The Donegal Trail is an unguided trail ride.
You can ride the Donegal Trail only with a minimum of two riders.

The unguided Trails are suited to a minimum of 2 persons - but, if you really would like to ride a Trail and you don't have a riding companion we have the possibility to help you find one on our Meeting Page on the Internet.

DAY 1 - ARRIVE - Receive saddlebags, maps and have a trial ride along the laneways near Horse Holiday Farm to Trawalud Strand and dunes and return to the farm.

DAY 2 - LETTERHILLUE - Bogland and hand-knitted sweaters
Around lunchtime we Set oft from the Horse Holiday Farm. In the morning you have a lot to do to prepare for the adventures ahead of you. Your horse has to be taken care of, fed and groomed. Saddlebags have to be packed properly. Don‘t be afraid —everything you really need on your trail fits into your saddlebags. Many riders who came before you can vouch for that.
We will transport you and your horse from the farm into County Donegal. After about an hour, we drop you at the starting point of the first day of your tail. Follow the yellow arrows and check the route on your map from time to time. Depending an how fast you tide you will arrive at Mrs. Logue‘s after about four to five hours after a lovely trek across bogland and through forests. An excellent dinner awaits you. Mrs. Logue owns a modern farmhouse and you and your horse will be able to enjoy the best facilities and if you talk to Mrs. Logue about Irish sweaters there might be a bit of a fashion show after dinner!

DAY 3 - GLENTIES - Secluded mountains, Glen Tavern and an impressive waterfall - You will start the day with an opulent breakfast of cereals, cornflakes, bacon and egg, which gives you the strength for a days riding, long and full of excitement. The trail goes through the Blue Stack Mountains — secluded, majestic, wild and romantic. You will enjoy picturesque views and impressive scenery. The only living souls you meet along the way are the sheep and birds. Enjoy the tranquillity and the wind, which accompanies you on your way.
Care for same adventure? High up in the mountains it needs a bit of courage to follow the signposted trail which crosses boggy terrain. Don‘t worry though, the horses are familiar with the area and will carry you safely across.
Hungry? Thirsty? After a few adventurous hours everybody welcomes a rest. Riding down the mountain you will pass an impressive waterfall and arrive at the welcoming Glen Tavern. Allow the horses to relax for a short while and enjoy a pint of Guinness or a pot of tea yourself. It will do all of you good.

DAY 4 - GWEENARRA - Romantic River Trail to Gweebarra Bay. Enjoy a hearty breakfast. The Bonners know exactly what kind of a day you will have and a good breakfast will help you to manage those hours in the saddle. They will be glad to discuss the route with you before you leave and then a long and exciting trail lies ahead of you.
At the beginning you follow an old railway line which is not used anymore, then you ride an the road and finally you reach a mysterious river and forest area heading to the Gweebarra River Estuary, ride along the river to reach the open sea, the beautiful white sands of Gweebarra Bay lie ahead. This tour offers a -wide variety of scenery, new perspectives and exciting views, a wonderful isolated area with such peace you cannot imagine. Did you ever see such a beautiful beach? We are sure you will not be able to resist galloping on the empty sandy beaches. Enjoyment and excitement is the order of the day. Overnight near Clooney.

DAY 5 - CLOONEY - Today you will have the chance to decide what you like best to do: riding in the mountains, through forests or on the beach. We promise you will encounter the most beautiful beaches on the other side of the peninsula beyond the Gweebarra river, white sand as far as your eyes can see. Haw about a gallop?
Overnight again near Clooney.

DAY 6 - GLENTIES - White beaches and quiet bogland - Say goodbye to the sea? That‘s hard. Maybe you should change your timing slightly and take two or three hours for another ride along the sea or through the lovely mud flats when the tide is out!
Then it‘s back to the Bonners residence which you will reach after riding through picturesque mountains. You have time to stop en route, pause for a moment above Lough Laragh and take a look back to Gweebarra Bay and enjoy the lovely view which is breathtaking — mountains, rivers, bogland and the glittering sea in the distance. You will still remember it when you continue on your quiet trail.

DAY 7 - TO INVER - Weary bones and a long trail through the heather - Slept well? Had a nice breakfast? Today it is especially important to be in top form since this is the day with the longest trail of the entire week, but aches and pains are long forgotten anyway and after a full Irish breakfast you are wide awake and ready to prove that you are well able to manage any adventurous trail. Bogland as far as you can see —dark muddy water and green grass. The scenery looks totally different again. Make the most of your last day, which ends at Terry and June Coyle‘s Cloverhill House, again on the beach, at Inver.

DAY 8 - FAREWELL - Farewell to equine friends - Unfortunately, the week has come to end quickly. Time to remember all the lovely days and different experiences. Before lunch we collect you from Terry‘s and drive you and your horse back to the Horse Holiday Farm. Hopefully, you still have enough time to say goodbye to your equine friend. You will probably shed a tear or two when you watch your horse grazing for the last time. And we are pretty sure that you will quietly tell him that you’ll be back soon…

General:
In order to participate in our Trail riders must be fit and able to trot, canter and gallop at ease, You must also be capable of taking good care of your horse: feed , groom and tack up.
On all programmes children must be over 12 years of age and good riders and also must be capable of spending long hours in the saddle.

See Video-Section: Gallop on Beach

Ask for our free DVD “Horse Riding Holidays at the Horse Holiday Farm”

For detailed information , please visit our other pages and contact us.

It is sometimes possible to book a riding holiday at short notice: just phone us, send us an email or fill up the
contact form

Tilman and Colette Anhold
Horse Holiday Farm Ltd.
Grange
County Sligo
Ireland

Telephone : (071) 9166152
Fax : (071) 9166400

From Europe and the UK:
Telephone : 00 353 71 9166152
Fax : 00 353 71 9166400

From the USA:
Telephone : 011 353 71 9166152
Fax : 011 353 71 9166400

Email : hhf@eircom.net

Form: enquiries-reservations

Location and airports

B&B and Hotels in Grange, Mullaghmore and Sligo

The Horse Holiday Farm is Bord Fáilte (Irish Tourist Board) approved and
a member of A.I.R.E., the Association of Irish Riding Establishments.