The Sliabh Liag Peninsula – 5 Night Self-Guided Hiking Tour
Discover Ireland’s most dramatic coastline around the Sliabh Liag Cliffs. Wild, untamed and less visited than many other parts of Ireland, the area is the ultimate get-away-from-it-all destination.
Tour Overview
Marvel at towering cliffs, hidden bays, golden sandy beaches, blanket bogs and heather-covered hills. Explore a myriad of historic sites dating from the Stone Age to the present. This single-centre tour is based in the charming village of Carrick, allowing you to unpack once and explore the dramatic Sliabh Liag Peninsula at your own pace.
Duration
6 Days/5 Nights
Tour Price
From €849
Season
March – September
Terrain
Very hilly
Peak Season Supplement
€50
Single Occupancy
€210
Tour Highlights
The breathtaking hike along the cliff top at Sliabh Liag – Follow the cliff edge high above the Atlantic with awe-inspiring views of the coast and the sea far below.
Ancient history at Glencolmcille – Explore pre and early-Christian sites in this historic valley where St. Colmcille once walked.
Traditional Gaelic culture in Carrick Village – Experience authentic Irish hospitality and perhaps catch a legendary local music session.
The stunning but less visited Glen Head – An unforgettable coastal hike where you’ll likely find yourself alone among the towering rocks and sea stacks.
Golden sandy beaches at Muckross and Glencolmcille – Perfect for a refreshing dip or a peaceful seaside walk.
Tour Photos
Tour Itinerary
Make your way to the small village of Carrick – the gateway to Sliabh Liag. Explore the village and the surrounding area. Traditional music has always been central to life in Carrick. If you are lucky you might catch one of the legendary music sessions.
Explore one of the most iconic attractions of the Wild Atlantic Way. Follow the cliff edge high above the Atlantic to the ruins of the early-Christian monastery dramatically located close to the summit of the mountain. The views from around the monastery are simply jaw dropping, with the great sweep of land to the east and the ocean far below to the west. Leave the mountain and descend to the village of Teelin, by way of the Pilgrims Path; the route taken by the faithful who followed in the footsteps of the early monks.
Distance: 10/12 km | Elevation gain: Approx 550 metres | Terrain: Mountain paths and open mountain. Proper hiking boots and clothing required.
Leaving Carrick – follow Slí Cholmcille (The Way of St. Colmcille) towards the valley that bears his name. Stop at the 5,000 year old Cloghanmore Court Tomb. Follow a gravel path over the hills to Glencolmcille where wonderful coastal views await. Descend to historic Glencolmcille where you can explore the pre and early-Christian sites in the valley.
Distance: 12 km | Elevation gain: Approx 380 metres | Terrain: Grassy trails – sometimes wet, secondary roads, unpaved paths.
An unforgettable day’s hiking, that few experience. From Glencolmcille village climb to the Napoleonic era signal tower on Glen Head. The cliff on which the tower stands drops straight into the ocean far below, while the views over the rugged Donegal coast stretch out in all directions. From the lookout follow the breathtaking coast to the deserted fishing hamlet of Port. Return to your starting point in Glencolmcille via “Slí Cholmcille” (St Colmcille’s Way).
Distance: 15 km | Elevation gain: Approx 490 metres | Terrain: Open hills and boglands, gravel trails, paved minor roads.
In the morning transfer to beautiful Muckross Head where at low tide it is possible to explore the shoreline with its abundant marine life. Follow the narrow road along the coast to the village of Kilcar. Kilcar is a centre for traditional weaving. Studio Donegal located in the heart of the village will let you see this traditional craft, handed down through generations. From Kilcar, follow more spectacular coast, overlooking the ring forts that once guarded the coast back to Carrick.
Distance: Approx 10 km | Elevation gain: Approx 220 metres | Terrain: Narrow paved roads. Unpaved tracks.
After breakfast it is time to leave. Time to say Slán go fóill. We will happily help you plan your onward journey. Hopefully we will see you soon again.
Additional Information
2026 Dates
Tours available: March to September 2026
Peak Season: 29 May 2026 – 22 August 2026
Prices
Price Per Person Sharing: €849
Peak Season: €899
Single Occupancy: €210
Solo Traveller Supplement: €100
Included in the Tour Price
- 5 nights bed and breakfast accommodation
- Orientation meeting on arrival
- Transfer to/from start/end of hike where applicable
- Mobile app with routes and information
- Comprehensive guide booklet
- Emergency support
Not Included
- Travel to and from start/finish of tour (Carrick)
- Meals other than breakfast
- Entertainment
- Entry to sites and attractions
We use carefully selected Bed and Breakfasts and small guesthouses. All are family-run establishments where you’ll receive a warm Irish welcome. Rooms have private bathrooms, and hosts are experienced in catering for hikers’ needs, including early breakfasts where required.
Choose a single, double, twin (two single beds), or family (one double and one single bed) room. All rooms have their own private bathroom.
The village of Carrick is easily accessible from Dublin Airport. Regular direct buses connect Dublin Airport and City with Donegal Town. From there local bus services connect to Carrick.
From Dublin Airport and Dublin City
By Bus: Direct buses (route 30/X30) run to Donegal Town from Dublin Airport and City. For timetables see expressway.ie – Look for route 30/X30
From Donegal Town to Carrick
Local services connect Donegal Town to Carrick. See Locallink Route 293 and Bus Eireann Route 490.
Who is this tour suitable for?
This tour is suitable for anyone with a reasonable level of fitness. The distances you hike each day vary from moderate to longer (typically 10 – 15 km). However, it is important to note that the routes are very hilly and the underfoot conditions can vary greatly.
What hiking experience do I need?
It is important that you are a competent hiker. You must be comfortable with hiking on various terrains including exposed mountains and cliffs, and sometimes wet underfoot conditions.
Are the routes hilly?
The routes on this hiking tour are VERY hilly (this is partly why it is so beautiful.) The gradient varies constantly from gentle to very steep. The routes include climbs of Sliabh Liag and Glen Head. For this reason you must be comfortable with hiking in steep terrain.
What will the underfoot conditions be like?
The routes on this tour follow a variety of small roads and gravel trails, as well as exposed hills and mountains. The underfoot conditions vary greatly. It is important that you bring suitable footwear. Depending on the time of year some of the trails may be quite wet, so waterproof boots are essential.
Reserve Now
Ready to book your Sliabh Liag Peninsula hiking adventure? Click below to request a booking.
For any questions, please contact us at hiking@irelandbybike.com or call +353 87 2118638.
Customer Reviews
“Just finished the 10 day Backroads and Beyond bike/hike tour with Ireland by Bike. Let me highly recommend Seamus and Nora who organized a wonderful trip – spectacular scenery, quiet roads, good bikes, welcoming bnbs, lovely hikes, and friendly people all over Donegal. The weather was kind to us, and a reasonable level of fitness required for biking and hiking. Thanks Ireland by Bike”
“We just completed a marvellous 12 day tour of County Donegal that included fantastic hikes and memorable biking on mostly quiet routes along the Wild Atlantic Way. With Seamus and Nora booking our B and B’s and transporting our bags, we were free to travel and explore to our hearts content. We enjoyed perfect biking weather, warm Irish hospitality, comfortable bikes and beds, wonderful Irish breakfasts, and a Guinness or two. We toured castles, mills, weaving studios, beaches, and graveyards, learning the history of this beautiful land. We would highly recommend this trip to anyone who wanted to explore on bike. 2 couples travelling together had 2 E-bikes and 2 hybrids and we all did well. Have to say, I really loved the E-bike on those Donegal hills!
Beautiful hiking and biking tour in County Donegal.
“My husband and I took the bike and hike tour through County Donegal. We are so glad that we booked the trip with Seamus and Nora. Everything was exceptionally well-organized from length of bikes and hikes to transportation, B&B locations, and technology and resources provided! We loved having the GPS pre-loaded with routes along with a turn-by-turn. We could easily share the navigation and stop for a history lesson provided in the well-written and detailed notes. The routes chosen were just right: quiet roads, some challenging climbs, exceptional scenery. We loved the mix of hiking and biking. And, as a bonus, we appreciated the great weather we were fortunate to enjoy during the trip! Thanks again Seamus and Nora for taking such great care of us and doing such a great job in organizing. We’ve taken several bike trips in different countries, and your trip was definitely the most well-organized with attention to every detail.”
Mary and I have been on a number of bike trips in Germany, Italy, Spain and here at home all over in Switzerland but the trip you planned for us tops them all when it comes to discovering backroads and extraordinary landscapes, cozy and friendly accommodations and your personal care along our route. You obviously know the type of trails seasoned cyclists like and you chose the accommodation at B&Bs with friendly hosts we will never forget. It was my first trip to Ireland but it will not be the last. Many thanks to you and Nora for taking such good care of us, for your recommendations when it was raining and help when the dots did not line up on my ebike and for picking us up for special hiking to grand scenery we would not be able to reach by bike. We will be happy to recommend you and Ireland by Bike to anyone who loves an adventurous and out-of-the-ordinary cycling tour. I feel so blessed that at 76 I was able to enjoy the whole 15-day trip
We absolutely loved the trip and will highly recommend it to everyone. It was exactly what we wanted. The B and B’s were friendly but professional and very accomodating beyond our expectations. The scenery, routes and optional rides were all incredible. We could not have asked for a better experience.!