Welcome to the Donegal Way

Step into the forgotten North West corner of Ireland with our self-guided walking holiday through the Donegal Ways.

Explore the wilderness of the Donegal Way

The route starts from Donegal town on The Bluestack Way to Ardara and then uses Bealach na Gaeltachta – The Ways of the Gaeltacht.

Donegal is separated from the rest of the republic by the Northern Ireland border and an extensive Atlantic coastline. The county carries this sense of abandonment in its physical geography, its people, and the harshness of the land. 

This region has survived the rigors of the Atlantic, poor land and farming, immigration, and isolation and is moving into the 21st century as an outpost of tradition and culture, as yet unsullied by mass tourism. 

Nature

‘Wild’ is the first word that comes to mind when describing Donegal. There are 10 Nature Reserves in County Donegal, of high importance to wildlife. You’ll discover life all year long, and a rich variety of species use this destination and staging ground for migrating from three continents. 

Coastal cliffs

Slieve League or Sliabh Liag (meaning ‘mountain of stone pillars’) is one of County Donegal’s truly iconic visitor attractions, and one that definitely takes the breath away. These cliffs are said to be the highest and finest marine cliffs in Europe, and home for a myriad of bird and plant life.

Gastronomy

Producers and chefs have known it for years: Donegal has everything it takes to become a gastronomic delight. Its unspoiled environment, rich and diverse landscape, and its weather conditions, make the perfect mix to grow and the highest standard of natural ingredients.

The travel community is quickly discovering this, so now is the time to visit, before the secret spreads!

 

Choose Your Way

Choose the Walking & Hiking Itinerary that suits you best.

The full Donegal Way is rated MODERATE. Navigating is easy, with excellent waymarking and our detailed Route Notes and maps. Our Donegal tours are appropriate for walkers with good fitness, comfortable walking 12-24km (8-15mi) per day with ascents up to 630m (2,067ft). Our tours include optional routes, so please look at daily itineraries for details regarding daily distance and ascents.

Choose a Custom Trip

Don’t see an option that fits your needs? Let us design an itinerary that works for you!