Walking & Hiking in Donegal

The Culdaff Slí na Sláinte is a 3.4km route, which starts at the Wee Hall in the village centre. The route continues for 1.7km along a well-maintained path towards Culdaff beach, car park and children’s playground. To complete the route, walk back to the starting point at the Wee Hall. Linear Trail Length 3.4km Time 30min Nearest Town: Culdaff Coillte Recreational Trails. The Long Strand …

The walk takes you on tarred road as it circles the island bringing you to the wild and uninhabited interior and western side of the island as well as through the houses concentrated along the southern and eastern sides. There is a spur walk to the remote Lighthouse. Views are of superb coastal and island scenery. Arranmore is the largest island off the Donegal coast. The settlements are limit…

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 …

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 …

Slí na Rossan - Slí Dhún na nGall - Part of the 280km Slí Dhún na nGall, Slí na Rosann is a 65km circular route covering an area called the Rosses, which lies between the western outliers of the Derryveagh Mountains and the much indented Atlantic coast in west County Donegal. It is a wonderfully scenic, rock-strewn landscape scattered with more than a hundred lakes, which make it a mecca for angle…

This site is in a forested area alongside the N56 which is the gateway to west Donegal. This area of Co Donegal has strong historical connections with the ODonnell chieftains. It was on Doon Rock which is in the Kilmacrenan area that the inauguration of the O’Donnell chieftains took place, the last such ceremony having occurred in 1603.This area of Donegal is also of religious significance as it w…

This trail takes the walker on forest road through mixed age coniferous plantations past Rinnalack Hill and on to the shores of Lough Lilly. A small fen has developed here allowing white and yellow water lilies to flourish. 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 t…

Slí an Earagail is a section of the 280km Slí Dhún na nGall that covers a Gaeltacht area of west Donegal: in Gaeltacht areas Gaelic is the primary language. The circular, relatively flat route is named after Errigal mountain (751m), which rises to the east and whose pyramidic, grey-streaked quartzite cone is a presence frequently visible along the route, even from the coastal stretches. It is …

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…

Inch Wildfowl Reserve - Situated in the shadow of Scalp Mountain on the eastern shores of Lough Swilly, tucked neatly behind Inch Island, you will find Inch Wildfowl Reserve. The combination within this site of extensive feeding areas and safe resting and roosting sites makes this site one of the most important wetlands in the country for wintering waterfowl. This site is situated to the east of L…

South West Donegal offers one of the most breathtaking stretches of Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way. From the vibrant fishing port of Killybegs to the cultural heartland of Glencolmcille, this region is rich in natural beauty, heritage, and traditional charm. Explore the lively village of Kilcar, known for its handwoven tweed and coastal walks, and nearby historic Carrick, the gateway to the majest…

Loch Chonaill Railway Walk - This walk on a wide gravelled track provides pleasant easy walking, for most of its length following the north western bank of Loch Chonaill with a lovely open vista of typical Donegal bogland, lakeshore and mountain landscapes. Linear Walk Length 2.2km Time 35min Nearest Town: Loughanure Local Walk

Come along and experience the magic of watching the sun rise from the summit of Errigal, seeing the amazing Donegal landscape slowly being revealed as the sun rises over the land! Clothing - wear comfortable and warm clothing, no denim, bring an extra warm layer plus waterproofs. Footwear - hiking boots are ideal but any sensible and secure footwear with good grips will suffice (no open toes…

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

this is a walk for fit and experienced walkers only. Starting at the spectacularly located car park on the north side of the Gap of Marmore, this route takes the walker into the heart of Inishowens finest hills. The walk offers an unfolding backdrop of the rugged coastal scenery of north Donegal with Panoramic views in all directions. There is also a linear walk Marmore to Straid incorporating i…

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…

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…

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…

A full moon hike up Donegal's most iconic peak - Errigal! Come along and experience the magic of watching the sun set from the summit of Errigal, then descending as the full moon rises and the stars come out! Clothing - wear comfortable and warm clothing, no denim, bring an extra warm layer plus waterproofs. Footwear - hiking boots are ideal but any sensible and secure footwear with good …

Pleasant walk through bogland & heather offering great views of Muckish Mountain & the vast expanse of bogland in the shadow of this iconic mountain. Walking is largely on level rough surfaced tracks with some sections of rougher bog paths which could be wet at times,Much of the walk is along the old track path of the historic Burtonport rail line passing alongside Lough Achair and offering dist…