Have you ever felt the desire to immerse yourself in nature?
Join us for an adventurous weekend escape through the Upper Lough Erne waterways.

Sligo Kayak Tours - Woodland Wilderness Camping

This two day, one night trip is perfect for those who seek a back to basics weekend in a beautiful location.

Upper Lough Erne is characterised by a myriad of islands, peninsulas and bays which lead the paddler deeper into the wilderness around each slow flowing bend.

The tour showcases a tranquil landscape of islands, woodlands and historical ruins such as the 17th Century ruin of Crom Castle and the island folly of Crichton Tower. We will explore a stand of Yew Trees that are reputed to be 800 years old, and marvel at the diverse wildlife of the area, herons, eight species of bats, otters, fallow deer and swans all call this area home.

Our home for the night is a restored farmhouse on a secluded island, which is off grid and offers simple lodgings in an exquisite location where you can enjoy healthy food around a campfire, catch up with friends or watch the sun go down with a glass of wine.

The cottage boasts a fuel burning stove, kitchen and an area for hanging wet gear. There are two composting toilets and a shower on site too. The house has basic sleeping platforms on which to roll out your ground mat, or opt for your own tipi and camp nearby.

Overnight Wilderness Tours
Overnight Wilderness Tours
Sligo Kayak Tours - Woodland Wilderness Camping
Overnight Wilderness Tours
Sligo Kayak Tours - Woodland Wilderness Camping
Overnight Wilderness Tours
Overnight Wilderness Tours
Sligo Kayak Tours - Woodland Wilderness Camping
Overnight Wilderness Tours
Sligo Kayak Tours - Woodland Wilderness Camping

This two day trip can be paddled by first time paddlers, no experience is necessary and full instruction will be given before we get on the water. Our pace is leisurely and although paddlers need to be reasonably fit, anyone can partake in this adventure.

Your guide Barry is a qualified Leave No Trace trainer and will explain and encourage you during the trip on various ways in which you can reduce your footprint and have less of an impact on the environment as you travel through it.

Tour dates for 2020:

April 11/12    |    July 18/19    |    September 12/13

OVERNIGHT WILDERNESS TOURS FAQ

What time does the trip start?
We will meet at 10:00 on Saturday morning and begin to pack our kayaks before heading out for the night. We aim to be back again on Sunday at 15:00.
Where does the trip start and end?
We will start and finish at Crom Visitors Centre, Upper Lough Erne. Vehicles can be left there overnight.
How long does it take to reach the Island?
We aim to be there by 16:00 on Saturday. We will stop for lunch half way so the journey is broken up into two stages. This paddle is within easy reach of a first time kayaker, our pace is easy and it’s all about taking in the scenery and enjoying yourself over the two days. A moderate fitness level is needed.
How and what do I pack?
All your gear for the trip will need to fit into your kayak. We will spend time packing on Saturday morning and organising gear into the various holds in the kayak. You will need to pack your gear from your suitcase/backpack/vehicle into drybags and then into your kayak. We will supply dry bags for you to use. Bring along two or three full changes of clothes, headtorch, comfy camp shoes, rain jacket, sleeping bag, swimming gear, toiletries, snacks, medication.
What do we eat?
Included in the price is a packed lunch on day one and a delicious barbeque with salad etc that evening. On day two we will provide a healthy breakfast and lunch that afternoon.
What if it rains / the weather is bad?
We aim to run our tours in all but the worst of weather, as the essence of getting away to nature is all about immersing ourselves in the elements. Saying that we take safety as a primary concern and we are able to have a solid grasp on the weather forecast a few days before the tour and will inform you of the forecast as soon as we can. We do have the option of staying in the cottage instead of camping in the case of heavy rainfall. The unique geography of Upper Lough Erne allows us to paddle in most wind scenarios as the waterways are sheltered for the most part.
Is there an age limit?
Due to the nature of this tour we can only accept people over the age of 16.
What equipment do you provide?
We provide all your kayaking equipment including drysuits and drybags, and on the camping side of things we provide spacious four person Tipis, inflatable ground mats, pillows, crockery, cutlery, mugs, bowls, plates etc.
What is the minimum number of people needed to run this tour?
The minimum number of people needed is 4 people, we cap the numbers at 12 so we can limit our impact on the land and ensure a quality experience on the tour.