Donegal Way

Introduction
Donegal Ireland
The Donegal Way follows two long distance walking routes: the Bluestack Way from Donegal Town to Ardara and Sli Cholmcille, (Columcille’s Way) one of the Bealach na Gaeltachta – The Ways of the Gaeltacht – a set of long distance walking routes covering most of northwest Donegal. This is walking country – small villages, green roads and a stunning variety of scenery.

Donegal is the north west outpost of Ireland. Separated from the rest of the republic by the slimmest Northern Ireland Border and wrapped in an extensive Atlantic coastline. The county carries this sense of independence in its physical geography, its people and the stark beauty of the land. The area has survived the rigours of the Atlantic, poor quality farmland, immigration, isolation and is moving into the 21st century in its own right, as a place of tradition and culture, unsullied by mass tourism.

The route crosses the Bluestack Mountains, with peaks of 600m but the Way rarely climbs above 250m. It is an unspoilt area and a glimpse into a Donegal of the past. The Bluestacks are wild, rough and very beautiful with wonderful views of south Donegal and they really do look blue!
The Ways are very well marked with clear signposting along the route. Approximately 30% of this route is on tarred roads.

Tour Highlights
- The corner that many miss- dramatic mountains and rivers in the far north western corner.
- Ard na Breatha Guesthouse in Donegal…magical cuisine!
- Lough Nacroaghy, a hidden gem followed by the coast at Port.
- Slieve League, the highest sea cliffs in Europe and spectacular beyond compare.

Accomodation

Accommodations
This is a progressive tour so nights will be spent in different locations.

Description
You will be staying in comfortable guesthouses and farmhouses. Rooms are as much as possible en-suite. However B&B’s do still have rooms that are not en-suite but should have a bathroom adjacent to the room. We will book these rooms when there are no en-suites available. This happens regularly in the high season.

We do try to make your accommodation convenient to each day’s walk. The walking distances for each day as specified in your tour itinerary may vary, depending where you are staying, as your accommodation may not be in the centre of the village. This will be referred to in your route notes and may add 2-3 km to your walk. Please check this before you walk!

While we have reserved your accommodation, it is a good idea to telephone your hosts with the approximate time of your arrival. Some accommodations will offer you tea or coffee on arrival – if they don’t please do ask if you would like some. You will find that hosts are very approachable and sometimes you just need to ask for what you want.

You must show your accommodation list to your host each day on your arrival. Your luggage will be transferred for you each day by the guesthouse owners or taxi.

Accommodation Itinerary for 10-day tour - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1 & 2: Accommodation in Donegal
Night 3 & 4: Accommodation in Glenties
Night 5: Accommodation in Ardara
Night 6 & 7: Accommodation in Glencolumbkille
Night 8 & 9: Accommodation in Cashel (near Kilcar)

Accommodation Itinerary for 8-day tour - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1 & 2: Accommodation in Donegal
Night 3 & 4: Accommodation in Glenties
Night 5: Accommodation in Ardara
Night 6: Accommodation in Glencolumbkille
Night 7: Accommodation in Cashel (near Kilcar)

Room Occupancy
If you are travelling alone, you will be booked into a single room in your accommodations. This is often a room for two persons that you will have to yourself, which means a single supplement fee needs to be applied.
Please, note that a single traveller also incurs the full luggage transfer fee, which is normally divided between two people.
It is a good idea to contact your hosts and let them know what time you expect to arrive – they tend to be more concerned about walkers hiking alone.


Meals
Only breakfasts are included in your package.

Ireland is renowned for its “Full Irish Breakfast” which consists of bacon, sausages, fried egg and toast. Cereals or a lighter option might be available if you ask. Some walkers find the “full Irish” too much every morning. You can agree with your host on your arrival what time you want breakfast – this is usually between 8.00 and 9.00am.

You can enjoy evening meals in the guesthouses in some locations (for an extra fee), but the hosts need to be notified beforehand. If you choose to eat with your hosts in their home, please ring them the previous evening, or the morning before you arrive to book a meal. They may have to travel some distance to get supplies! Please ask your hosts for any advice in relation to the best places to eat if you wish to eat out and where to find traditional entertainment.

In the early or late season, local restaurants may be closed or pubs may not be serving evening meals. Your hosts will assist you with alternative arrangements if you are walking in the off-season.

Lunches such as sandwiches or filled rolls are often available in local shops or supermarkets, and many also have hot food counters. Look for names such as Centra, Londis, Statoil, Spar, or check in petrol stations. Please note that it is advisable to carry lunch with you unless told otherwise in the route notes.

Do tell your hosts when you arrive if you would like them to provide a packed lunch for the next day (extra fee applies).

Riding

Itinerary

Sample Itinerary: 10-day tour - subject to changes

Note: It is also possible to sign up for a shorter tour (8 days).

Day 1: Travel to Donegal
Make your own way to Donegal. On the north eastern shore of Donegal Bay, it is a lovely traditional town, and the county capital.
Your guesthouse is situated 2km from the town at the start of the Bluestack Way. You can choose to have dinner in your guesthouse or in Donegal town.
Overnight in Donegal
Meals Included: none

Day 2: Donegal to Lough Eske
The Way follows the western shore of the lake and woodlands before climbing the foothills of the Bluestack Mountains. There are beautiful views from the Banagher saddle of Lough Eske and the mountains ahead. Follow the Eglish river valley through the drumlins of south Donegal to the deserted townlands. Your hosts will transfer you from the end of the walk back to your guesthouse.
Walking Distance 20 km (about 5 hours) / Ascent 440 m 
Overnight in Donegal
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 3: Bluestack Mountians to Glenties
This morning, your hosts will transfer you to where the walk finished yesterday. Hike to Glenties over the pass at Cloghmeen Hill through blanket bogland. Today’s walk is through more of the lowland settlements, past the pre Christian graveyard of Disert. Traverse the mountain of Luaghnabrogue to follow through the solitude of the Owenroe River to the sheep farming country south of Glenties.
Optional extra route to Lough Anna (adds 5 km).
Walking Distance 13 km (about 4 hours) / Ascent 370 m 
Overnight in Glenties
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 4: Free Day in Glenties
Free day to walk in the Glenties area. Walk through lanes and boglands to the beautiful Lough Naeroaghy on the little drumlin of Derkbeg 330m. Enjoy fabulous views of the Gweebarra Bay and west to the Atlantic.
Walking Distance 14 km (about 4 hours) / Ascent 130 m 
Overnight in Glenties
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 5: Glenties to Ardara
Follow The Bluestack Way and the Owenea River to Ardara. Today’s walk follows the fishing access route to the Owrnea River on gorse lined paths with the Atlantic ahead and the mountains behind. It’s a relatively easy day’s walking and allows plenty of time to enjoy the lovely town of Ardara.
Walking Distance 12 km (about 4 hours) / Ascent 80 m 
Overnight in Ardara
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 6: Ardara to Glencolumbkille
Transfer by taxi to Maghera Strand. Follow the Slí Cholmcille along the foothills of the Slieve Tooey and Crockuna mountains to Glencolmkille.  Climb by road to the top of the Owenree River valley to look down on Loughros Beg Bay, Maghera Strand and east to Ardara. The Way crosses a mountain pass at 350m to descend by road through sheep farming foothills to the gloriously remote cove of Port. What a place for lunch! (Packed…there’s nothing here but boats and gulls!) Your final climb of the day takes you up Faugher Mountain to descend to the village of Glencolumbkille. This remote and beautiful corner of Donegal is also a Gaelic speaking area and has many interesting megalithic and early Christian monuments.
Walking Distance 20 km (about 6 hours) / Ascent 630 m 
Overnight in Glencolumbkille
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 7: Free Day in Glencolumbkille
Rest day in Glencolmbcille to enjoy this fascinating corner of Ireland with its many cultural and historical aspects. There have been inhabitants here since 3000BC. It has always been an Atlantic laden outpost and seat of steely determination; every culture has left their evidence. The optional walk allows breathtaking views of the Atlantic cliffs at Glen Head and Mullaghtan before the knife edge ridge of Sturrall promontory.
Walking Distance 12 km (about 5 hours) / Ascent 320 m 
Overnight in Glencolumbkille
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 8: Glencolumbkille  to Cashel
Follow the Slí Colmcille to Cashel via Cornadreeshark and Crockunna hills (200m). The route to Carrick follows blanket bogland and the traditional cart tracks between the settlements. Teelin Bay is a lovely enclosed fishing harbour, a gentle introduction because over the top are the stunning, exhilarating Slieve League cliffs.
Walking Distance 14 km (about 4 hours) / Ascent 310 m 
Overnight in Cashel
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 9: Slieve League Cliffs
The cliffs are exhilarating, hair-raising and not for the faint hearted! Rising 600m from the Atlantic, they have an amazing diversity of color and shape, as they are composed of numerous different geological types; conglomerates, schists, quartzite and some slate.
Your host will assist you with a transfer to and from Teelin.
Walking Distance 17 km (about 6 hours) / Ascent 550 m 
Overnight in Cashel
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 10: Departure
Make your own transfer arrangements.
Meals Included: Breakfast

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Sample Itinerary: 8-day tour - subject to changes

Day 1: Travel to Donegal
Make your own way to Donegal. On the north eastern shore of Donegal Bay, it is a lovely traditional town, and the county capital.
Your guesthouse is situated 2km from the town at the start of the Bluestack Way. You can choose to have dinner in your guesthouse or in Donegal town.
Overnight in Donegal
Meals Included: none

Day 2: Donegal to Lough Eske
The Way follows the western shore of the lake and woodlands before climbing the foothills of the Bluestack Mountains. There are beautiful views from the Banagher saddle of Lough Eske and the mountains ahead. Follow the Eglish river valley through the drumlins of south Donegal to the deserted townlands. Your hosts will transfer you from the end of the walk back to your guesthouse.
Walking Distance 20 km (about 5 hours) / Ascent 440 m 
Overnight in Donegal
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 3: Bluestack Mountians to Glenties
This morning, your hosts will transfer you to where the walk finished yesterday. Hike to Glenties over the pass at Cloghmeen Hill through blanket bogland. Today’s walk is through more of the lowland settlements, past the pre Christian graveyard of Disert. Traverse the mountain of Luaghnabrogue to follow through the solitude of the Owenroe River to the sheep farming country south of Glenties.
Optional extra route to Lough Anna (adds 5 km).
Walking Distance 13 km (about 4 hours) / Ascent 370 m 
Overnight in Glenties
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 4: Free Day in Glenties
Free day to walk in the Glenties area. Walk through lanes and boglands to the beautiful Lough Naeroaghy on the little drumlin of Derkbeg 330m. Enjoy fabulous views of the Gweebarra Bay and west to the Atlantic.
Walking Distance 14 km (about 4 hours) / Ascent 130 m 
Overnight in Glenties
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 5: Glenties to Ardara
Follow The Bluestack Way and the Owenea River to Ardara. Today’s walk follows the fishing access route to the Owrnea River on gorse lined paths with the Atlantic ahead and the mountains behind. It’s a relatively easy day’s walking and allows plenty of time to enjoy the lovely town of Ardara.
Walking Distance 12 km (about 4 hours) / Ascent 80 m 
Overnight in Ardara
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 6: Ardara to Glencolumbkille
Transfer by taxi to Maghera Strand. Follow the Slí Cholmcille along the foothills of the Slieve Tooey and Crockuna mountains to Glencolmkille.  Climb by road to the top of the Owenree River valley to look down on Loughros Beg Bay, Maghera Strand and east to Ardara. The Way crosses a mountain pass at 350m to descend by road through sheep farming foothills to the gloriously remote cove of Port. What a place for lunch! (Packed…there’s nothing here but boats and gulls!) Your final climb of the day takes you up Faugher Mountain to descend to the village of Glencolumbkille. This remote and beautiful corner of Donegal is also a Gaelic speaking area and has many interesting megalithic and early Christian monuments.
Walking Distance 20 km (about 6 hours) / Ascent 630 m 
Overnight in Glencolumbkille
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 7: Slieve League Cliffs
The route to Carrick follows blanket bogland and the traditional cart tracks between the settlements. Teelin Bay is a lovely enclosed fishing harbour, a gentle introduction because over the top are the stunning, exhilarating Slieve League cliffs. Don’t miss them. Your hosts will collect you from Teelin and transfer you to your accommodation in Cashel.
Optional route to Slieve League Cliffs 12 km / Ascents 550 m.
Walking Distance 14 km (about 4 hours) / Ascent 310 m 
Overnight in Cashel
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 8: Departure
Make your own transfer arrangements.
Meals Included: Breakfast

Rates and Dates for Donegal Way

Dates Note: Any time during the season.

Other Info
Meeting: Donegal
Airport: Donegal
Transfer:

Climate:
                                                    Donegal area

• Fully waterproof rainwear;
• Waterproof hiking boots;
• Hiking-pole;
• Light walking shoes;
• Spare layer of clothing;
• Hat/cap;
• Gaiters;
• Day-rucksack;
• Thermos flask;
• Water bottle;
• Lunchbox;
• Plastic bag;
• Torch; Insect-repellent spray;
• First Aid kit;
• Blister-plaster;
• Sunscreen.