Walking & Hiking in Donegal

Glenveagh View Point Trail Length: 1km (This is a looped walk) Time: 35 mins Terrain: Steep stony path The View Point Trail is perhaps the best short walk option in the Park. It leads to an ideal vantage point for enjoying views of the rugged scenery, with magnificent perspectives of the castle below, Lough Veagh and the surrounding landscapes. This circular 1.5Km trail starts …

The Letterkenny Slí na Sláinte is 2.7km in length and starts at the Bus Depot at the Station Roundabout. To follow the route, continue towards Port Bridge passing Letterkenny Institute of Technology, then turning left just before the bridge onto Ballyraine Road. Passing the Mont Errigal Hotel and Ballyraine National School, turn left onto the Ramelton Road, noticing the pleasant view of Gortlee Wo…

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 …

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…

Carndonagh Sli Na Slainte Walk Starting Point: Walk begins at Public Services Centre on Station Rd. Leaving starting point and crossing Malin St. at Crossing Point (CP) (close to roundabout), continue past shopping centre (on right), along open stretch of road, passing Inishowen Co-Op. Turn right at bridge which spans the Glenagannon River and right at Tul Na Ri restaurant/pub. Extra care must be…

Drumboe Multi Access - This trail follows forest tracks looping through the southern part of the forest to the western end, with the return along the river bank. It passes through some of the quieter parts of the forest with many species of trees and shrubs and there are bluebells and wild garlic in spring. There are good views of the river. In winter parts of this trail along the river may be flo…

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 …

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…

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…

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…

Woodquarter Forest Trail: - Walking Trail and picnic site. This trail is along the western shore of Mulroy Bay. It is over undulating ground which rises steeply at the furthest section of the trail and offers panoramic views of the bay along the way. This site is in a part of Donegal which includes some of the most scenic areas of the county. It is on the western shore of Mulroy bay which is pa…

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…

Slí Ghabla (Gola Island) - Slí Dhún na nGall - Although relatively small, Gola Island is the ideal destination for a walker seeking an ‘off the beaten track’ experience. The island covers about 500 acres and is only one mile from the mainland. It is gently undulating, offers superb coastal scenery and supports an extensive range of birdlife. Looped Trail Length 4km Time 1hr 30mins Nearest To…

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…

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 …

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…

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

Length: 8km (Not a looped walk so walkers must return or arrange a drop off or collection) Time: 2hrs Terrain: A mostly flat dirt/gravel road rising gently over last 3km This walk is a natural extension of the lakeside walk. It follows the shortest and most easily negotiated natural route through the Derryveagh Mountains. However, before the glen road was built, the route was so r…

Walking tour of slieve league and its environs. The walk focuses on the folklore of the famous Sean O Eochaidh. Included in the walking tour is the history, culture and way of life of this spectacular place. The place comes to life with the folklore stories.

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…