Donegal Walking Holiday

Donegal town

Afternoon

The town of Donegal will be your base for this 4-night guided walking holiday in Ireland’s beautiful North West. Donegal town occupies a photogenic spot at the mouth of Donegal Bay set against the backdrop of the Blue Stack Mountains. With an excellent choice of places to eat, drink and sleep Donegal town makes the ideal base for exploring this stunning county. Donegal is filled with remote mountain passes, shimmering lakes, rugged coastlines and wild peninsulas making it a must visit location for every outdoor enthusiast. On arrival in Donegal town in the afternoon, check in to your hotel. We recommend arriving no later than 16:00 hrs so you have time to settle in before meeting our guide.

Welcome meeting & evening meal

Evening

Lets’ come together for a welcome meeting! At 17.00hrs, our guide will host an introductory gathering at our hotel so we can get prepared for the great hikes to be had in the coming days of our walking holiday. Afterwards join our guide and fellow group members for a welcome evening meal at the nearby Olde Castle Bar & Restaurant. After dinner, the remainder of the evening is at leisure for you to explore Donegal independently as you wish.

Accommodation

Overnight

3 star hotel in Donegal (4 nights)

Glencolmcille

Full day

Join us for a full day of exploration by foot in the stunning surroundings of Glencolmcille. After breakfast we will drive west from Donegal town to reach the beautiful village of Glencolmcille, located in the south west corner of Donegal (Transfer time: 1 hour approximately). Our hike begins just outside the village starting along an ancient pilgrim route with history and archaeology all around us.  We will hear about St. Columba and his fascinating story and association with this magnificent location.  Our hike continues to an impressive headland with glorious views along Donegal’s stunning coastline.  We will then follow along an impressive cliff track, then crossing some open bogland before completing our hike.  During today’s hike we can expect to experience some road walking, some grassy tracks, some open bogland and some exposed cliffs so hiking poles are recommended. Hiking boots with good ankle support will be essential for all our hikes throughout this guided walking holiday. We will also have a packed lunch included on all three of our hiking days.

(Distance: 11kms/ Duration spent walking: 4.5 hours / Difficulty: Moderate / Height Gain: 471m / Height Loss: 472m / Max Height: 265m)

Donegal at leisure

Evening

You will have the full evening at leisure in Donegal town to spend as you wish. With a wonderful old Castle and history calling you to every corner of the town, you will have ample opportunity to explore this wonderful place. Your local guide will be happy to suggest restaurants, pubs, cafes, and other local activities to suit your taste.

Errigal Mountain

Morning

Lets’ climb a mountain! No trip to Donegal would be complete without a trek up the iconic Errigal Mountain which dominates the scenery of the Derryveagh Mountains. After breakfast we will depart our hotel by coach towards the small Gaeltacht village of Dunlewy. This beautiful location will be the starting point of our hike. We will begin by crossing over wet bogland to reach the stony hillside that takes us up to the top of Errigal.  As we gain height the views open around us, offering wonderful panoramas towards the “Poisoned Glen”, Muckish Mountain, the other peaks of the Derryveagh Mountains and Aghla Mor. We will return down the mountain along the same route, feeling a huge sense of achievement that we have climbed Donegal’s highest mountain together! During our hike we can expect to encounter loose stones and rocks which can be slow and tough underfoot so hiking poles are strongly recommended.

(Distance: 5 kms / Duration spent walking: 3 - 4 hours / Difficulty: Moderate / Height Gain: 547m / Height Loss: 548m/ Max Height: 707m)

Glenveagh National Park

Afternoon

Lets’ discover some more of Donegal’s natural beauty. This afternoon we will continue to Glenveagh National Park, Ireland’s second largest national park. This beautiful location boasts wonderful wilderness, rugged mountains, unspoiled lakes, oak woodlands and sparkling waterfalls, with the historic Glenveagh Castle at its centre on the edge of Lough Veagh. We will spend some time walking around the gardens and through the extensive parkland along a prepared, level trail. Afterwards we will make the return journey to Donegal town. Our total travel time by coach today from morning until evening will be approximately 4 hours broken into our 3 different journeys throughout the day.

(Distance: 8 kms / Duration spent walking: 2.5 hours / Difficulty: Moderate). 

Donegal at leisure

Evening

This evening will be free for you to spend as you desire. Continue to independently explore the cultural highlights of Donegal town, rest and recuperate at your hotel following the days outdoor pursuits or sample some of the nightlife at a local traditional pub. Your local guide will be happy to make suggestions to suit your taste.

Slieve League

Full day

Join us for another day of hiking amidst the beautiful scenery of Donegal. After breakfast we will drive west from Donegal as we travel through the fishing town of Killybegs to reach Teelin to take on one of the most exhilarating hikes in Ireland at Slieve League.  Following an old pilgrim route into the mountains we will reach the stunning “One Man’s Pass”.  From here we can enjoy views across Donegal Bay to Sligo, west to Glencolmcille and north across the Blue Stack Mountains.  We will then descend along a stunning cliff top route, which has exposed cliffs in many places, to reach the beautiful viewing point at Bunglass Cliffs.  This offers incredible views of Slieve League and along the coast to Raithlin O’Birne Island.  We will then continue along a small road to reach our coach and transfer back to Donegal town. During our hike we can expect to experience some road walking, some grassy tracks, open bogland and exposed, unprotected cliff edges. There is one section of approximately 300m where we will have to walk over some boulders. Hiking poles are strongly recommended.

(Distance: 14kms / Duration spent walking: 5.5 hours / Difficulty: Moderate / Height Gain: 852m / Height Loss: 848m / Max Height: 587m)

Visit The Rusty Mackeral in Teelin

Late afternoon

After our hike we will transfer by coach to Teelin to visit The Rusty Mackeral, a renowned traditional Irish pub. Sitting at the foot of Slieve League, The Rusty Mackerel hosts a vibrant mix of both locals and visitors alike who come to soak up the warm atmosphere. This is ideal spot to enjoy a local craft beer or warm up with a hot coffee following a day on the mountain. We will have 1 hour together here before transferring back to Donegal town.

Farewell meal & Donegal at leisure

Evening

Join us for a farewell evening meal at The Olde Castle Bar & Restaurant. Lets’ spend some time reminiscing over our adventurous outdoor pursuits in Donegal as we share dinner time together. Afterwards you will have the remainder of the evening at your leisure to enjoy as you wish. Venture out to soak up the atmosphere of the charming town of Donegal for your final night or unwind at your hotel. The choice is all yours.  

Depart Donegal

Morning

Join us for one final breakfast together at our hotel. After breakfast you are free to depart at your own leisure, by bus or private arrangements as you bid Donegal farewell.