charged phone, let someone know your planned route, and check weather forecasts before heading out.

Yes. All of our self-guided tours are open to solo travellers with no minimum group size. Solo walkers are very welcome, and many of our customers walk independently. A single supplement may apply for solo room occupancy - please enquire when booking.

Many of our customers are solo female travellers who feel completely safe and supported on our tours. Ireland has a very welcoming culture, the trails are well-frequented, and our 24/7 support team is always a call away. We can also advise on the safest routes and accommodations for solo travellers.

Yes. We regularly accommodate dietary requirements including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and other dietary needs. Please inform us when booking so we can advise your accommodations in advance. Irish B&Bs are generally happy to cater for dietary needs with advance notice.

Yes. We regularly modify hiking tours to accommodate mobility needs, fitness levels, and special interests. Just ask when enquiring or booking - we are a small, flexible team and are happy to discuss adaptations.

Yes. We offer custom group hiking tours in addition to individual and couples' tours. There is no upper limit on group size for self-guided tours. Please contact us to discuss bespoke group itineraries and pricing.

Some of our routes are suitable for families with older children who are comfortable with the daily distances. Please discuss your children's ages and fitness when enquiring, and we will advise on the most appropriate route and itinerary.

Yes. Toddlers aged 2 and under may receive a discount of up to 80%, assuming the child shares a room with their parents (a copy of the child's passport must be provided). Children aged 3-12 may receive a discount of up to 20%, with a deposit of EUR100 per child required. Discounts cannot be combined with other offers and apply to the base tour price only.

The most important items are: a quality waterproof jacket and trousers (essential in Irish weather), well-fitted and broken-in hiking boots, merino wool or synthetic base layers (avoid cotton), a comfortable daypack, paper maps and compass, a GPS device or smartphone with offline maps, sun protection, and a fully charged power bank. Trekking poles are optional but helpful for longer descents.

Well-fitted, waterproof hiking boots are essential. Begin breaking them in 8-10 weeks before your trip, gradually increasing your walking distances in them. By departure, they should feel familiar and comfortable. Test them in wet and uneven conditions similar to Irish terrain. Many experienced walkers also carry blister treatment just in case.

Trekking poles are optional but can be very useful, particularly on long descents where they reduce stress on your knees. They also provide stability on uneven or boggy terrain. Try them during training walks before committing to carrying them on your holiday.

A quality waterproof and windproof jacket is the single most important gear investment for hiking in Ireland. You will also want waterproof trousers. Look for breathable, lightweight options so you stay comfortable when working hard uphill. Gaiters are also useful on boggy or muddy sections to keep mud and stones out of your boots.

Summer (June-August) is the most popular season with temperatures reaching 18-20C, daylight extending until 10pm, and less frequent rainfall. However, trails are busier and accommodation books up quickly. Autumn (September-October) is considered ideal by many experienced walkers with fewer crowds, stunning golden landscapes, and generally stable weather in September. Spring (April-May) offers fresh, uncrowded trails. Winter walking is possible but demands experience.

Ireland has a famously changeable Atlantic climate - rain is possible at any time of year. The saying goes: If you don't like the weather, wait five minutes. Pack full waterproofs regardless of the season. Many walkers experience some wet weather during their trip, but this is part of the authentic Irish walking experience and rarely spoils the adventure.

Winter is not recommended for inexperienced walkers. Daylight is very limited (sunset as early as 4pm in December), temperatures hover around 8C, trails can be muddy and slippery, and some remote sections are isolated. Winter hiking is best suited to experienced walkers who are comfortable with challenging conditions and shorter daylight hours.

All tours include detailed route notes, paper maps (with a waterproof map case), and access to our GPS navigation app with offline maps. Ireland's waymarked trails are generally well-signed. Our 24/7 support team is also available if you need guidance.

Stay calm and stop walking. Use your map and GPS to identify your last known position. If you cannot safely navigate back, call our 24/7 emergency support line. In a genuine emergency, contact Irish emergency services on 112 or 999.

Ireland's waymarked long-distance trails are generally well-signed. However, some mountain areas have less consistent waymarking, so it is important to carry a paper map and compass as backup. Our route notes highlight any sections that require extra attention.

Mobile coverage is generally good in populated areas but can be patchy in mountain and remote regions. We recommend downloading offline maps before you set out each day and carrying a fully charged power bank. Our route notes highlight areas with limited coverage.

Always carry multiple navigation options: detailed paper maps at 1:50,000 scale, a compass, and your GPS device or smartphone with offline maps downloaded. No single method is foolproof - paper maps work when batteries fail, and GPS works when conditions make map reading difficult. Learn basic navigation skills, including how to read contour lines and take a compass bearing, before your trip.

Yes. Travel insurance is mandatory for all participants. Your policy must cover cancellations, personal accidents, illness, loss of possessions, and any medical costs that may arise during the tour - including emergency evacuation if needed. Walking Holiday Ireland does not review insurance policies for suitability, but reserves the right to request proof of insurance.

Your policy should cover: trip cancellation, personal accident and illness, emergency medical expenses (including helicopter rescue), loss or damage of personal belongings, and hiking/walking activities at the relevant difficulty level. Many standard travel policies exclude hillwalking - check the small print before purchasing.

We offer self-guided walking holidays on seven main routes: the Dingle Way (8 days), Kerry Way (8 days), Wicklow Way (5, 7, 8, or 10 days), Barrow Way (5 or 8 days), Burren Way (5, 6, 7, or 8 days), Causeway Coast/Antrim Glens (5 or 8 days), and the Cooley and Mournes (5 or 8 days). Tailor-made and custom itineraries are also available on request.

The Dingle Way is our most popular route, closely followed by the Wicklow Way. The Dingle Way offers dramatic Wild Atlantic coastline, ancient history at Slea Head, and charming villages like Annascaul and Dingle town.

The full Wicklow Way is 127 kilometres. We offer it in versions of 5, 7, 8, and 10 days to suit different fitness levels and time available.

The Kerry Way is Ireland's longest signposted walking trail at 214 kilometres (133 miles). It follows an anti-clockwise loop around the Iveragh Peninsula, starting and ending in Killarney. Our tour covers the most scenic highlights over 8 days.

Yes. Walking Holiday Ireland is a small, flexible family-run team and we love creating bespoke journeys. If you want to adjust a standard itinerary, add rest days, extend your stay, or combine routes, just get in touch and we will plan it around your needs.

Yes. Our tours span the entire island - both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The Causeway Coast and Antrim Glens tour, for example, explores some of Northern Ireland's most dramatic coastal scenery.