Hike West Fest 2026, Westport

What to Expect

Hike West Fest is a one-day guided hiking festival based in Westport, running on Saturday 3 October 2026. Buses leave the Castlecourt Hotel on Castlebar Street from 7am and carry walkers out to the trailheads, so the day starts early and everyone comes back to the same place afterwards.

There are three routes, graded so that first-time hillwalkers and experienced walkers are not put on the same mountain. The beginners option is the Keenagh Loop at 11km with 250m of ascent. The intermediate route is the Coffin Trail on Achill Island, 18km with 849m of ascent, the longest day of the three. The advanced route is Ben Gorm, 10.5km but with 785m of climbing packed into that distance, making it the steepest. Every group goes out with a qualified and accredited mountain leader. The €129 ticket is not just the walk: it covers the bus transfers, the guided hike itself and a four-course meal back in Westport on the Saturday evening.

Good to Know

• Date: Saturday 3 October 2026
• Buses depart: From 7am, The Castlecourt Hotel, Castlebar Street, Westport
• Price: €129 per person, covering bus transfers, guided hike and a four-course evening meal
• Beginners route: Keenagh Loop, 11km, 250m ascent
• Intermediate route: The Coffin Trail, Achill, 18km, 849m ascent
• Advanced route: Ben Gorm, 10.5km, 785m ascent
• Guides: Qualified and accredited mountain leaders on every route
• Booking and info: hikewestfest.ie, or phone 098 55088
• Bring: Proper hillwalking boots, waterproofs and layers. Early October on the Mayo hills turns quickly

Getting There

The Castlecourt Hotel is on Castlebar Street in Westport town centre, within walking distance of most Westport accommodation, which matters given the 7am bus. Westport is reached on the N5 from Castlebar and Dublin and the N59 from Leenane and Clifden. Westport railway station is the western end of the Dublin Heuston line and is a short walk from Castlebar Street, and Bus Eireann serves the town from Castlebar, Ballina, Galway and Achill. There is public parking off James Street and near the Fairgreen if you drive in on the morning, though staying in Westport the night before is the simpler plan.