If you’re a fan of the fluffy alpaca, then there’s a brand new experience you have to try in the hills of Donegal.
The Wild Alpaca Way on Malin Head is a fun new trek for young and old to spend time with lovable animals in the great outdoors.
Local man John McGonagle and his family have been sharing their passion for alpacas with visitors all summer through their tours on the Knockamany Bends.
But what makes this tour really special is the location. The trekking path offers breathtaking panoramic views of the Five Finger Strand and far beyond. You’ll be amazed by Donegal’s scenery from this point – if you can stop admiring the cute little alpacas that is!
Ollie the Alpaca on the Wild Alpaca Way, Malin Head, Donegal
John McGonagle and Bounce on the Wild Alpaca Way, Malin Head, Donegal
Mojo, Badger, Chestnut, Bounce and the beautiful little newcomer Ollie are the stars of the show. I had Ollie for my trek on Monday, and even though he was quite new to Donegal, he took everything in his stride.
Alpacas are great animals for children to be around, they are quiet, gentle and love company. John and his son Sean are full of knowledge about the group and we soon learned that each alpaca has his own personality, Badger is the leader, Bounce is the lively one and my wee Ollie was the shy one of the group. You can’t help but laugh at their habits and their humming.
The one-hour trek is very easy going and John makes sure everyone is comfortable with their alpaca. We took plenty of photo stops and treat stops for the animals.
Wild Alpaca Way, Malin Head, Donegal
Myself and the lads enjoying a break stop on the Wild Alpaca Way, Malin Head, Donegal
The field trail is not mucky and they have a great new shelter on-site to stand in with the alpacas and to ask John and Sean plenty of questions about them.
This is a new venture for John, who switched from work as a plasterer to an alpaca trekker. Since starting the tours in June, he has welcomed visitors from all over the world who come to do something a little different on the Wild Atlantic Way. People from as far Canada, China, Singapore, New Zealand, Tasmania and closer to home have already enjoyed the Wild Alpaca Way this summer.
The famous Donegal welcome awaits everyone on the hills.
“We have a way of treating every customer like they’re the first,” John said.
Wild Alpaca Way, Malin Head, Donegal
And John will be open all year round, as well as hosting hen party mornings, team building days and bringing the alpacas out and about. If you are looking for some very special wedding guests, then this Malin crew would be delighted to get a day out!
Check out wildalpacaway.com for details on these alpaca treks. To book, call John on 087 666 5106
