The Lost Valley
A Special Area of Conservation and Natural Beauty 🌄
Before the first road was built in 1989, the Lost Valley was all but inaccessible. With no machinery or large farming equipment accessible before this, the area remained natural and largely unaffected by human intervention. The landscape has a rich history waiting to be discovered. At least seven generations of the Bourke family have walked the mountainside for more than three centuries to reach their house in the valley.
images © www.thelostvalley.ie
The Lost Valley possesses an unparalleled natural legacy, and as a result, the European Habitats Directive has declared it as a “Natural Heritage Area” and, more recently, a “Special Area of Conservation.” The Bourke family is committed to maintaining the valley’s preservation.
A unique wild Atlantic experience
Public access is strictly controlled. Only scheduled, guided tours are allowed. One group is allowed in per day to guarantee the sustainable usage of this landscape with high natural value. As a result, vulnerable eco-systems are protected but traditional sheep farming, which helped build and maintain these eco-systems, can continue. Additionally, it guarantees that every visitor will be able to appreciate the valley’s distinctive wilderness feature.
Cultural heritage
The Lost Valley is the original, untouched Ireland of yesteryear. The valley’s extensive history is unmatched. The silence, which is now unbroken by the family that used to live here and work the land, serves as a moving reminder of bygone eras. In terms of the manner of life in the nineteenth century and the truly catastrophic disruptions caused by the famine and its aftermath, it provides a unique insight into the cultural legacy of the west coast of Ireland.
Here, you can travel back in time to when kids used to play in the long-abandoned village that is now covered in hazel and bracken after the people were mercilessly uprooted as the “Great Famine” came to an end.
In such a gorgeous location, facing the Wild Atlantic, the absolute stillness and tranquility that surround the remnants of the abandoned settlement are quite stunning.
Experience The Lost Valley
Address: Silver Strand, Doovilra, Louisburgh, Co. Mayo
Web: https://www.thelostvalley.ie/
Phone: 085 113 9977
The Lost Valley map 🧭
FAQs about The Lost Valley near Louisburgh
Can I visit The Lost Valley without a booking?
No, pre-booking is essential. The Lost Valley is a working family farm and a Special Area of Conservation. To protect the environment and manage the farm safely, access is strictly limited to one guided tour group per day. Tours typically run from May to September, and you must contact the Bourke family in advance to secure a place.
What is included in the guided tour?
The experience is a 3-hour guided cultural adventure led by the Bourke family. It includes a walk through an untouched Famine-era deserted village, views of the Killary Fjord and Silver Strand, and a working sheepdog demonstration. To finish, guests are often treated to tea and biscuits in the family’s ancestral cottage while hearing stories of the valley’s history.
How difficult is the walk and what should I wear?
The tour follows a 4.5km looped “green road” and is considered a leisurely walk suitable for all ages. While there are some gentle inclines and uneven terrain, the pace is relaxed with frequent stops. Visitors are advised to wear sensible walking shoes or trainers and to bring a waterproof jacket, as the weather on the Atlantic coast can change quickly.
How much does it cost and are dogs allowed?
The standard price is €30 for adults, €10 for children (under 15), and a family ticket is available for €75. Because this is an active working sheep farm with livestock, no pets or dogs are permitted on the tour under any circumstances. Note: prices liable to change, check with tour organisers directly.
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