Walking Routes
South & West Donegal's unspoilt beauty provides walkers with the opportunity to experience the different cultures, folklore & landscapes which make up this unique part of Ireland.
Our dramatic landscapes are just waiting to be discovered.There are coastal walks looped walks, long distance waymarked routes and beautiful forest walks, you will be spoilt for choice.
Mt. Errigal
Startin/Finishing Point: The most popular point for starting
the ascent on one of Donegal`s most easily recognised peaks is at grid ref.
B947199. at this point, it is possible to park a few cars safely off the R251
which runs between Dunlewy and the Genveigh National Park.
ROUTE DESCRIPTION:
From thecar park", make your way towards the base of the mountain. The
beginning of the path is over boggy and often waterlogged ground. In the
distance, you will see a set of fence posts. Make for these, as they mark the
start of the path up the eastern slope of Errigal. After approx. one hour, you
will come to one of the narrowest parts of the path, with a sharp drop on your
right side. Shortly after passing here, you will crest a ridge with a small
ring-fort like structure that can provide a bit of shelter from the wind. Beside
this small windbreak, stands the Joey Glover Memorial. From here, you are only
approx. 10 minutes from the top. The summit actually consists of two peaks,
connected by a narrow ridge. On a clear day, the views are spectacular, with
most of Donegal and some of the surrounding counties opening out below you. To
return to your car, retrace your steps, remembering to take care when descending
the scree slopes. Great care should be taken on the scree slopes, especially on
the descent. In the area between Errigal and Mackoght, you can see small mounds.
These appear to be ice-age drumlins, however, these consist of stone, and not
the usual soil that is more common.
DISTANCE: APPROX. 4 km
ASCENT: APPROX. 510 mtr
TIME: APPROX. 2.5 HOURS
Slieve League
START/FINISHING POINT: Bunglas car park. To get here
from Donegal Town, take the N56 towards Killybegs. When you reach
Killybegs, keep on the R263 until you arrive at Carrick. Cross the
bridge, take the second left (follow the sign for Teelin/Bunglass
cliffs), and follow the road towards Teelin. When you arrive in Teelin,
turn right after you pass the post office (Gallagher`s). Continue up the
road, following the sign until you come to the gate, ( close the gate after you).
Keep going until you get to the carpark. If you are driving,
do not be alarmed if the road disappears from your field of vision, as
there are a few steep gradients and the only thing you will see is the
distant horizan. ROUTE DESCRIPTION: From the car park, follow the
well-marked path leading towards the first summit
(Scregeighter-308metres). Keep following the path, which changes from
following the edge of the cliffs to wandering more inland. On the path,
there are a few places where extreme care must be taken. i.e. G558775
after you pass spot height 435metres. One of the paths leads you to a
very narrow, steep, knife-edge with a near vertical drop on the seaward
side. and very steep slopes on the inland side. However, there is a
safer inland path on which you can safely by-pass these places, and
rejoin the same route after a few hundred metres. From here, continue to
follow the worn path, which leads upwards towards the rock strewn
plateau. When you reach the plateau, follow the line of the cliffs until
you come to "ONE MAN`S PASS". Although it sounds narrow, it is wide
enough, in places, for at least two people to pass by. When you cross
over the "pass", follow the cliff until you come to the trig point. You
are now at the summit of Slieve League (1972 feet-595mts). If you
continue along the cliff edge for approx. 100 mts, look downwards to
coast line and you will see rock chimneys, reminiscent of the wild west.
When you return across "ONE MAN`S PASS", you are faced with two options,
return by the route you ascended, or descend the "Pilgrim's Path" (also
known as the "Old Man's Pass"). If you choose the latter, follow the
cairns which dot the plateau, and you will find the ruins of a small
chapel (associated with Saints Aedh Mac Bric and Assicus). The last
pilgrimage to these ruins was held in approx. 1909. From here, start
down the valley towards Teelin. Take care, as the path underfoot is
sometimes rocky/slippery/waterlogged. At the bottom of the path, you
will come to a set of sheep pens. From here, follow the roadway back to
your starting point, or if feeling energetic, go "cross country" until
you arrive back at the car park.
POINTS TO NOTE: IF YOU SUFFER FROM VERTIGO, OR THE DAY HAS STRONG GUSTS
OF WIND BLOWING, I RECOMMEND THAT YOU STAY ON THE "PILGRIM`S PATH".
DISTANCE: APPROX. 10km
ASCENT: APPROX. 700 mtr
TIME: 4/5 Hrs
St Johns Point
This is the end of the long narrow peninsula that runs south-west from Dunkineely. To get here, drive west on the N56 from Donegal Town towards Killybegs. In the locality, you will find the remains of times long gone. Everything from Standing stones to an old castle. From an old Friary, to no less than twelve ring forts. Drive along the peninsula for approx. 8 km until you come to the beach. Park the car, and you can walk in either direction. The walk towards the lighthouse is rewarding with magnificent views of Donegal Bay, the islands, the surrounding coastline.
Slieve Snaght & Poisned Glen
STARTING/FINISHING POINT: The car park at Lough Barra
(Grid Ref. B929124), on the R254 from Doocharry to Glendowan. ROUTE DESCRIPTION:
Leave the car park and walk north-east along the road for a
few hundred metres. When you pass the line of cliffs, move onto the
boggy ground which forms the valley floor, and make for the first
waterfall on the right side of the valley (G.R. B929137). To get there,
you will have to cross up to three streams depending on the route you
take. Climb up the slope beside the waterfall. This is steep, but not
impossible. At the top, follow the stream until you come to Lough Slieve Snaght.
If you're lucky, you may come across the local Deer, which roam
freely among the surrounding hills. From the Lough, move in a westerly
direction up the hill until you reach the cairn, which marks the summit
of the mountain. On a good day, the panoramic views are worth the climb,
with the lakes below just a small part of the scenery. From the cairn,
take a south-westerly route, and descend the side of the mountain until
you come to the waterfall at the head of the valley that you originally
started up. Care should be taken on the descent, as the ground is steep
and treacherous. At the top of the waterfall, you have two options,
either go down beside the waterfall and make your way back to the car
park along the valley floor, or follow the ridge on the southwest side
of the valley. If you decide to descend the waterfall, avoid the rock
slabs, as these are usually very slippery! This last stage of the walk
can be boggy with a lot of holes hidden in the heather. If you decide to
follow the high ground, remember to come back down before you get too
close to the road as you will find yourself at the top of the cliffs!
Get back on to the road and make your way back to the car park.
POINTS TO NOTE: The valley floor can be very waterlogged, and the walk
may be best left until the summer months. DURING CERTAIN MONTHS, DEER
CULLING TAKES PLACE, SO IT WOULD BE ADVISABLE TO CONTACT GLENVEAGH NATIONAL PARK FOR DETAILS. DISTANCE: APPROX. 7 km
ASCENT: APPROX. 580 mtr
TIME: 3 HRS
Glenveagh National Park
GlenveaghNational Park lies in the heart of the
Derryveagh Mountains inthe north-west of County Donegal.
It is a remote and hauntingly beautiful wilderness of rugged mountains and pristine lakes.
There are 5 signposted walks within the Park ranging in length from 3km
to 22km long to suit both the casual and experienced walker.
Bloody Foreland Walk
Walk Details
A coastal walk against the back drop of one of Donegal's iconic landmarks -BloodyForeland.
The route is signposted as part of the Bealach na Gaeltachta - Sli an Earagail.
Distance: Approximately 13 kms
Time: 2 - 3 hours
Terrain: Quiet roads, bog road/rough track.
Grading: Moderate - although there is no climbing involved, the route underfoot can be rough in places and
sections of the walk can feel remote, particularly in poor weather.
Getting There
The walk can start/end at either its northern end at Bunaninver(approx 2kms west of Falcarragh) or its southern end at Lough Aninver (approx 4.5 kms north of Derrybeg).
Parking is limited at both locations and visitors are asked to park sen-sitively and to ensure that parked vehicles do not obstruct access for local people or work activities.