AND WE'RE BACK! Now taking bookings for private, bespoke guided half and full day hiking trips. Come walking with us!

The wind in your hair. The freshest of air filling your lungs. Ten miles under your belt. 650 million years of history under your feet. Nature all around you. The ghosts of saints, kings and white walkers all about you. A rewarding climb behind you. A spectacular view in front of you. A well-earned drink & some great local food ahead of you.

And all you’ve had to do is put one foot in front of the other and take in your surroundings. Because you & your group have been in the safe hands of engaging expert locals who’ve provided you with absolutely everything you could possibly need for a truly unforgettable experience.

These are private, guided hiking trips in Northern Ireland.
‘The Inside Trek’ way.

The feat of engineering and manpower that is Mourne Wall between Meelmore and Meelbeg. Beautiful, stately and an excellent guide if the weather turns! A must see when hiking in Northern IrelandBelfast old and new with the Titanic Centre in front of Samson (or is it Goliath)There are always big smiles when we get to the Giant's CausewayThis sugar loaf mountain sitting proudly in some late evening winter sun is Slemish, The Inside Trek's local mountain and a hill with a lot of history and legend. Come stay in the Copper Barn on your hiking holiday in Northern Ireland and you will definitely become friends with this old fella

What We Do


We want the world to see Northern Ireland for the friendly, creative, cosmopolitan, beautiful, engaging place that nature and the Northern Irish people have made it.

With our exclusive, bespoke, sustainable trekking & hiking trips & experiences, we want to take you walking, talking & exploring among the natural beauty, stunning scenery, warm welcomes & interesting history of our wee homeland.

Our specially curated local knowledge, exceptional guidance & service, plus all the equipment you’ll need, will give you access to the inside track on the best places to hike and explore.

All in as informative, stylish, hassle free, responsible & respectful a way as possible.

So we send you home again mentally & physically refreshed. And with an ever-lasting connection to “our wee country” & “our big planet”.

The Inside Trek is all about:
  • NORTHERN IRELAND:
    We believe Northern Ireland is an amazing wee country that deserves to escape its troubled past and be better known for all the good things it & its people have to offer. Yet most either still don’t know of Northern Ireland at all, or still think it’s a land of conflict. We want to change that.
  • THE OUTDOORS:
    We believe spending time outdoors is good for the soul. Switching off, getting outside in the fresh air among nature, with your hiking boots on and space & time to think, is great for the body but in particular the mind. And that’s increasingly important in today’s hectic, complicated, attention sapping, tech-connected, COVID-altered world.
  • THE ENVIRONMENT
    We believe the current ‘take, make, dispose’ model is pushing the earth beyond its limits. So we are passionate about reducing, refilling, re-using and recycling to mitigate the impact of every single one of our actions on the environment we operate in, whether that’s plastic, CO2 or waste. We are for our planet, for the long-term.
  • RESPONSIBILITY:
    We believe there is a more responsible, fair & sustainable way of doing business that properly balances purpose, people and profit. By having a strong sense of responsibility across all our trips & everything we do, we seek to set the example in how we interact and partner with our guests, our team, our neighbours, our suppliers & the communities we are a part of.
  • LOCAL:
    We believe that local is better, from the strong connection between Northern Ireland’s local products and the ground we walk on, to their inherent freshness and low travel miles. So we support our local businesses & brands every chance we get, but especially the independent ones, as a vibrant local community hugely benefits visitors and locals alike.
  • DESIGN & STYLE:
    We believe great design and style enhances the ‘every day’, especially when it’s made with care by skilled craftspeople with a story to tell. It lifts your mood & makes a smile play across your face. So, throughout our responsible hiking holidays, we seek every opportunity we can to surround our guests with beautiful, considered items of every kind.
The Mourne Wall never ceases to be impressive as it wends its way straight up Slieve Commedagh
At The Inside Trek, we tailor make your holiday or experience exactly to you:
  • Planning your next trip? Already in town but looking to get out and explore? After an activity-based experience for your family, friends, team or suppliers? We curate exactly the right private treks and hikes for any occasion.
  • Only a few hours free? A full day? A few days perhaps? We create sustainable, guided hiking trips and experiences of any duration, whether over a weekend or during the week.
  • A few of you? Many of you? Just you? While we specialise in small groups, we welcome any size of group & we provide at least one Inside Trek team member for every 6 people in your group so our inside knowledge isn’t too diluted.
  • Love a good view from a mountain, hill or ridge? Prefer the drama of waves crashing on a rocky coastline? Northern Ireland has all the scenery you could want & we know how to find your perfect place.
  • Looking to hike some serious miles and climb like a mountain goat? Or maybe you’d prefer something more leisurely? Whatever your experience & fitness level, we’ll lead & guide you at your pace throughout your time with us. And give you all the R&R you want.
  • Not got hiking gear? No problem. We can provide you with all the equipment you’ll need for your hiking trip, including boots, waterproofs, gaiters, poles & rucksacks, all by specially selected brands we trust.
  • Just trekking & hiking? Or want to do some other activities too? We have a hand-picked network of trusted local experts in pretty much any outdoors activity you can think of, from golf to horse riding to personal training to surfing.
  • Love food of every kind? Or need it to be ‘just right’? We’re big fans of Northern Ireland’s delicious, locally sourced produce, so we’ll make sure everything you eat & drink really hits the spot & tickles your taste-buds.
We take care of anything & everything, so your experience is as relaxed and stress free as possible:
  • We’ll collect you from anywhere in Northern Ireland, drive you around, and drop you back off wherever in NI you need to go next, all in comfort & style in our modern 5 seat electric vehicle. Northern Ireland has many great things going for it, but an extensive, frequent public transport network isn’t one of them.
  • We’ll pick the best route for the weather in whatever area we’re exploring, chosen from our extensive library of personally checked, risk-assessed, landowner-approved treks. There is no legal ‘right to roam’ anywhere on the island of Ireland, but that’s no issue to those of us ‘in the know’.
  • We’ll help you understand the history, legends, flora and fauna of the land you’re walking on, making sure you’re having fun and not missing a thing.
  • We’ll make sure you’re well fed throughout your time with us, all locally sourced, exactly to your liking and perfect for the appetite you’ll have worked up on the hills.
  • We’ll even translate the strong local accents and curious wee local phrases you’ll come across, so you enjoy the infamous Ulster warmth & humour!
  • And at all times, we’ll communicate clearly & pro-actively with you using any method you want. We’ll also give you contact numbers for The Inside Trek team, so you’re always in the know & are never left struggling on your own.
All you'll need to do is focus on enjoying yourself
Murlough Bay - quite possibly the best coastal view in the whole of Northern Ireland, especially in the sun
We’re able do all this because of our Inside Knowledge

From our accumulated local expertise, connections and roots, we’ve built an extensive knowledge bank on all things hiking and Northern Irish, along with a comprehensive network of engaging, insightful, responsible local providers who share our goals, ambitions & attitudes – and who love ‘Norn Iron’ just as much as we do.

This isn’t just local knowledge – after all, plenty of the local stuff is a bit ‘meh’, wherever you go in the world.

Instead, this is inside knowledge: a bespoke selection of the very best that Northern Ireland has to offer, curated through years of an ex-London expat logging the things that caught his eye as he learned his way back into life in his homeland over the last ten years or so.

These are private guided hiking trips & experiences in Northern Ireland
The Inside Trek way

Our Treks


Without giving away all of our secrets (after all, The Inside Trek does hinge on its ‘inside’ knowledge!), here are just a few of our favourite walks, right across Northern Ireland:

A gentle sea on one of the beautiful bays on the North Antrim coast, often overshadowed by its more famous neighbour the Causeway Coast - but on your responsible hike with The Inside Trek we will make sure little gems like this don't pass you by

Runkerry & The Giant’s Causeway

5.5-10+ miles

The Giant's Causeway is a World Heritage Site for good reason and, when coupled with jagged cliffs & rolling sea, its hexagonal stones are always an impressive site. But this is a hike after all, so we don't just pull up in the car park & nip down to the causeway! Instead, we mix up this classic by starting at some nearby Neolithic monuments & then heading along a gorgeous beach & around the jagged cliff top to get to – and if we want, go beyond – the stones, before heading back along the side of the old steam engine railway line and through the dunes above the beach. Throw in views of a ruined castle, stories of an Armada shipwreck & a decent spot on route for a pint (COVID permitting), and you'll be feeling spoilt by the end!

Murlough Bay - a location used by Game of Thrones on several occasions - and for good reason given the variety its steep cliffs, rolling landscapes and beautiful bay deliver. Throw in the odd rainbow, and a view through to Rathlin Island, as in this photo and you've got a memory of your responsible hiking in Northern Ireland that you will never forget

Murlough Bay & Fair Head

9 miles

If we were only allowed to keep one hike in Northern Ireland, it would be this one. Two absolutely stunning neighbouring loops that come together into a figure of eight that takes in Northern Ireland’s tallest cliffs, a gorgeous bay, more Game of Thrones' meetings than the Council Chamber in the Red Keep, and a bracing climb to a dramatic escarpment. Tucked up in the very North East corner of Northern Ireland, this hike provides stunning views over Rathlin Island, across to Scotland, and back towards Knocklayd & the other most northerly summits in the Antrim Hills. Even the drive back will be stunning, as we skirt south east round the coast. With a total ascent of almost 450 metres/1,500 feet, we'll earn those views. But they're worth it – so much so, in fact, that the National Trust actually owns a lot of the land in this area. And you’ll have so many amazing photos, you’ll struggle to find your favourite.

Foxgloves peeking through between the pine trees on the way up a beautiful Glenariff, shining in the sun - hiking in Northern Ireland with The Inside Trek, both gorgeous and responsible

Glenariff

6 miles

The Queen of the Glen really is a beauty! This fantastic paved but still challenging hike explores both sides of the Glen & the Inver River at the bottom of it, as well as the Glenariff river. The route visits several waterfalls, including the beautiful Ess-na-Crub, and takes in forest and open ground. The switchback ascent up the side of the Glen delivers cracking views all the way back down to Waterfoot, the coast & beyond, as well as across to Trostan, the highest peak in County Antrim, and other summits in the Antrim Hills. Can be extended out to by exploring more of the Forest Park or detouring to take in some of The Dungonnell Way or even Trostan itself. This is the hike our Founder Andrew has done the most & he’ll never need much convincing to return again for the Queen’s charms. Which is why Glenariff is the first photo you see on our website!

The low winter sun forcing its way through the clouds to light up the Silent Valley reservoir and silhouette Doan, to give a spectacular view from half way up Meelmore in the Mournes

Bearnagh, Meelmore & Meelbeg

8.5 miles

Slieve Meelmore may mean 'big bald mountain' but at 687 metres its actually smaller than its near neighbour Meelbeg, which at 708m belies its name of 'little bald mountain'. Either way, both are smaller than nearby Bearnagh, the fourth highest mountain in the range at 739 metres/2,425 feet, and one of the most recognisable thanks to its rocky peak. This is a cracking hike, with incredible views across virtually all the peaks and several reservoirs & loughs, although we'll have to work for them! This route also takes in the engineering marvel of the Mourne Wall, a 22 mile dry stone wall, built by hand from locally sourced granite, over the course of 18 years to 1922 to protect the water catchment area for the Silent Valley Reservoir from animal & human contamination. As a result, it runs more or less unbroken right along the range, up and over 15 of the peaks, "striding over the mountains regardless of the contours, a monument to the skill of its builders", to quote E Estyn Evans' 1951 book 'Mourne Country'. However, he also felt that "it breaks the skyline, obstructs the views and destroys the wild beauty of the High Mournes", which we totally disagree with. So you'll have to come and see for yourself!

Looking North to Sallagh Braes, with the floor of the dramatic escarpment resplendent in the sunshine, lush green grass and small purple flowers

Sallagh Braes & Agnew's Hill

Up to 13 miles

We absolutely love Sallagh Braes and the high coastal plateau they form part of. All along the ridge, the hills meander gently to the west. But to the east, they fall away sharply due to glacial activity in the last ice age. This provides stunning views right the way along this hike, whether the weather is clear & bright or a wee bit moody. This ridge was used several times in Game of Thrones and, as soon as you are there, it's easy to see why. Sallagh Braes itself is a spectacular 2km long semi-circular amphitheatre escarpment, rising 100m above the lower coastal lands below. It's been designated an Area of Special Scientific Interest. There are several ways of enjoying this hike. But our favourite is the longest option, a proper 13 mile, 5-6 hour linear trek along the Ulster Way, starting with an ascent of Agnew’s Hill (474m), then heading north across a series of summits between 300-400m in height, giving a total ascent of over 450m/1,500 feet. This is one of the most enjoyable upland routes in the Antrim Hills, on a dramatic patch of ground offering unbelievable views.

Once up Cavehill on your responsible hiking holiday in Northern Ireland, you are rewarded with this stunning view back across to McArts Fort, with Belfast City in all its finery stretching out in the background

Cave Hill

4.5 miles

This taxing wee hike is a special one, perfect for those with only a few hours free, or ideal to allow those on a longer break to then explore our capital city, Belfast. There is no finer view of the city than from Cave Hill, which despite its close proximity to Belfast, still requires a climb up to 368 metres through the 750-acres of the Cave Hill Country Park. And once you're up on top the escarpments, having swung round a gorgeous punchbowl and past the man-made caves that give this hill its name, you'll also find an ancient ceremonial ring fort from about 3,000 years ago. And coming back down then offers the contrast of the much more modern Belfast Castle. And that's all fitted in within 4.5 miles, making this a really superb, rewarding trek

Slieves Donard & Commedagh

7.5 miles

The Mournes are the highest mountains in Northern Ireland, featuring stiff climbs, soaring summits, beautiful long ridges, and lush slopes with heather and gorse. As the highest point in Northern Ireland at 850 metres (2,800 feet) and due to its close proximity to the seaside town of Newcastle, Slieve Donard is the busiest of the Mourne hikes. But that's only really busy by local standards. Compared to the Lake District in the UK, it's still quiet. Slieve Commedagh is the second highest peak standing at 767 metres, yet it gets overlooked thanks to Donard's shadow. We don't think that's fair, so we like to visit them as a pair, although that does make us work for our dinner! The route takes in an old ice house used by the Slieve Donard Hotel, as well as part of the Mourne Wall, while both peaks have little stone shelters on top, the only time mortar is used in the Mourne Wall! If you're not squeamish(!) we may start at the Bloody Bridge, heading up the Bloody Bridge River. It was previously known as the Mid-Pace River but the massacre of nine protestants and their minister there in 1641 led to the rather more gory name

While only 550 metres, Trostan - the highest point in County Antrim - is still a testing climb, especially in the wet, as can be seen from this mud-surrounded but beautiful stile. But the variety on the way up from forest through open country and bogland to a surprisingly desolate top really does reward you when hiking Northern Ireland

Trostan & Slieveanorra

9.5 miles

To get really deep into the remote heart of the Antrim Hills, Trostan is the perfect place. Given that it is County Antrim’s highest peak, you might expect a hike up Trostan to be fairly well known. Yet it rarely appears in the guidebooks, which leaves its charms just for us. It's slopes provide a beautiful varied hike, moving from lush green forests to exposed, heather-clad uplands, crossing the headwaters of rivers and providing sweeping views. That heather can make for tricky going, but the top of Trostan is worth the climb on its own, as its previous bogland has drained away to leave an unusual moon-like landscape. Trostan can be approached from various directions, and combined with other nearby summits like Slieveanorra, a historic hill with connections to two battles, to provide any length of trek up to about 10 miles. Making this hike one of Northern Ireland's under-rated hiking gems, in our view.

Slemish viewed from the southern approach, standing solitary and proud in the late evening sun

Slemish

7 miles

Slemish feels a wee bit like our mountain, given that the barn points directly at it. And we will certainly never tire of climbing this former volcanic plug, given its challenges, its ace views, and its historical connections to St Patrick, who is said to have tended his sheep on Slemish for several years as a young man. There are many higher peaks in Ireland, but few that are as distinctive. Slemish itself is a short but stiff climb. It takes less than half an hour to get to the top, but it goes straight up in places. It’s therefore a scramble where hands are often needed for balance as you pull yourself up, and where your backside is often required to ease yourself back down. You’ll be up and down in an hour, but you’ll be blowing during that hour. A hike up Slemish can be extended for however long you like by following part of the Antrim Hill Ways out into the lowlands behind Slemish and then returning back again. These expanses are surprisingly empty but also rewardingly different to the views you would get in the Mournes or along the coast, while the terrain can be slow-going. Andrew has responsibility for auditing this section of the Antrim Hills Way in his role as Volunteer Ranger with Outdoor Recreation NI. Follow in the footsteps of St Patrick and you definitely won't regret it!

We have hikes from 2 hours to 10 hours in duration, all of which are available as guided day trips. And any of our hikes can be combined, across as many activity days and rest days as is required, to make any length of experience or trip.

While we’re not holiday providers ourselves, we can point you in the direction of the best hotels & accommodation, of every standard, near every great hiking spot in Northern Ireland, whether that’s in the Antrim Hills, Belfast, the Mournes or the North Antrim Coast. The places that are just perfect for relaxing and unwinding while still being close enough to the action, so your rest days are just as special as your days on the hills.

Our treks can also be mixed with other activities, all provided by our hand-picked local experts, to create a multi-activity experience. And dinner at or from outstanding local restaurants can easily be arranged too.

So we’ve got you covered, whatever you want to do!

And we can also provide gift vouchers if you’re looking for a special experience to give that someone special – with Northern Ireland’s crisp air and breath-taking scenery plus our first class service, they’ll be a truly memorable present. Go on, give the gift of the Norn Irish outdoors!

As each of our experiences & holidays is bespoke, pricing can only really be worked out once we’ve had a chat to understand what you are interested in. But as a rough guide, for a party of four:

  • our half-day hikes start from £50 per person
  • our one day hikes from £85 per person

All prices are for an exclusive experience (just you and your group) and includes ALL equipment, transportation, food and drink (plus a wee a memento of your experience to take home).

And we have no minimum group size (having travelled a lot by ourselves, we know how annoying they are).

Contact us now for a free quote for your own Inside Trek.

The view from just off the top of Donard back towards Slieve Binnian on the eastern edge of the MournesSlemish is a short but stiff climb but it is still fun whatever the seasonTaking a second to enjoy the view west off the side of Slemish and the Ulster WaySuch good views from the Northern slopes of County Antrim's highest peak Trostan

Why Us


It’s what we live for

The Inside Trek was conceived by 48 year old ‘local lad’ Andrew Magowan, and is jointly owned between Andrew & his lifelong friend and fellow local Michael Laverty.

Andrew is a trained Hill & Moorland Leader, and a member of both Mountaineering Ireland and the Mountain Training Association.

Andrew is also Director of Sustainability and General Counsel for fine wine & spirits merchant, Berry Bros. & Rudd, founder of sustainability consultancy How Now For Our Future, and a trustee of London-based charity the Barons Court Project. More on Andrew’s previous legal, risk & reputation management career can be found on LinkedIn.

In his spare time (that he doesn’t spend on the hills or out with his dog Rosie), Andrew watches Ulster play rugby (usually pretty well) and plays tennis and golf (usually pretty mediocre-ly). He loves music (especially live), and cooking (with local ingredients, of course).

Michael is Antrim born & bred and, in addition to his non-executive role with The Inside Trek, works in the environmental sector. He has three kids, and two dogs, none of whom are quite as keen on hiking as he’d like them to be.

And these two are The Inside Trek - your local guides Andrew left and Michael right, seen here standing on top of Doan in the Mournes with the Silent Valley reservoir visible through the clouds below, will be responsible for all your needs when on your hiking holiday in Northern Ireland
We will always – always – put safety first:
All our treks are led by a trained Hill & Lowland Leader, able to fully navigate in any conditions, even at night
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All our trek leaders have First Aid qualifications, which are regularly refreshed
We always carry the full suite of safety equipment as recommended by Mountaineering Ireland on all our treks, including a GPS tracker beacon
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Our Operations Base always has the route plan and an estimated return time for every trek we lead
We use the outdooractive app to plot and circulate our routes before hand, and supplement our trusty maps and compasses when on the hills
Everyone leading our treks has weather training - something that's essential to plan & lead hiking holidays & trips in Northern Ireland's interesting, but variable, climate
We take our responsibility to our guests & staff regarding COVID really seriously, so we're certified 'Good To Go' by Tourism NI & 'COVID Confident' by the AA

Most importantly, we will never agree to any activity, route or action that we are not comfortable with from a safety perspective, and will always alter our plans accordingly. Even if that means missing out on a key attraction that day

We are committed to ‘better’

Alongside getting the world to come & hike in Northern Ireland, at The Inside Trek we are also determined to demonstrate that it’s possible to run a self-sustaining, responsible business that gives customers exceptional service, while also having zero impact at all on the land that we walk on, and while respecting and giving back to the community that we operate within:

We are really proud to be an Accredited Employer with the Living Wage Foundation, to confirm that we pay all our staff and regular contractors – all the key people we rely on – not just the legally required minimum but enough for them to live off. We genuinely care about our people. And we have a business model that fully recognises their value – something we passionately feel all businesses should have (but often don’t)

On all of our hiking holidays and experiences, we are carbon conscious (for example, despite Northern Ireland’s rainy reputation, the Copper Barn uses solar energy for its hot water). As part of Tourism Declares, we have declared a climate emergency & have committed to always exploring ways to reduce the carbon emitted from our activities.

We promote and practice “Plastic Patrol” on all of our hiking trips and holidays. We ask all group members on each of our treks to be on ‘Planet Patrol’ by bringing back at least one piece of plastic litter they find on their hike, so we can dispose of it responsibly

We are members of the 1% For The Planet global initiative, set up in 2002 to create a new environmental legacy & protect the future of our planet. The idea is simple and compelling: because companies profit from the resources they take from the earth, they should protect those resources, come what may. So, like all members, we have committed to giving 1% of our sales back to the environment, whether or not we’re profitable. Because we consider that commitment to be the quid pro quo of being lucky enough to be enjoy the support of the only planet we have

We refill, reuse and recycle wherever we can. We provide water bottles for all of our guests to use while they are with us, while as many of the food-related products we need as possible are sourced & re-stocked from amazing local ‘zero waste’ refill store The Larder

We protect & foster Northern Ireland’s hiking routes. Andrew is a volunteer ranger for Outdoor Recreation NI, checking and auditing the key pathways in his area, such as the Antrim Hills Way. We are also trying to open up new walking routes across private land in Northern Ireland

We support the “Mountains For The Mind” campaign to inspire friends, colleagues & loved ones to get into the hills & mountains, so they can take the first steps towards better mental health. Because according to Mind, the mental health charity, “one in four people in Britain experience mental health problems each year, but spending time outdoors can reduce the risk of depression by 30%”

With the trust of our guests & neighbours comes great responsibility and, at The Inside Trek, we take our responsibility seriously. So we have also created and published The Inside Trek Code of Responsibility. This Code sets out the standards we have set ourselves, so we can be held to account on our commitment to do things in a fairer, more sustainable way.

Our long-term goal is to become a Certified B Corporation. B Corporations are businesses that meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability to balance profit and purpose, redefine success in business, and build a more inclusive and sustainable economy. We’re extremely keen to join their gang, and we’ve already done a lot of the required work to analyse, adapt and build our business to meet their stringent requirements, but unfortunately our operations are not currently large enough to qualify for full certification. The second we get there, we’ll be applying. So we can ensure we deliver our guests the most responsible hiking holidays in Northern Ireland.

Great views from Dunseverick on the North Coast even when there's a sea mist
As this stunning view from the descent of Meelbeg looking back at Bearnagh shows, the light and climate can be dramatic in the Mournes - which gives great photo opportunities but makes hiking responsibly with a knowledgeable qualified guide essential. Don't settle for anything less
It's very easy to want to take your time on a hike as gorgeous as Murlough Bay

Our Stays


With the welcome growth in tourism to Northern Ireland in the wake of the Good Friday Agreement, NI does have a surprisingly good selection of excellent hotels & accommodation providers, ones whose style, luxury and service would stand up to any international standards. But when it comes to eco-hotels or sustainability-minded accommodation providers, that’s sadly a different story.

To their shame, far too many of our great places to stay are stonily silent on their environmental impact. None are B Corps, either pending or certified, and next to none are accredited Living Wage payers. Now, we could spend ages debating why that is the case, and how those establishments are missing out on a huge opportunity to both grow their business and make a difference. But that doesn’t help anyone who wants to come visit now but who also wants to know that their holiday will have as little impact on our environment as possible. But that’s where we come in.

Given our commitment to doing business better, we only work with other businesses that share our beliefs & convictions around the environment, responsibility and the power of local. So we have taken the time to identify and partner with those hotel & accommodation providers who care about their environment, who are looking to address the CO2 emissions, who pay fairly, and who give back to their community. And we are both proud and delighted to be able to arrange stays for guests in each of these hand-picked responsibility-minded establishments.

First and foremost, these partners are absolutely amazing places to stay, the kinds of place where you’ll immediately feel at home & will be quickly wondering if they’ll maybe let you stay full time. But they are also ones where you can relax after a day in the hills, safe in the knowledge that your stay is leaving the lightest possible tread on our Northern Irish soil.

We are very confident that, from that selection you’ll be able to find the perfect home from home for your perfect multi-day Inside Trek.

(PS: Because we’re about giving our guests exactly what they are looking for, we are also in regular dialogue with lots of other great places to stay in Northern Ireland, to help encourage them to think of sustainability as part of how they can stand out as special. As and when we succeed in that, we will add them to our roster.)

Our Availability


Ready to find your own perfect Inside Trek?

Our current availability is in the calendar below. To make a holding reservation for any of our available days, please just select the available days, complete the required details and one of our team will be in touch with you as soon as they can to discuss your Inside Trek.

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CHECK AVAILABILITY AND SELECT YOUR IDEAL DATES IN THE CALENDAR BELOW

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COMPLETE THE REQUESTED DETAILS REGARDING YOUR IDEAL TREK

3

ONE OF OUR TEAM WILL GET IN TOUCH TO DISCUSS YOUR INSIDE TREK

4

WHEN YOU’RE HAPPY WITH THE PLANS FOR YOUR TREK, SECURE YOUR DATES WITH A SMALL DEPOSIT

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We are The Inside Trek

Contact Us


If you have any other questions about our exclusive, private guided hiking trips and experiences in Northern Ireland or about anything else to do with The Inside Trek – or if you still need just a wee bit more inspiration – please just email andrew@theinsidetrek.com and we’d be happy to help you

FAQs

We are able to provide you with all the equipment you’ll need in order to fully enjoy your Inside Trek, all from brands we trust and sourced through our local outdoor equipment shop. So don't worry if you're already in NI and haven't got your hiking gear with you, or if it won't fit in your suitcase. But if you do want to bring your own equipment, that’s a great idea – especially your hiking boots, as complete comfort on your feet really matters. And being able to bring your own hiking clothing will give you the most amount of comfort and performance. But just drop us an email if you'd like any advice on what to bring

Definitely not! Hiking obviously involves some physical exertion – but it is only a more involved version of what we all do every day: moving about. At The Inside Trek, we make a point of quickly understanding all our guests’ desires, likes, goals and capabilities and then using our inside knowledge to find the route that is perfect for them. So please don’t worry. But if you have any questions about this, please get in touch

While the ground we can trek on can be very steep, can involve cliff or ridge edges and does not have any maximum altitude cap, for safety reasons we do not take groups on any terrain that would require specialist equipment beyond hiking poles and boots. So no rope work, no crampons etc. That only rules about 5% of the key hiking areas in Northern Ireland, though, so won't stop you having an unforgettable guided hiking holiday!

At The Inside Trek, we LOVE dogs, and we know dogs love walking. So yes, we absolutely can put together tours and experiences that your pup can be fully involved in.

But, as there is no right to roam in NI, there are a number of tracks (most notably the whole of the Ulster Way) that we'll have to rule out as the landowner has set down a 'no dogs' policy. And, even in dog friendly walks, a dog will need to be lifted over stiles in a few places, and may well need to stay on a lead at all times. But it’s all totally manageable. Contact us if you'd like to discuss anything further on this.

Safety is genuinely the Number 1 priority at The Inside Trek. So it is therefore absolutely vital that everyone in a group is able to get a full understanding of all briefings during any excursion, all of which will be in English first and foremost. Andrew does have a decent knowledge of conversational Spanish from his time in Colombia and Mexico, which can be used to help supplement the English briefings.

Northern Ireland does have a troubled past – but the key word there is ‘past’. The Good Friday Peace Agreement more than twenty years ago has really let the imagination, creativity, charm and pride of the local people fly, and Northern Ireland now has never looked, felt or tasted better. But even throughout the Troubles, life went on fairly normally, while the natural beauty continued to amaze whatever was happening politically. So there's genuinely no reason not to come and see for yourself (ideally on a guided hiking holiday with The Inside Trek, of course!)

Once your local expert guide leads you to the top of Cavehill, you are rewarded with this stunning view back across to McArts Fort, with Belfast City in all its finery stretching out in the background

We are the curious. The creative. The connoisseurs. The curators. The custodians. The carers. The conservationists. The conversation starters. The craft lovers. The culture vultures. The community minded. The connected.

We are the wanderers. The explorers. The pioneers. The in-the-moment-ers. The lucky ones.

We are the responsible ones.

We are The Inside Trek.