MS Ireland has been organising Treks for nearly 30 years. Best known for the Camino treks through France, Spain and Portugal, MS Ireland has also taken groups to all corners of the earth from Peru to Burma, and India to Cuba.
In September MS Ireland took a group of 40 walkers to Croatia to trek through the beautiful Biokovo Mountains north of Podgora and then on to the islands of Hvar, Korcula and Miljet before finishing with the walk up from Dubrovnik to the Old Fort above the town.
The first couple of days in the mountains were challenging as much for the rocky terrain as for the heat, but the stunning views made up for it. Climbing up from the port town of Omis to the top of the summit at Planina Skloniste we could see many islands including Hvar were we would go next. The flora and fauna were wonderful – walking on wild herbs as you hiked up the mountain, past crocuses and cyclamen, we even spotted an ibex!
The following days were in complete contrast walking through deserted villages, along coastal routes and in pine forests, with a day on the island of Miljet which is a national park. Each day was different and the trekkers particularly enjoyed being able to swim on occasion as it was very hot.
Our final day in Dubrovnik started with the walk up to the fort past the Stations of the Cross and then finished with a tour of the old town. In the few days the trekkers were able to experience all the Croatia has to offer from the mountains to island hopping.
MS Ireland treks are unique. The attention to detail is what keeps people coming back on our treks year after year. Jean Maguire and Lorraine Rooney, who have walked with MS Ireland for a combined 49 years, are testimony of this.
“It was the challenge that brought me to the MS Ireland Treks,” comments Jean on her decision to participate in her first trek. “The more my friends told me I couldn’t do it the more determined I was! After that I fell in love with trekking, the camaraderie of trekkers and the organisation.”
Lorraine adds, “The MS Ireland Treks really are for everyone. It is very special to be able to experience your own personal journey, while walking along some of the most magical routes in the world with new lifelong friends. The feeling you get from knowing you are supporting such an important and vitally needed charity is indescribable. I’d recommend it to anyone.”
In 2018 MS Ireland will be trekking the Via Francigena to Rome in the spring and we will be going to Jordan in October and for the more adventurous we have 2 treks to Everest Base Camp in April and October.
For further information on these treks please contact Melanie Cunningham – melaniec@ms-society.ie