The picturesque fishing village of Roundstone is a must visit while travelling the Galway stretch of the Wild Atlantic Way. With its stunning views of the Twelve Bens mountain range, its proximity to sheltered beaches and the availability of hiking trails close by, this village has become a favourite of sailors, hikers and those who simply wish to spend a day relaxing on the beach. The village is a shining example of all the Connemara has to offer. During the summer months, the village bustles with tourists visiting the coffee shops and cafés, strolling around the harbour or visiting the craftshops at Roundstone Music.
Roundstone Regatta
If you are lucky enough to be in the village at the end of July, you may experience the famous Roundstone Regatta, where the famous Galway Hooker with their iconic red sails and the traditional currach meet to race in the bay. The regatta is one of the main events on the regatta calendar and takes place on a weekend in late July every summer (weather permitting). The sheltered harbour full of those traditional red sails with the backdrop of the Twelve Bens is a sight to behold.
Watersports
The proximity of Dogs Bay and Gurteen Bay with their back-to-back beaches makes Roundstone an ideal destination for water sports enthusiasts. Windsurfing, paddleboarding, kite surfing and kayaking are popular in the area and the beaches are also well protected from currents and considered safe for swimming. The harbour, of course provides safe haven for those travelling around the coast by boat.
Hiking in Roundstone
There is, of course, much hiking and hill walking in general in Connemara and the Twelve Bens and Maumturks mountain ranges are within easy reach of the village, but there is also plenty of hiking close by. Roundstone nestles under the shadow of Errisbeg mountain, a favourite with hill walkers and there are several hiking trails through the local bog landscape to be enjoyed also.
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