Please click here for Club Rules.
1
Q. When does your Club go out walking?
A. We go hiking every week end and on Wednesday evenings during the Summer.
2
Q. At what time do you leave?
A. We start the walk at a time that people would arrive having left Letterkenny at 9 am. Club members are notified of exact time and place in advance.
3
Q. Can anyone join a hike with Swilly Hiking Club?
A. Having read all FAQ, including the Constitution, Rules, and Safety, you can (A) join online or (B) contact the club by email, text, Facebook messenger or WhatsApp and complete an application form. To join online, complete and submit the online application tab on this site. You will then be advised as to upcoming walks. When you come on a walk you can then complete your application by signing your application form and paying your annual subscription.
4
Q. How much is the membership fee?
A. The Membership fee is €50 per annum, November to November. This includes the insurance, membership of Mountaineering Ireland, a €5 donation to Donegal Mountain Rescue, plus a small donation to the club.
5
Q. As I don’t have a car, can transport be arranged?
A. As we are not facilitating car pooling at the moment. We don’t have a meet up point other than at the start of the walks.
6
Q. Will I be fit enough?
A. A normal healthy person who has been doing some walking or other regular exercise should be fit enough to join our club. Start with some of the easy or moderate walks. If in doubt consider a Wednesday walk. You will get help and advice along the way.
7
Q. How long do the walks last?
A. The walks usually last in the region of 4 hours. This is depending on the length of the actual walk being undertaken, the weather and any other consideration on the day. Some walks only last 3 hours while others can take up to 6 hours. Wednesday evening walks are always shorter.
8
Q. Where do you go walking, is it all on the mountains?
A. Most of our walks are in mountainous areas but not usually in the steep rocky areas. We don’t do cliff climbing. We cover a lot of the coastal walks of Donegal. In bad weather or to suit a particular occasion we go hiking along the trails of forest parks and on tracks. We also undertake walks in various parts of Ireland as well as trips abroad.
9
Q. Can I bring children?
A. No. Only children over 14 can become club members along with a parent or guardian but they must be accompanied by such parent/guardian on a hike.
10
Q. Can I bring my dog on a lead?
A. No. Sorry we have a no pet’s policy. A lot of the hills we hike can have sheep grazing or birds nesting. Dogs can be a nuisance on the hill and are not welcome.
11
Q. What would I need to wear?
A. It is important to have a good pair of comfortable boots with a good pair of hiking socks. Depending on the weather and time of year, you must have suitable raingear, inner layers, hat and gloves etc. These are outlined under safety. Our group leaders will not let a walker commence a hike if they are not properly attired. Boots are a *must* on all walks with the exception of a road/track walk.
12
Q. Do I need to take a bag and what would I need to bring with me?
A. It is advisable to take a rucksack in order to carry some extra clothing for wearing or which has been removed. It is also important to carry an ample supply of water and food for the hike. Items like sunscreen and a basic first aid kit are a necessity. Many hikers like to carry a camera and indeed many other accessories in their rucksack.