I can honestly say that letterfrack is the best base for anyone interested in walking / hiking in connemara.
There’s good well priced accommodation available at the connemara national park hostel – letterfrack lodge,which has hostel and hotel styled rooms.
The building also houses the lodge restaurant .Opened in April 2014 head chef Stuart Lindley has impressed national and international food critics and been featured on TG4 Christmas show as a gourmet hi light on the wild atlantic way.
There are 2 other bar/restaurants in the village , Veldons and the Clover fox both doing good food at a good price. Molly’s pub is a fantastic cozy traditional pub with regular music sessions and a nice mix of locals and tourists.
Other accommodation options include the old monastery hostel and cycle centre , the clover fox Holliday hostel , mountain side B and B , the Ellis house hostel and Roslealue manor hotel.
One of the reasons people come to letterfrack is to hike in the Connemara national park . The entrance to the park and visitor centre is in the village . It’s also in the Coast so there are lots of nice flat costal walks close by. The main reason letterfrack is the best base for hiking is its surrounded by mountains .
The 12 bens , the maumturks , the gurran complex and tully mountain are all within a 15 min drive. Here is a list of some of my favourite walks. Detailed info will be posted in the coming weeks in the new walking section of my blog.
Short walks:
Ellis trail, Time: 30 min
Dawros peninsula , Time: 1:30
Lower diamond , Time: 1:15
Lettergesh beach, Time: 45 min
Maumeen Time: 1:00
Omey Island Time: 1:00
Derryclare nature reserve. Time: 2:00
Medium hikes:
Diamond summit, Time: 3:00
Tully mountain, Time: 3:30
The Garran complex , Time: 3:30
Dougheuagh, Time: 3:00
Killary fjord, Time: 4:00
The western way, Time: 3:00
Lettergesh costal traverse, Time: 3:00
Long hikes;
12 bens North, Time: 5:00
12 bens central Time: 7:00
Maumturks North, Time: 5:00
Mweelrea horseshoe, Time: 7:00
See you in letterfrack this year for a break that will leave you refreshed relaxed and rejuvenated!
