COVID-19 UPDATE
Due to all the restrictions, we are no longer having our guests inside our home for lunch. Lunch can be taken away or you can enjoy it on our patio. All social distancing rules will apply. We will not be able to lend anyone equipment for the hike.
EPIC ESCAPES HIKING TOURS
Epic Escapes Hiking Tours is more than your average hiking guide. Whether you’re looking for a private tour or would like to join an organized experience with other travellers, we want you to have fun while learning something new about Donegal. Keep reading to learn more about available packages and get in touch with any questions.
Adventure Awaits
Epic Escapes Hiking Tours offers a variety of tour packages, all promising that added personal touch. Our trips guarantee an action-packed itinerary while delivering a truly knowledgeable and authentic hiking experience.
After the hike, we will come back to our home to have lunch prepared by Dessie. Did we mention he is also a world-class, professional chef! Whose toured around the world with multiple rock bands and pop icons!
You can have a look at our seasonal menu below. We can cater to all types of dietary requirements. Please let us know of any allergens. Take a look at the variety of hiking packages we offer below.
To book this unique experience click HERE!
HIKING PACKAGES
KNOCKALLA CLIMB
This hike will take you straight up Knockalla Mountain.
We will take you off the beating path to a spectacular 360 view around Donegal. Walking along the top of this mountain will leave you feeling invigorated and inspired!
This experience is about 3 hours walking straight up a mountain top.
This hike is good from ages 10 and up.
Cost €55 Per Person
Scrumptious Lunch included
GREAT POLLET SEA ARCH
We will walk along a rocky path aside from the sea to come to a real hidden gem on the Fanad coastline.
This sea stack seen in person has unmeasurable beauty.
This experience will take approximately 3 hours.
This hike is good from ages 14 and up.
Cost €55 Per Person
Scrumptious Lunch included
TWO BOG LAKES TOUR
Glenvar has a wee little secret up in those misty mountains.
There are two gorgeous bog lakes with a view in between one of the lakes. You will not regret that steep climb up.
This experience will take approximately 4 hours.
The walk will be straight up a mountain.
This hike is good for ages 12 and up.
Cost €55 Per Person
Scrumptious Lunch included
COASTAL WALK PHOTOGRAPHER'S DREAM
We will begin our walk along the rocky Fanad coastline on the beach. On this hike, you will see multiple caves, private beaches, small and medium-sized natural arches, which you will be able to walk under.
This hike will approximately take 3.5 hours from start to finish.
This hike is good for ages 12 and up.
Cost €55 Per Person
Scrumptious Lunch included
NEW HIKE!!
HIDDEN LAKES WITH A COASTAL VIEW!
The beginning of this walk is straight up hill. Once we get to the top it's mostly flat. On this hike, you will see a few bog lakes, gorgeous coastline views, and a view of the great Pollet Arch!
This hike will approximately take 3 hours from start to finish.
This hike is good for ages 10 and up.
Cost €55 Per Person
Scrumptious Lunch included
FAMILY PACKAGE
CHILDREN UNDER 12 ARE HALF PRICE
SENIOR DISCOUNT 65 +
20% OFF - All Hikes!
EPIC ESCAPES HIKING TOURS INSTAGRAM
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Check out our Raving Reviews!
Our day started off really well, even just the drive from our accommodation to the meeting area the views were awesome. We knew we were in for a treat as the weather was in our favour. At the meeting point we were greeted by Lauren and Dessie, we had a short drive to a parking area. From there we set off up Knockalla. Before long we had views spanning miles and miles, across hills and Inlets of water. We passed the Black lakes on our way to the ridge or as Dessie explained it as The Devils Backbone. Time flew by as we took in so much scenery that is truly once in a lifetime. There was a fine brisk wind on the ridge that not even the sturdiest cobweb could evade, our eyes were watering from not wanting to miss something. We passed a friendly farmer who was tending to his flock of sheep on our decent to the parking area. We had worked up quite an appetite on our hike to which Dessie had a beautiful lunch organised. It was delicious and more than we thought we could eat. We will definitely be making a return trip with Dessie and Lauren on one of their other hiking experiences.
Barry - Airbnb Review
You would be doing yourself an injustice not going on this guided hike. It was other worldly and the scenery took my breath at every turn. Dessie and Lauren could not have been more warm, charming, accommodating and hospitable. Truly gems!! Their knowledge of the flora and fauna, geology, history, culture and people of the area enriched the experience beyond measure. Lauren is a professional photographer and took many great pics that she graciously shared with me!! Dessie is an amazing chef and the food he prepared for our lunch was gourmet!! I truly thank them for the experience and for being such stellar human beings!!!
Leola - Airbnb Review
This is a must do for anyone visiting the Fanad Peninsula or Donegal in general!!!! We have had a holiday home in the area for 5 years and thought we knew the area well, but spending these few hours with Dessie and his wife Lauren opened up a whole new perspective and showed us stuff we had no idea was around, it was absolutely brilliant! The views they showed us from the top of Knockalla hill were spectacular, we didn't even know you could get up there. They provided fantastic commentary and insight on the surrounding area, on all we could see and the time together flew by. The view from the top of the hill was breathtaking, a 360 degree view of Fanad, across to Inishowen, further parts of West/South Donegal and even in to Northern Ireland. We then traveled a short distance to do a coastal walk and again, it was a real eye opener. Dessie was born and brought up at the base of Knockalla and his expertise on the surrounding area was really cool, delivered in such a friendly and relaxed manner. We went and saw the Great Pollet Arch, something we'd tried to find on several occasions but with no luck, turned out we just needed an experts help! It was truly spectacular, an amzing attraction but with so few people knowing how to get there, almost totally unspoilt. Dessie's wife Lauren was just as lovely and a perfect foil for Dessie. Her artistic eye as a professional photographer meant she was just as good at pointing out certain features, she was also brilliant with our kids and provided us with a couple of really good photos as part of the experience. All told, this was a fantastic trip we heartily recommend to anyone in the area. In terms of fitness we are ok but not particularly fit and our kids are 9 and 7 so whilst tired at the end, the walk was tailored to them and they thoroughly enjoyed it as well. We were then treated to a lovely informal lunch with Dessie and Lauren back at their house, again, tailored to our needs and wants. The Reuben sandwich was superb but the kids also got what they wanted and it genuinely could not have been better. Again, very relaxed, informal and just pitched perfectly. In summary, it really felt like we'd just been on a fantastic walk with some knowledgeable friends, they were both so easy going and such great hosts. If you get a chance, join them for a few hours, I bet you won't regret it!
Alistar & Jill - Airbnb Review
Meet your Guides :)
Dessie and Lauren
They are both very passionate about the Great Outdoors. Dessie is local to the area, and Lauren is a US native who has emigrated to Ireland about two and a half years ago. Dessie, apart from travelling the world, has lived in Glenvar most of his life. Exploring the mountains and caves in the area is a passion, as well as being a lover of the great outdoors and all things nature, he is a keen gardener and has a great interest in fishing and water sports. Lauren is also at home in the wild and loves exploring the hills of Donegal. Lauren is a professional photographer and loves to shoot the local landscape.
