Walking & Hiking in Donegal

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…

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…

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…

Discover the Wild Alpaca Way on Donegals Inishowen peninsula. Enjoy a memorable experience in a stunning picturesque part of Donegal. Alpaca are curious, friendly and inquisitive creatures with an excellent temperament with their own unique characteristics. Get up close to nature and take in the fresh Malin Head air! Enjoy our natural environment, trekking with our herd of Alpacas around Ire…

Walking around Dunree Point is undoubtably one of the highlights of a visit to the Inishowen Peninsula. A series of signposted footpaths allow the visitor to explore at their own pace. Detailed information boards, shelters, picnic tables and benches help to create a memorable experience whether you are a first time or regular visitor. Walk 1 is the most effortless of the three walks but it is…

Céad mile fáilte go ‘Hillwalking Donegal’. Go dté mar atá sibh! My name is Seamus Doohan. I was born and raised in the Gaeltacht area of Falcarragh in Co. Donegal, under the shadow of the majestic Derryveagh mountains, and within a whisper of the rugged coastline of the wild North Atlantic. As someone who has a passion for the outdoors, it was inevitable that I would take to hill walking. …

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 …

The Lifford Slí is 3km in length and joins the Highway to Health route in Strabane as the first cross-border Slí na Sláinte route. The route begins at the church and continues in the direction of Lifford Bridge, by-passing the Town. At this point there is a Loop walk of 1.4km which takes in the Town if you wish. Crossing Lifford Bridge you will reach the Barnhill Road By-pass joining you to the 4.…

Loch Eachnais - This walk forms part of Sli na Rossan (National Waymarked Way) but is an excellent short walk on its own. Shortly after leaving the beach/car park you are in quiet countryside with excellent views over the Rosses and out towards Arranmore Island. Linear Trail Distance: Approximately 4 kms (there and back) Time: 30 minutes to 1 hour Terrain: Rough track, quiet roads. Gra…

The views in Donegal are stunning, so a country stroll becomes a mini-adventure for all the family. Ardnamona Woods is a marvellous quiet Nature Reserve with a nicely created walking path loops around large oak, hazel and holly trees in a Woodland that is left in its natural state. There are beautiful mosses, bluebells, wood sorrel, streams and the lakeside to enjoy on this delightful walk develo…

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…

Doochary - Fintown - This spectacular walk, which is a section of Bealach na Gaeltachta Waymarked Way, can begin/end in either Doochary or Fintown. It takes you through some of Donegals finest woodland walking and a modest climb just north of Fintown gives spectacular views across the surrounding countryside. Distance: Approximately 9 kms Time: 3 hours Terrain: Quiet roads, bog road/rough trac…

The Irish Sports Council launched a digital Video #FindYourTrail to encourage people of all ages and ability to enjoy the great Irish outdoors. Recreational trails help people to enjoy the outdoors and facilitate, promote and manage a range of outdoor activities including countryside walking and hiking, on and off-road cycling, trail running, canoeing, horse-riding and even motorised sports, all …

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…

Dungloe River Walk - Slí Dhún na nGall - This walk is a pleasant stroll in the environs of Dungloe Town taking in the Dungloe River and Glenties Road. On pavement and path you are likely to see amazing birdlife. Looped Trail Length: 2km Time 40min Nearest Town: Dungloe Linked to National Waymarked Way

The Bluestack Way is a 65km route through a true wilderness area of County Donegal in the north west of Ireland with great views as it traverses the Bluestack Mountains, a range of low rounded hills. It connects Donegal town with the town of Ardara on the west coast. Along the way the route passes by scenic Lough Eske, and then wends its way across the foothills of the Bluestacks to reach an area …

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…

This trail takes you on forest road and path around little Lough Bonnyglen and passes through a plantation of Sitka spruce. The peaceful lakes and woods attract a wide variety of wildlife. Looped Trail Length: 1km | Time: 40min - easy Nearest town: Glenties

Slí na Finne is a 42 km long circular section of the 280km Slí Dhún na nGall that loops through the mountains of central Donegal touching on Lough Finn, a lake steeped in legends of the superhero, Finn Mc Cumhaill, and the River Finn, one of the best salmon rivers in Europe. It is a route that takes in the villages of Fintown, Brockagh and Comeen and what County Donegal is best for, its wilderness…

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…