walks donegal

Dunree Hill is largely composed of flaggy quartzite rock and when you reach Dunree Bay or Portbane, you can see rock beds of schistose at the waters edge, weathered by frost and sea. The Bay and surrounding low land is full of blown sand. It seems that two hundred years ago the sand banks all along the north coast of Donegal broke up and the 1820’s were a particularly severe period for drifting. Beneath the sands lie the remains of the village of Killard which was covered by the sands in an anci...

This walk begins at Ballynarry Strand now called Stragill. When you are at the Strand walk to the right along the northern side and at the far end of the bay you can see where the sand ends the rock of Ballynarry Hill. That point marks the end of the northern schist rocks and the beginning of Crana quartzite rocks. The walk also takes in Mount Peter, Coplagh rocks, Currach hole, Linsfort Church and Castle, and Linsfort House (The Covent)....

The Kilcar Way Walk is, in fact, a trinity of equally beautiful walks, starting in the viallage. One loops around the western foothills of Mulnanaff, the second runs east and north-east to Kilcar Forest and the third skirts Tawny Bay to Slieve League....

If you drive from Buncrana towards the Gap of Mamore then when you are on the upper road you take the fourth turn right after Dunree junction, beside an asbestos roofed house and you arrive at Green Hill. The walk begins at the old church and takes in the road from Green hill to Mintiaghs, Owenirk River, Lough Doo and Lough Shivnagh, with a view of Slieve Sneacht in the distance....

A remarkable priest, Father McDyer, started a self reliance co-operative movement among the inhabitanats of this village in the 1950's and his efforts have put Glencolmcille on the social and tourist maps. The area is rich in archaelological reamins and the valley is naturally beautiful....

This walk takes in the following: Straid Church, Sraid, Clonmany This church is now in ruins. St. Columba originally founded it in the sixth century. In the grave yard there is a stone on which, as tradition says, St. Columba prayed. Although originally built as a Catholic Church it later became Protestant....

Tradition tells us, that one day while travelling through the Gap of Mamore St.Columba rested near the well, which now lends his name. He prayed on the flag-stone and drank from the spring which he blessed and then went on his way. The date of his visit could be either 15th August or 8th September. So from time immemorial the people of the district have been making a Turas (Pilgrimage) at the well. It consisted of three visits to the well. First on 15th August the third on 8th September and the...

'The Circular’ takes you past Donagh Cross and near Killbride- takes about 40 mins....

Magnificent views of Slieve Sneacht and the town seen against the backdrop of Trawbreaga Bay and Malin Head-takes about 1 hour....

This is the longest of the walks but for the energetic walker, it is well worth the effort as the vista changes with every kilometer. The car park is a good place to start (at Knockamany) but before setting off, have a look at all the interesting points and fine views around. Below is the Five Fingers Strand surrounded by some of the highest sand dunes in Donegal. Nestling among the dunes is the oldest R.C. Church in Inishowen still in use. Across the water is the Isle of Doagh, to the right, ar...