Walking & Hiking in Donegal

The Milford Slí na Sláinte is 3.7km in length and starts at the Diamond, at the top of the town. To follow the route, continue downhill along the main street, crossing the bridge over Maggie’s Burn. Continue onto the Ramelton road and then turn left onto the Fanad bypass road. Continue for well over 1.5 kilometers to the ‘Lough Road’ junction (recognised by the white stone edging). Turn left again…

This walk takes you on minor roads and surfaced track along a scenic stretch of the old Burtonport railway returning on quiet country lanes, passing Alcorns Gatehouse, Sweeneys Gatehouse, Dungloe Road Station, through ash woodland and an abundance of flora and fauna giving a splendid diversity of colour and sound changing with the seasons. Looped Trail Length: 5km Time: 1hr Nearest Town: Burt…

Donegal Trails Office works closely with other relevant agencies and community groups in the maintenance and development of walking, cycling and hiking routes in Co. Donegal. Based in Letterkenny PSC we work through Donegal County Council to provide assistance and support to community groups and the general public in the provision of a sustainable paths & trails infrastructure. Donegal County Cou…

The Cliff Walk as you would suspect from its very name is a walk along the cliff top and seashore of Bundoran’s West End. Starting out from the Tourist Information Office (See map) the route takes you westwards over the River Bradog and into the West End. At Bayview Avenue you can enjoy fine views of the Peak, Bundoran’s favourite haunt for surfers and across Donegal Bay. Continue on into the …

Drumharrif wood offers the family a gentle looped walk near the village of Pettigo on the border with Northern Ireland. The forest road section of trail follows the old Great Northern Railway line. The old station house was located close to the village of Pettigo. The trains travelled to Dublin, Enniskillen, Ballyshannon and Bundoran. The station closed in 1957. Walk: This looped trail takes y…

A visit to Ards Forest Park will reward everyone at any time of the year. The park covers approximately 480 hectares (1200 acres) and includes a variety of habitats, among them sand dunes, beaches, salt marshes, salt water lakes, rock face and, of course, coniferous and deciduous woodlands. With such a variety of landscapes, it is possible to spend many hours exploring this wonderful park. The sea…

Length: 3.5km (Not a looped walk) Time: 40mins Terrain: A mostly flat gravel path This trail brings you through the glen from the visitor centre Location is at the Bus Stop near the Visitor Centre. ( Grid Ref: C 039231) to Glenveagh castle and gardens. The walk begins at the bus shelter from where there is a fine view of the valley of Glenveagh and continues along the shores of Lo…

Lough Derg Pilgrim Path - The old pilgrimage road to Lough Derg follows in the footsteps of the medieval pilgrims — not to Station Island where pilgrims normally go today, but to the threshold of the larger Saints Island, which acted as its gateway several hundred years ago. The focus of the legendary St Patrick’s Purgatory, Station Island, was a deep pit in which those who spent a day and a night…

Drummonaghan Trail - This site is adjacent to the heritage town of Rathmelton. The town dates back to the early 17th century. The area was noted for flax growing which supported a thriving linen industry. In the 18th and early 19th centuries there was extensive trade between Rathmelton and the New World. The site provides a pleasant walk through both coniferous and broadleaf plantations. Along the…

Donegal really is a special place, it still retains a real sense of wildness and remoteness. If you’re looking to get away from it all, recharge and re-energise yourself there is no better place than the mountain ranges in Donegal! At Awaken Adventures we can take you on a guided hike around the many ranges, the hikes can be specifically tailored to suit your needs. Whether it’s iconic Erriga…

The ancient territory (The Land of the O Doherty’s), of County Donegal is the most northerly part of Ireland. Its northern shore is on the restless Atlantic Ocean with Lough Swilly forming its western boundary and Lough Foyle to the east. Monuments of an earlier age grow from the landscape as castles, towers and ancient churches. The Celtic crosses and the pagan monuments come together in a co…

The Moville Slí na Sláinte is a 4.4km route which follows a picturesque 2.2km path along the River Foyle before returning back to Moville. The route starts at the Market Square, just off the Main Street and turns onto Jamess Street and down towards The Green (a 10 acre site donated by the Montgomery Family, ancestors of Field Marshal Montgomery the 2nd World War hero), where it follows the bottom …

Drumboe Loop Trail - This trail loops around the northern part of the forest, following old forest roads and tracks and a new section of trail. This is a very pleasant walk through many species of trees, including some very large ones with bluebells in spring. Looped Trail Length: 2km Time: 1hr Nearest Town: Stranorlar Coilte Recreational Trails In the 17th century, a castle stood at the …

Pleasant walk through bogland & heather offering great views of Muckish Mountain & the vast expanse of bogland in the shadow of this iconic mountain. Walk is short but provides a good atmospheric flavour of the vast walking potential of this area. Walk is adequately signposted - best in dry conditions and suitable for whole family. Looped Trail Length: 2km Time: 35min Nearest Town: Crees…

This linear trail on forest road and path takes in Bonnyglen Lough and Lough Namanlagh with some smaller lakes and streams to be seen along the route. There is a number of tree species to be enjoyed in this beautiful and peaceful woodland with a wide variety of wildlife including a heron colony. Linear Trail Length: 3km | Time: 1 hour - moderate Nearest Town: Glenties

Cosán Colmcille - Although close to the town of Milford, and easily accessed from there, Loch Colmcille is a remote and tranquil location in an area which is rich in history and wildlife. The route to and from Milford is along footpath and quiet roads, whilst the 2.5 km section to the east of the Loch is along a disused road which is not accessible to cars. Distance: Approximately 7 kms Time…

Hiking Donegal is your gateway to discovering what Donegal has to offer with regards to hiking and climbing. The website highlights the great coastal hikes, inland trails and peaks within the county. From gentle hikes, to more challenging routes that take in all Donegal has to offer. No matter what level of fitness or experience, everyone should be encouraged to experience the great outdoors a…

This section of the Burtonport Railway Walk is a 6 km route through spectacularly remote areas of County Donegal with magnificent views as it follows the route of the railway line to Burtonport. This section runs along Muckish Mountain from Creeslough to Falcarragh. Along the way the trail passes by lough Agher, cuts through rocky outcrops showing some of the engineering fetes involved in the cons…

Glenveagh Lough Inshagh Walk Length: 7km (Not a looped walk so walkers must return to the Visitor Centre or arrange a vehicle at the Lacknacoo car park at Gartan) Time: 1hr 30mins Terrain: Stony dirt track ending on a quiet tarred road This pathway once connected Glenveagh Castle to the village of Church Hill. The carriages of the Lough Swilly Railway brought visitors to the ra…

This purpose built walking and cycling trail follows the old railway line which served a Bord na Mona turf extraction facility. It crosses the Ownea River (and the Bluestack Waymarked Way at this point), passes through an area of forestry and ends at the remote, but hauntingly beautiful, Lough McHugh. Linear Trail Distance: Approximately 2.8 kms Time: 1 hours Terrain: Purpose built path …