The ferry to Clare Island was tiny, and as I stepped down into it, the ferry worker cautioned me to watch out for the sheep's horns. Just a few feet away was said sheep, a rope wound around its horns, connecting it to the vessel.
This was no tourist ferry — it was transportation for local humans, animals and visitors alike. Earlier in the day, a different ferry had brought us out to Clare Island, where we had hiked to a lighthouse, seen ruins and admired cliffs and beaches over some 7 miles before taking the ferry back.
During my trip with Wilderness Ireland, I explored the Emerald Isle by foot and ferry on the six-night guided Hiking & Island Hopping Ireland’s West Coast itinerary. Graded “green” by the company, the tour included shorter hikes with fewer ascents, as well as plenty of cultural stops such as castles and an abbey, with a more leisurely pace and an average of two to four hours of walking per day. Each night, we settled into local accommodations, many of which were just a short walk from pubs with good food and lively entertainment. The group I joined consisted of only six guests and our guide.
Walks may include stops at castles, ruins and other cultural sites.
Credit: 2025 Wilderness Ireland
“We intentionally keep group sizes small, so the experience feels more like traveling with friends rather than joining a tour group,” said Patricia Doe, managing director for Wilderness Ireland.
The Wilderness Ireland Experience
In addition to hiking trips, Wilderness Ireland — sister company to Wilderness Scotland — offers a variety of trip styles for clients to enjoy, including biking, e-biking, family and cultural itineraries. My trip was focused on hiking, and we used ferries to reach a number of islands to take part in the activity.
“Traveling by foot and ferry encourages you to experience life at a slower pace,” Doe said. “It lets you feel the sea breeze, listen to the birdsong in the wind, taste the salty air and gaze upon the horizon as windswept coastal land meets the swirling Atlantic waves.”
Maximizing human-powered transport and ferries also offers a more sustainable way to travel, Doe adds, which is a large part of the ethos of Wilderness Ireland.
Using local ferries, travelers may share their transport with both people and animals.
Credit: 2025 Kristen Pope“It’s more meaningful to travelers, as well,” she said. “Rather than rushing from one viewpoint to the next, you’re taking the time to be fully present in the landscape. It’s amazing how much more you notice when you’re not in a hurry.”
Hiking & Island Hopping Ireland’s West Coast
Throughout our week, we enjoyed an array of experiences. We took a ferry to Inishbofin Island and began hiking directly from the pier, viewing fascinating old ruins, sea stacks, a sea arch and a blowhole with sea spray flying high into the air. We walked along grassy slopes beside sheep with brightly painted markings on their sides, and we enjoyed lunch at a scenic beach where a guest or two jumped in for a quick, chilly swim.
We also walked alongside Killary Fjord, where we watched for seabirds, saw oyster farming in action and learned the area’s history, including how people built the road during famine relief efforts in the 1840s and 1850s. Another day, we visited the iconic Cliffs of Moher, where we explored the gorgeous scenery and spent time in the visitor center, which featured an interactive exhibit about family names and the virtual reality 4D Ledge Experience, complete with artificial weather such as wind and mist. We also hiked in Burren National Park and gazed at the karst limestone formations.
The tour visits the island of Inishmaan, a hidden gem that visitors might typically miss.
Credit: 2025 Kristen PopeOne of the most memorable days of the trip was when we took a ferry to the Aran Islands. We watched as many visitors got off at the first stop, and when we disembarked at the less visited island of Inishmaan, it was only our group of seven stepping off the ship.
We spent the day hiking, exploring an old fort site and marveling at enormous crashing waves, and we took some time to chat with a local man we happened to encounter. He was harvesting potatoes in his yard, and our guide translated for us as he talked about being born on the island and his many decades there. We finished off our time at the local pub enjoying ham and cheese toasties and margherita pizza before it was time to catch the ferry back.
“Exploring quieter islands and coastal trails means you’re seeing Ireland in a genuine, captivating and immersive way,” Doe said. “You hear the language and the accents, meet the people who call these places home and get a real feel for the rhythm of the west coast. These moments become the ones guests talk about long after the trip ends.”
