A Guide to Tochar Daithi Ban Trail
Read our travel guide on Tochar Daithi Ban Trail in Ireland. Includes tips on what to expect, trail description, how to get, or where to park.
Tochar Daithi Ban Trail is an easy walk in Wild Nephin National Park, suitable for all ages and abilities.
As Tochar Daithi Ban trailhead is situated at the Ballycroy Visitor Centre entrance, it makes a great starting point for many adventures in the area.
And why should you visit Wild Nephin in the first place?
This national park is among the best things to do in County Mayo for several reasons. It is home to the Atlantic blanket bog, unspoiled nature, beautiful views, and great hiking trails.
Tochar Daithi Ban trailhead is situated at the Ballycroy Visitor Centre entrance, and even though it's not a remote area of the park, this short walk really showcases what the trails in the surrounding area have to offer.
If you want to add an easy hike to your Ireland road trip itinerary, this might be a great option for you.
How to Visit Tochar Daithi Ban Trail
By the time we arrived at Ballycroy Visitor Centre, it was already late in the afternoon, and the area seemed pretty quiet.
We were not surprised as we even experienced some of the most Ireland's visited places, such as the Ring of Kerry and Wicklow Mountains, without crowds.
Trailhead
The starting point of the Tochar Daithi Ban Trail is next to the visitor center, which is only a stone's throw from the parking area.
It has good signage, and the trailhead is impossible to miss.
Length and Difficulty
Tochar Daithi Ban is an easy 1.8-kilometer circular route suitable for all ages and skill levels.
The trail serves as a fantastic introduction to Wild Nephin National Park, as it offers great views without too much effort and has information boards.
The trail is a mix of a gravel path and a boardwalk, so it's extremely well-maintained and easy to follow.
Description
It starts with a small Dipping Pond, which is home to many interesting bog plants and dragonflies, but unfortunately, this section of the trail was closed due to construction at the time of our visit.
The trail was super easy to follow, and we could focus solely on the lovely views of the surrounding landscape.
There was no one around; in fact, we didn't encounter any other hikers on the trail.
They say that the heart of Wild Nephin National Park features some of the quietest places in Ireland.
It was strange to find some solitude, even on a small hill right next to the N59.
But that's what we liked about County Mayo and generally our Ireland road trip so much. Finding the unexpected.
By the way, Daithi Ban was a mythical giant who built a fortress on Corslieve, the highest mountain in the national park.
When we reached the halfway point, the trail offered us a short detour to the top of Cleary's Hill.
Cleary's Hill Summit
The short and easy climb to the summit is worth the time and effort.
You will be rewarded with spectacular views of Achill Island, Blacksod Bay, and Nephin Beg Mountain Range.
Wild Nephin contains one of the largest expanses of active Atlantic blanket bog in Ireland and Western Europe, making this fragile area very important and unique.
However, if you want to get the most authentic feel of Wild Nephin's iconic solitude and wilderness, you need to do one of the longer Letterkeen Loops or challenging Bangor Trail.
If you come looking for those two qualities in this area, you might leave disappointed.
This trail is still far from proper backcountry experience. As usual, it's essential to set your expectations right.
Ballycroy Visitor Centre
The trail looped back to Wild Nephin Ballycroy National Park Visitor Centre, marking the end of this nice little walk.
Here you have a chance to visit the modern cafe with an outdoor patio, the visitor center itself, and a museum with interactive exhibitions.
Thanks to the visitor center and well-maintained trail, this part of Wild Nephin National Park is worth visiting even on a rainy day.
Opening Hours
Tochar Daithi Ban Trail has no opening times and can be done all year round.
As this is one of the official entrances to Mayo Dark Sky Park, it's a great place to visit after dark to marvel at the pristine night skies.
Keep in mind that unlike the trail, which is open all day long, the Ballycroy Visitor Centre has seasonal opening hours and is closed in winter.
Entrance Fee
There is no entry fee to Tochar Daithi Ban Trail.
In fact, all of Ireland's national parks are free to visit, making them one of the best places to include in your itinerary when visiting Ireland on a budget.
How Much Time Do I Need
Tochar Daithi Ban is a short trail that requires about 30 to 40 minutes of your time.
On a picture-perfect day, it's easy to stay longer than originally planned to savor those views of Achill Island and the national park.
When to Go
Tochar Daithi Ban Trail can be hiked any day of the year.
Thanks to warm and long days, summer is often considered to be the best time to visit Ireland.
However, the trail gets busy during this period, so it's better to start early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid crowds.
Autumn or spring are shoulder seasons that tend to have lower costs but worse weather.
Winter is the off-peak season in Ireland that allows you to score lower prices and avoid the largest crowds.
The weather is quite unpredictable during this period, though.
What to Pack
Even though it can be easily completed in less than thirty minutes, it's wise to keep your trusty rain jacket in your daypack just in case.
Comfortable footwear is essential for every hike, regardless of its length. Due to uncertain weather conditions, we put on our hiking boots only to realize it was unnecessary.
Regular runners are more than fine for this short walk unless it's raining.
Even though it didn't rain, we were glad our jacket was windproof due to strong gusts along the trail.
Here you will find our full Ireland packing list.
How to Get There
The best way to get to Tochar Daithi Ban trailhead is by car.
Car
There is a large free parking space next to the Ballycroy Visitor Centre, so it's easy to find a spot here even during peak season.
Renting a car in Ireland is fairly easy, and this mode of transport gives you the freedom to visit many remote sites dotting the Emerald Isle.
Unlike Letterkeen Loops, this entrance sits directly on N59, so it's very easy to reach even if you're not the most confident driver.
Nonetheless, you will find more tips on driving in Ireland here.
Galway is located in the south, about two hours from here. On the way, you will pass through Westport, which is only 45 minutes from the western entrance.
Sligo sits two hours' drive east of here. Dublin is a four-hour drive from here.
Travel Resources
When renting a car, we use Rentalcars.com.
Shuttle Bus
During the summer season, a shuttle bus connects the Wild Nephin National Park with Bangor Erris and Westport.
It's free, stops at each entrance within the park, but runs only from June to August.
Where to Stay
The national park is accessible from Newport, Achill Island, Belmullet, or Ballina.
There are tons of great places to spend a night within this place, so pick the one that best suits your needs and fits your itinerary.
In case you want to stay in a larger town, Castlebar, Sligo, or Galway are within driving distance.
Newport | Hotel Newport - Set in Newport's town center, about thirty minutes from the visitor center, this lovely hotel has comfortable and spacious rooms, stylish decor, a buffet breakfast, and a great location.
Geesala | Erris Coast Hotel - Located in a peaceful location about thirty minutes from the national park, this hotel features modern rooms, great breakfast options, an on-site restaurant, welcoming staff, and free private parking.
Crossmolina | The Dolphin Hotel - Situated about 20 minutes from Letterkeen in the small village of Crossmolina, this affordable hotel has cozy rooms, friendly staff, a full Irish breakfast, and free parking.
Staying Safe
Tochar Daithi Ban is probably the easiest and safest trail in Wild Nephin National Park.
Make sure to wear clothing according to the weather and suitable footwear.
The path is clearly visible, and there is zero chance of getting lost, even in foggy weather.
Even though this is no Diamond Hill Walk or Spinc Loop, it's always better to come prepared.
This helpful guide features more tips on staying safe in Ireland.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
Is Tochar Daithi Ban Trail Worth It?
Tochar Daithi Ban is a perfect trail for novice hikers, families with kids, and outdoor enthusiasts who want to explore every trail in Wild Nephin National Park.
It's also a good choice for visitors pressed for time and looking for a great way to stretch their legs while touring Wild Atlantic Way.
Obviously, it's just a nice walk around a hill, and it's over before you know it.
In case you're looking for a challenge and solitude, head out to the Letterkeen Loops area.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
