Connemara National Park and Diamond Hill Day Tour

0
  • 7.5 Hours
  • Guided Tour
  • Daily

Discover Natural Beauty in Connemara National Park and Diamond Hill

Travel through Ireland’s most untouched, rugged landscapes on this Connemara National Park and Diamond Hill Day Tour from Galway. You’ll discover a region blanketed in majestic mountains, expansive lakes, golden beaches, and breathtaking valleys, with the opportunity to even hike among these vistas!

You’ll journey into the Gaeltacht (Irish-speaking) region of Ireland and discover a traditional way of life. Exit the coach to visit iconic Irish landmarks independently and discover rivers and lakes that flow off the Twelve Bens Mountain Range to naturally shape this majestic region.

At the Connemara National Park, enjoy free time to hike Diamond Hill and experience the panoramic views. You’ll soon see why film directors chose Connemara as a backdrop for their movies! This tour is a unique opportunity to fully immerse yourself in Ireland’s wild heart.

(To experience even more of Ireland’s traditional culture, check out our Connemara, Sheepdog Show and Medieval Castle Full Day Tour.)

  • 24 Hour Free Cancellation
  • 2 Hours Independent Hike at Diamond Hill
  • Fully Guided Day Tour
  • Expert Local Guide
  • Free Hotel Pick-Up
  • Award-Winning Customer Service
  • Multiple Order Discounts
  • Tour with Local Family Business

Connemara National Park Tour Highlights

  • Hike in Connemara National ParkChoose your route and embark on a 2-hour hike on Diamond Hill
  • Admire Killary Fjord OverlookDiscover Ireland's only Fjord
  • Tour Leenane VillageSee a charming village amongst the Connemara Mountains
  • Explore An SpidéalVisit a traditional cottage in An Spidéal
  • Connemara WildlifeSee how many sheep and Connemara ponies you can spot throughout the day
  • Letterfrack VillageExplore the gateway to Connemara
  • Discover Film Locations for ‘The Quiet Man’ and MoreSee where The Quiet Man, The Field, Marley & Me and many more were filmed in Connemara.
  • See The Twelve Bens Mountain RangeWeave through this kaleidoscopic 12-peak mountain range

Featured Stops

Galway City Center – Tour Departure

This tour departs at 10 am sharp from the centre of Galway City, on Foster Street just outside the Hyde Hotel. We encourage guests to arrive at least 15 minutes before departure to ensure a smooth start to the day’s exploration. Guests staying in Galway City or suburbs can avail of our pick-up service. See the checkout section for more details.

Journey through Connemara Region

Explore notable stops in the Connemara region, including Oughterard, where you’ll have beautiful views of the River Corrib and see historic cottages. At Maam Cross, a crossroads in Connemara, you’ll continue on to Joyce County and encounter stunning loughs and the Twelve Bens Mountain Range. We’ll also make a stop at some fascinating ancient stone ruins. All along the way, keep your eyes peeled for Connemara ponies and mountain sheep!

Explore ‘The Quiet Man’ Film Locations

During the trip, you’ll discover why famous films like The Quiet Man, The Field, and Marley & Me were all shot here! See if you can spot the backdrops to some of the scenes. This fascinating glimpse into the film history of the region adds an extra layer of enchantment to the tour.

Visit Leenane Village

This tiny mountain-side village is simply bursting with colourful Irish charm and overflowing with ever-changing scenery. Some guests may choose to stroll out along the edges of Killary Fjord, while others can opt for an Irish Coffee or Hot Whiskey in one of the local bars.

Length of stay approximately 30 minutes.

Hike Connemara National Park & Diamond Hill

As part of the Galway to Connemara National Park and Diamond Hill Full Day Tour, you have the opportunity to spend 2 hours at the Connemara National Park at Diamond Hill.

There are three routes to choose from, each varying in length and difficulty. There is no additional charge to enter the national park, and there are tea rooms on site for coffee and light snacks.

Please be aware that the bus and driver cannot wait any longer than the allotted 2-hour duration, so please plan your visit cautiously.

Admire Killary Fjord Overlook

Ireland’s only fjord serves as the natural border between counties Galway and Mayo. This breathtaking vista helps tell the story of millions of years of natural geographical evolution, while also doubling as a featured photo stop.

Length of stay approximately 10 minutes.

Explore Inagh Valley

In the afternoon, the journey leads you through the Inagh Valley, one of the most scenic in Connemara! Returning to Maam Cross, you’ll head south into the region to Gaeltacht areas like Camus and Screeb where you can hear the Irish language being spoken.

Stop By An Spidéal

The second half of our tour takes the Wild Atlantic Way coastal drive along South Connemara, but not without a stop at one of our absolute favourite seaside villages. An Spidéal is also a “Gaeltacht” town where the Irish (Gaelic) language is spoken as a first language and where many Irish cultural traditions still thrive these days. Here we get a sample of these traditions, experience a taste of seaside living in Ireland, and (if you dare) dip your toes in the Atlantic Ocean.

Return To Galway City

You’ll drive through Salthill and Barna, making your way back into Galway City. The tour typically returns to the city between 5:15 and 5:30, providing the ideal opportunity to head into town for dinner. Be sure to ask your guide for some recommendations!

Reviews

FAQ

How much time do we get to hike?

You will have 2 hours of free time to hike Diamond Hill at Connemara National Park

Is it a guided hike?

No, you are free to enjoy the hike on your own

Is 2 hours enough?

There are 3 x routes: 1 x Short, 1 x Medium, 1 x Long (to the peak of Diamond Hill). It is possible to reach the peak and back down in 2 hours if you have a good pace and only make brief stops. Please be realistic with your ability and speed, don’t push yourself too hard and make sure to allow time to have a bite to eat.

Please make sure to keep an eye on the time – If you are not back within 2 hours, the driver will have to continue the tour without you, and you will have to arrange alternative transport back to Galway. There is a local / public service bus that passes near the national park.

What happens if I'm not back in time?

Please make sure to keep an eye on the time – If you are not back within 2 hours, the driver will have to continue the tour without you, and you will have to arrange alternative transport back to Galway. There is a local / public service bus that passes near the national park.

Do you have an office in Galway?

Yes we do! Our HQ is the Explore Galway Kiosk in Eyre Square. Please come and say hello ahead of your trip and ask for some local tips for Galway and the West of Ireland.

Is there a stop for lunch or should I pack a lunch?

Our first main stop is in Leenane village where we will have a short 20/30 minute stop, you will have the opportunity to get something small to eat here. When you visit the National Park, there is a cafe on site there,you will also be dropped off near the village of Letterfrack where you can also pick up some food to bring with you for the hike. Quite a lot of our hikers for Diamond Hill do bring a packed lunch with them so they can spend more time hiking, and make a stop for lunch when they feel like it along their way up to the peak.

What is the max amount of people on this tour?

In peak season, there can be a max of 61 people on this tour.

Price
From€40
Book 14 Days In Advance and get 15% off your booking!


Save To Wish List

Adding item to wishlist requires an account

3891
From€40
Book Now