WHAT
TO TAKE
As little as possible goes without saying.
Packs somehow seem to weigh more at the
end of the day than the beginning. Try and
stash non-essentials in a place you can
return to at the end of the trip.
WHERE
TO GO
Read below for some walking holiday suggestions.
Please email your walking tips, stories
and tales to ireland@backpackglobe.com
There are a great variety of walks in Ireland
including anything from ridge walks to rambles
across moors and country lanes. There are
also numerous coastal routes on the beach
or by the mountains. There is also a great
deal of animal life to see including red
deer, otters etc.
WALKING TIPS
The Irish climate is never that hot in winter
or terribly cold in winter. But it is extremely
changeable! Pack plenty of raingear, including
waterproof footwear.
If you are walking across farmland tracks
it is probably private property. Please
note the farmers are allow the track out
of goodwill so make sure you leave nothing
but footprints and always close gates behind
you and try not to damage anything.
FOOD
AND WATER
Check your route before you leave. If clean
water and essential food supplies are not
available on-route then you need to hike
them in. There are enough packet foods around
now that make quick and easy meals. Fruit
is great but it is heavy as are tins. Take
a trail mix for nibbles along the way. This
can be made up of anything (nuts, chocolates,
sweets, dried fruit etc).
ACCOMMODATION
Bring your own tent for the most budget
of walking trips, otherwise investigate
on options along the way – there may
be small villages, refuges or cheap places
to stay. We recommend the Lonely Planet’s
“Walking In…” series available
through www.amazon.co.uk We have a list of other accommodation
that you can book online through our
online engine
INDEPENDENT
WALKERS
If you are planning an independent walking
holiday trip through Ireland you need to
be prepared. Here are some handy hints and
absolute essentials:
- comfortable, well cusioned footwear suitable
for the terrain you will be walking on and
that you have walked in before over some
distance (don't bring new shoes!)
- extra snack food and water (it can be
a long way between towns in some parts,
particularly if you get marooned with an
injury or lost).
- pack light! You can buy extra food as
you go and you really only need basic walking
gear and a change of clothes for evenings
in town.
- maps (detailed for side roads and routes
that you might take)
- itinerary - give someone a copy of your
itinerary and check in with them every few
days so they know you are okay.
- helpful hints - there are lots of people
that have walked through Ireland and a lot
of them have put up details on websites.
Check the useful links below for some stories
and advice.
MAPS
A range of maps are available through stores
like www.amazon.co.uk in the Lonely Planet series for example. Take a good map
with you and make sure you know how to read
it.
