Inis Meain - Lub Dun Fearbhai Walking Trail: Inishmaan or Inis Meáin is the centrally located of the three islands that make up the Aran Islands. I would recommend flying over from Inverin via Aer Arann as you can pick up the trail right at the small airport.

Start at the pier and end at the pier or turn left if arriving by plane as you depart the small airport building. This incredible walking trail traverses a convoluted array of narrow winding roads jutting out in a haphazard fashion. Numerous sheltered paths and stone walls erected in a maze-like configuration add to the thrill of this wondrous walking trail. Follow the Purple Arrows and allow yourself to criss-cross the island, from the rocky hillsides of the south to the deserted sandy beaches on the north shore. Where you will encounter wildflowers in bloom everywhere along the limestone Karst landscape. The trail is also littered with some astounding historical sites from the imposing stone fort -  Dún Chonchúir to the nearby fort - Dún Fhearbhaí. To one of the best preserved early Christian 10th century oratories at Cill Cheannannach. If time allows a make detour to Cathaoir Synge (Synge’s Chair), the scenery here is unrivalled. Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/2341/comment/19827/

We left Doolin on the ferry with hoards of others. Our ferry was bound for Inishmor with a stop in Inishmaan to let people visiting this island off. The fact that only seven people got off the ferry at Inishmaan will give you a good indication how less frequented this island is in comparison to it's two neighbours. The island is equally as beautiful as the other two so I don't really understand why tourism hasn't taken off here to the same extent, perhaps the locals don't want it. On the plus side, you will have the island to yourself to explore.

From the pier we headed across the North of the island then down along the East coast. The walk then loops back North to the village where you can investigate the impressive fort Dun Fearbhaí. I decided to branch off the main trail and climb three high walls to reach the highest point on the island at 79 metres but if you are not bagging high points there is no need to do this as it does not add any real elevation or views to the walk. Reaching the village is about the halfway point on the walk so we stopped at Teach Osta for some food and refreshments.

The walk continues through the village until you reach the equally impressive fort of Dun Chonchuir. After exploring here, the walk continues West until you reach Synge's Chair. From here head back East until you join up with the road and follow it North back to the pier, where the boat swings in to pick up the seven of us from earlier and not drop off another soul! Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/2341/comment/20145/