Self-Guided Donegal Hike - 5 Days
Highlights
- Scale the heights of Errigal Mountain
- Ride the ferry to rustic Gola Island
- Catch local conversation in Gaeltacht, an Irish-speaking area
- Hike through coastal bogs on the Bloody Foreland
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrival in Bunbeg | Bunbeg |
| Day 2 | Gweedore to Dunlewy | Dunlewy |
| Day 3 | Dunlewy to Falcarragh | Dunfanaghy |
| Day 4 | Dunfanaghy to Horn Head or Bloody Foreland Loop | Dunfanaghy |
| Day 5 | Departure |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Bunbeg
Your holiday starts in the village of Bunbeg, right in the heart of the Gaeltacht, an Irish-speaking area of Ireland. This lovely place is on the shores of the Wild Atlantic Way, and if you are fortunate enough to arrive early in the day, you may be able to take a boat trip out to Gola Island or Tory Island.
Day 2: Gweedore to Dunlewy
You will be driven to the start of your walk this morning. Start at Clady Bridge near Gweedore: from there, you will be following a forest path walk on the five-mile journey to Dunlewy. As you approach Dunlewy Lake, you will have magnificent views of Errigal Mountain. After the hike, you'll get a ride back to your hotel in Bunbeg.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 3: Dunlewy to Falcarragh
Today, transfer to Dunlewy, where you'll walk along remote back roads to the village of Falcarragh. This ten-mile hike is a beautiful walk along the foothills of Errigal, following part of the old railway line that once ran from Creeslough to Dungloe. At the end of the hike, you'll be close to the coast. A driver will pick you up and take you to Dunfanaghy, where you'll spend the night.
Day 4: Dunfanaghy to Horn Head or Bloody Foreland Loop
Today you have a choice of walks from Dunfanaghy. If the weather is good, try McSwyne’s Gun Loop on Horn Head, walking from your hotel to Horn Head Bridge and back again—the round-trip hike is about 3.5 miles. Alternatively, hike around Bloody Foreland on a coastal walk through extensive bogs that are harvested for turf. You could either hike there—though at 15 miles away, it would take half the day—or get a ride to the Bloody Foreland area and explore it on foot. You'll get a ride back to Dunfanaghy for your final overnight.
Day 5: Departure
The trip comes to a close as you catch a bus from Dunfanaghy to Letterkenny, then transfer to the airport in Dublin. Have a safe trip!
Map
