Walking Festivals for the May Bank Holiday
The first Bank Holiday of the summer is nearly here. Memories of over-indulging on Easter eggs are still fresh in our minds. So, we have rounded up some fantastic walking festivals to get you moving over the long weekend.
Walking Festivals for the May Bank Holiday Weekend
Cavan Walking Festival
The Cavan Walking Festival takes place over eight days from 28th April to 5th May 2017. Local trained guides will lead trails, rambles and hikes. All but one of the walks are free of charge. Whether you enjoy a welcome walk and talk or a more strenuous hike, there is something for everyone on the program. A highlight of the festival is the opportunity to explore The Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark. Ranging from rugged uplands, lakes and forests through to gently rolling drumlins, the landscapes of the Geopark represent a complex Earth history dating back as far as 650 million years ago. The Geopark shows evidence of mountain building and destruction, searing hot deserts and warm tropical oceans, of icy wastelands and water-worn caverns. The landscapes of the Geopark are nothing short of amazing.
Ballyhoura Walking Festival
The Ballyhoura International Walking Festival provides an opportunity to explore some of Ballyhoura Country’s stunning vistas. Ballyhoura is situated on the Cork-Limerick border. You will spend the weekend in the company of guides from the Ballyhoura Bears walking club. This Festival features a packed programme of walks for all abilities. The enthusiastic well-equipped walker can relish the challenge of the A & B walks on the Saturday and Sunday morning. Meanwhile the gentle ramblers can enjoy pleasant guided walks in the company of local experts in the fields of heritage, archaeology, history, flora and fauna. The festival organisers have even arranged a restorative yoga class to ease weary muscles. You’ll be back in the office on Tuesday feeling fantastic!
Leenane Mountain Walking Festival
The Leenane Mountain Walking Festival is a great festival in the West that has been designed to suit all levels of walkers, from casual low level walks to the more experienced. You can choose from at least 3 walks each day, graded from strenuous to low level plus an archaeology field trip on the Sunday. This year the programme includes: Mweelrea, Ben Gorm, Derryclare Horseshoe, 12 Bens, Connemara National Park & The Killary Famine Trail. Qualified, experienced guides host each walk. Furthermore all walks are covered by public insurance. Local farmers get involved, another unique element of the festival. They will guide some of the walks and share their vast knowledge, folklore and history of the land. Anyone familiar with this part of Connemara will know how spectacular the scenery is. If you have never visited before, prepare to be awe-struck.
The Kerry Camino Way
The Kerry Camino Way starts on Thursday 27th . You can follow in the footsteps of St Brendan along the Dingle Way. One for experienced walkers, this three-day hike from Tralee to Dingle will be a weekend of unforgettable experiences for those who take part. In addition, the trail has stamping stations along the way. So walkers can have their passports stamped. A journey of contemplation and fun, this Bank Holiday weekend will stay with you forever.
Walkers have their pick of great festivals this weekend. Music lover’s, check out our blog on music festivals.
