8-day Donegal Guided Walk

Day 1 - Ardara

Arrive for overnight at your first guesthouse at Ardara. Evening meal together and a general chat about the coming week’s hikes.

Your guide will meet you there at 18.00 hrs. for a Briefing Session followed by dinner with the group at 19.00 hrs.

Day 2 - Glencolumbcille

On your first day you will follow the old pilgrimage route at Glencolumbcille, a holy site since the days of St. Columbcille in the 6th century.

At the end of the hike you return to Ardara for dinner and overnight.

Walk Details – Distance: 12kms. Duration: 4½ hours. Max. Height: 300m. Grass tracks and open mountain with rocky sections and no tracks. Some road walking. Boots essential.

Day 3 - Slieve League

Today you hike along the famous Slieve League to complete a most impressive hike across these high and spectacular cliffs on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean. 

Walk Details – Distance: 13kms. Duration: 5 hours. Max. Height: 750m. Grass tracks and open mountain with rocky sections and no tracks. Some road walking. Boots essential.

Day 4 - Bluestack Mountains

You will follow a route along the Bluestack Mountains, one of the last true wilderness regions of Ireland with picturesque views of lakes, sea and unspoilt countryside to finish in the village of Glenties. Transfer to the region known as Gweedore for dinner and overnight.

Walk Details – Distance: 15kms. Duration: 4 hours. Max. Height: 245m. Grass tracks and open mountain with rocky sections and no tracks. Some road walking. Boots essential.

Day 5 - Free Day

Today is your “free” day when you can enjoy a day of relaxation or enjoy some other activities available in the locality. Weather permitting, your guide may arrange a boat trip to Tory Island, Gola Island or Aranmore Island – each island with it’s own unique beauty & history.

Day 6 - Errigal Mountain

Today, from the village of Dunlewy you climb Errigal, Donegal’s highest and best known peak.

Walk Details – Distance: 8kms. Duration: 5 hours. Max. Height: 751m. Stony tracks and open mountain with rocky sections and no tracks. Some road walking. Boots essential.

Day 7 - Horn Head

Your last day’s hike is on the promontory of Horn Head near Dunfanaghy. This spectacular headland offers some fine cliff scenery and views across the wild waters of Sheep Haven Bay to the Rosguill and Fanad Peninsulas.

Walk Details – Distance: 15kms. Duration: 4½ hours. Max. Height: 250m. Grassy tracks and open moorland with rocky sections and no tracks. Some road walking. Boots essential.

Day 8 - Departure

Departure after breakfast, transfer to Letterkenny bus station for onward connection to Derry, Donegal, Dublin and to all major towns and airports in Ireland.