Donegal Delights

Guided walking tour

Join us in Ireland's most northerly county, Donegal, one of the most unspoilt landscapes in Europe. It is famous for its beautiful scenery, coastline, impressive mountain ranges, glens and lakes and rich reminders of a historic past.

The base for this week-long tour is Donegal town, centrally located, and famous for its 15th century castle, tweeds and traditional music. The daily routes are from 6 to 10 miles (9.5 to 16 km) and take you to Slieve League, among Europe's highest sea-cliffs and into the glorious Glenveagh National Park.

Tour Highlights:
Slieve League - Europe's highest sea cliffs
Glenveagh National Park - formal gardens, castle (19th C) & native Irish red deer
Donegal town - overlooking Donegal Bay, 15th century castle, pubs and home of Irish tweed (handwoven cloth from local sheeps wool)
Donegal's strong heritage of traditional Irish music and dance
Optional boat trip of Donegal Harbour

ITINERARY:

(subject to change without prior notice)

Day 1: Arrival

19:00 hrs. Dinner/welcome briefing with guide at accommodation.

Day 2: Glenveagh National Park

Distance: 12 km/7.5 miles. Ascent: none (all downhill)
To-day you have a gentle introductory walk through Glenveagh National Park (over 14,000 acres), a remote and hauntingly beautiful wilderness of rugged mountains and pristine lakes.
Glenveagh is the haunt of many rare and interesting plants and animals and is famous for its herd of native Irish red deer. The Park contains the peaks of the two highest mountains in Co. Donegal, Errigal (752 m) and Slieve Snaght (683 m).
The estate of Glenveagh was originally consolidated into a single holding in the 19th Century by John Adair culminating in the infamous evictions of 244 tenants in 1861.
A fine Victorian castle (1870) surrounded by beautiful formal gardens is picturesquely located on the eastern shore of the Lough Veagh. You finish your walk at the Castle Tea Rooms.

Day 3: Blue Stack Mountains Way to Glenties

Distance: 13.5km/8.5miles Ascent: 250 m/820 ft
Exploration to the east of the Blue Stacks, walking over Bogland, forest roads and farm tracks past the ruins of a cottage dating back to famine times. From the top of Cloghmeen Hill you have great views over the beach of Maghera. Continue along the Owenroe river towards Glenties.

Day 4: Banagher Hill

Distance: 9.5 km/6 miles. Ascent: 220 m/700 ft
A gentle walk, around Banagher Hill and Ardmore Nature Reserve ending at Harveys Point Hotel on the shore of Lough Eske. Enjoy the unspoilt countryside and fantastic views of the Blue Stack Mountains to distil the essence of Donegal - glens offering peace and greenness, deserted hills, lakes and rivers. Note: Walk can be extended.

Day 5: Option Day

- Relax in Donegal towns bookshops and cafes
- Visit Donegal Castle (stronghold of the O'Neill clann) and Abbey
- Waterbus trip around Donegal Bay.
- Visit Donegal craft village
- Hire a bicycle
- Bus trip to the famous walled city of Derry (Northern Ireland) or Letterkenny
- Bus to Glencolumkille (west Donegal)
- Golf on Murvagh golf course
- Group options: Visit the Ulster American Folk Park in Omagh - An outdoor museum which tells the story of emigration from Ulster to America in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Day 6: Slieve League

Distance: 10.5 km/6.5 miles. Ascent: 535 m/1,750 ft
Today's walk is considered by many to be the highlight of the week. A spectacular walk over some of Europes finest sea-cliffs (highest sea cliffs in Europe). The Atlantic Ocean has carved a variety of shapes and the rocks and vegetation produce a kaleidoscope of colour. The cliff faces are nesting-places for choughs, guillemots, puffins, etc.

Day 7: By Donegal Bay

Distance: 12.5 km/8 miles. Ascent: 75 m/250 ft
A leisurely coastal beach and sea walk from Ballyshannon to Rossnowlagh - two beaches (Wardtown and Belall Strands) with exceptional sea cliffs and wildlife to enjoy along with the ruins of Kilbarron Castle (13th C). Finish with a drink in the Smugglers Creek Inn.

Day 8: Departure

After your last hot cooked Irish breakfast.