Walks and adventure sports in Donegal

Ulster

Donegal has 69 waymarked trails on Sport Ireland's National Trails Register, covering about 3,639 kilometres in total across walking (60), cycling (7), snorkelling, swimming (2).

Waymarked trails

Total distance

3,639 km

Longest

2300 km

Spots worth the trip

Named on our sport and activity guides.

Bundoran

Surfing

Ireland's surf capital. Tullan Strand for learning; the Peak, a shallow reef break in front of town, for people who already know what they're doing.

Malin Head

Diving

Ireland's most northerly point and its best deep-wreck diving, including losses from both world wars. Advanced, tide-dependent, boat-only.

Donegal hills

Skiing & Snowsports

The Bluestacks and Derryveagh hold snow longer than most Irish uplands in a cold winter. Remote, unpatrolled, no infrastructure.

Donegal & Sligo

Coasteering

The most exposed coasteering in the country, with big Atlantic swell and correspondingly weather-dependent sessions.

Waymarked trails in Donegal

The 25 longest of 69, from the National Trails Register.

EuroVelo 1 Ireland - Atlantic Coast Route

2300 km · 21700 m climb · Very Challenging · Linear

Starts at Newtowncunningham or Rosslare Harbour. Directions

Waymarked: blue text on white signs with bicycle symbol and eurovelo logo

Kingfisher Cycle Trail

362.2 km · Very Challenging · Loop

Starts near Carrick-on-Shannon. Directions

5 days

Donegal Cycle Route

221.2 km · 3000 m climb · Challenging · Linear

Starts at Newtown Cunningham/Donegal town. Directions

4 days (at 50km per day) · Waymarked: white signs with blue text (eurovelo logo included)

The North West Trail Cycling

126 km · 1357 m climb · Very Challenging · Linear

Starts near Lifford. Directions

6 hours 30 minutes

Slí An Earagail - Sli Dhun na nGall

76.2 km · Moderate · Loop

Starts at Dunlewy, near Bunbeg. Directions

Waymarked: yellow arrow on black background

Slí Cholmcille - Sli Dhun na nGall

65.3 km · Strenuous · Loop

Starts at Ardara. Directions

Waymarked: yellow arrow on black background

Slí Na Rosann - Sli Dhun na nGall

64.6 km · Moderate · Loop

Starts at Dungloe. Directions

Waymarked: yellow arrow on black background

Bluestack Way

64.1 km · 1230 m climb · Moderate · Linear

Starts at Donegal Town at The Diamond, near Donegal Town. Directions

3 days · Waymarked: yellow arrow on black background

Inis Eoghain Cycleway

52.9 km · Challenging · Loop

Directions

3 hours

Ballyshannon Cycle Hub Loop 1

36.1 km · 240 m climb · Moderate · Loop

Starts near Ballyshannon. Directions

2 hours 30 minutes · Waymarked: blue text on white background

Ballyshannon Cycle Hub Loop 2

35.6 km · 114 m climb · Moderate · Loop

Starts near Ballyshannon. Directions

2 hours 10 minutes · Waymarked: blue text on white background

Slí Árann Mhór Loop

17.8 km · 400 m climb · Moderate · Loop

Starts at Old Pier, Leadhb Gharbh, Árainn Mhór Island, near Burtonport. Directions

5 hours

Ards Forest Park - Red trail

14.1 km · 100 m climb · Strenuous · Loop

Starts at Ards Forest Park, near Creeslough. Directions

4 hours

Siúlóid Loch na Caillí

10.1 km · 370 m climb · Moderate · Loop

Starts at Ionad Naomh Pádraig, Upper Dore, Crolly, near Crolly. Directions

2 hours 45 minutes · Waymarked: purple arrow on white background

Cruckahenny Trail

10 km · 291 m climb · Moderate · Linear

Starts at Quigley's Point Village. Directions

2 hours 30 minutes · Waymarked: red arrow

Fox’s Rock Bullaba (Bulben) Loop

9.3 km · 120 m climb · Moderate · Loop

Starts near Drom Fraoigh/Drumfries. Directions

2 hours · Waymarked: green arrow

Inishowen Head Loop

8.3 km · 250 m climb · Moderate · Loop

Starts at Inishowen Head car park, near Stroove. Directions

2 hours 30 minutes · Waymarked: purple arrow

Muckish - Lub Loch Achair

8.3 km · 120 m climb · Moderate · Loop

Starts at At crossroads between minor road and tracks at Carrownamaddy, near Creeslough. Directions

2 hours 30 minutes · Waymarked: purple arrow on white background

Glencolmcille - Tower Loop

7.6 km · 330 m climb · Moderate · Loop

Starts at Glencolmcille Fire Station, near Glencolmcille. Directions

3 hours · Waymarked: blue arrow

Slí Croí Inis Eoghain

7.6 km · 203 m climb · Moderate · Loop

Starts at Sliabh Snacht Centre, near Drom Fraoigh/Drumfries. Directions

2 hours · Waymarked: red arrow

Tip O’Neill Trail

7 km · 120 m climb · Moderate · Linear

Starts near Drom Fraoigh/Drumfries. Directions

3 hours · Waymarked: red arrow

Glencolmcille - Drum Loop

6.9 km · 440 m climb · Strenuous · Loop

Starts at Glencolmcille Fire Station, near Glencolmcille. Directions

4 hours · Waymarked: red arrow

Leghowney Loop Walk

6.9 km · 179 m climb · Moderate · Loop

Starts at Leghowney Hall Car Park, near Donegal. Directions

2 hours · Waymarked: green arrow on white background

Burtonport Loops - Lúb Cheann Bhaile Cruaiche

6.8 km · 2 m climb · Easy · Loop

Starts at Burtonport Harbour, near Burtonport. Directions

1.5 hours · Waymarked: orange arrows on white background

Grania’s Gap Loop

6.7 km · 278 m climb · Moderate · Loop

Starts at Derry – Quigley's Point Greenway in Muff, near Muff. Directions

3 hours · Waymarked: blue arrow

The other 44 in Donegal

Slí Thoraí (Tory Island) - Sli Dhun na nGall 6.6 km
Siúlóid an Chlocháin Bhig 6.3 km
Old Carn Road Drovers Trail 5.6 km
Siúlóid an tSean Bhóthar Ianrainn 5.3 km
Ards Forest Park - Heritage trail 5.2 km
Lurgabrack Nature Walk 4.7 km
Burtonport Loops - Lúb Chroicheach Mhór 4.6 km
Creevy Coastal Walk 4.4 km
Muckish - Lub Loch na Boll 4.2 km
Doris Russo Trail 4 km
Ards Forest Park - Binngorm trail 3.9 km
Dungloe River Walk incorporating Cope Mountain Walk 3.6 km
Umricam Shandrum Trail 3.5 km
Sliabh Liag Pilgrim Path 3.2 km
Meenavogey Trail 3 km
Riverside Walk & Drumboe Trail 3 km
Ards Forest Park - Green trail 2.8 km
Ards Friary Coastal Loop 2.8 km
Slí Ghabhla (Gola Island) - Sli Dhun na nGall 2.7 km
Ards Forest Park - Yellow trail 2.5 km
Muckish - Lub an Iarnrod 2.2 km
Ard na Mona Wood 1.9 km
Lenan Loop 1.9 km
Bonny Glen Wood - Lough Namanlagh trail 1.5 km
Drumharriff - Forest Stroll 1.4 km
Ards Forest Park - Nature trail 1.3 km
Drumboe - Multi-Access 1.3 km
Ards Forest Park - Marine trail 1.2 km
Drumboe - Nature trail 1.2 km
Master John's Marsh Trail 1.2 km
Woodquarter - Forest trail 1.1 km
Ballykeeran Forest trail 1 km
Loch Chonaill Railway Walk 1 km
Ards Forest Park - Sand Dune trail 0.9 km
Bonny Glen Wood - Bonny Glen walk 0.9 km
Drumboe - Loop trail 0.9 km
Maylin Wood 0.8 km
Mill River Walk 0.8 km
Siúlóid Cois an Ghaoth 0.8 km
Glenevin Waterfall Walk 0.7 km
Árainn Mhór Conairí Snorclála - An Charraig Liath Mhór 0.5 km
Árainn Mhór Conairí Snorclála - An Pointe 0.5 km
Ards Forest Park - Salt Marsh trail 0.5 km
Corrán Binne Access Trail 0.4 km

Forest parks in Donegal

Coillte forest parks: managed destinations with parking, marked routes and facilities, not trails in open country.

Ards

Coillte maintains 13 forest car parks in Donegal. These are the usual starting points for forest walks and mountain bike trails.

Bathing waters in Donegal

21 designated bathing waters monitored by the EPA, 11 of them flying a Blue Flag. Water quality below is the EPA's annual classification, which is a verdict on the previous four bathing seasons and not a reading for today.

Bathing restrictions in Donegal right now

Sports in Donegal, in depth

The sports with named spots, accredited centres or registered trails in the county.

Kayaking in Donegal 3 centres Surfing in Donegal 1 spot · 1 centre Diving in Donegal 1 spot Sailing in Donegal

34 clubs and schools in Donegal

Listed by Mountaineering Ireland, Irish Surfing, Irish Sailing and Diving Ireland. Reproduced as each body publishes it, with a link back to the register. Contact details are theirs, not checked by us.

Bluestack Ramblers Walking Club

Club

Listed by Mountaineering Ireland

Website: http://www.bluestackramblers.com
Phone: 0863553549

Bundoran Surf Co.

School · Bundoran

Listed by Irish Surfing

Phone: +353 (0)71 984 1968
Email: [email protected]

Colmcille Climbers Club

Club

Listed by Mountaineering Ireland

Website: colmcille- climbers.com
Phone: 0874071251

Comharchumann Forbacha & Fostaíochta Árainn Mhór

Club

Listed by Irish Sailing

Website: madeinarranmore.com/workshops
Phone: 0749520024
Email: [email protected]

Crannagh Ramblers

Club

Listed by Mountaineering Ireland

Phone: 0879547699

DONEGAL BAY S&R

Club · DonegalTown

Listed by Diving Ireland

Phone: 0876993095
Email: [email protected]

Donegal Co Co Hills & Trails Walking Club

Club

Listed by Mountaineering Ireland

Phone: 0876502746

Finn McCools Surf School & Surf Shop

School · Rossnowlagh

Listed by Irish Surfing

Phone: +353 (0) 71 98 59020
Email: [email protected]

Gartan Outdoor Education & Training Centre

School

Listed by Irish Sailing

Website: gartan.com
Phone: 074 9137032
Email: [email protected]

INISHOWEN SAC

Club · Buncrana,

Listed by Diving Ireland

Irish Gap Year

School · Bundoran

Listed by Irish Surfing

Phone: 086 088 4614
Email: [email protected]

Jaws Water Sports

School · Dunfanaghey

Listed by Irish Surfing

Phone: 086 1735109
Email: [email protected]

Liquid Therapy

School · Rossnowlagh

Listed by Irish Surfing

Phone: 0873568414
Email: [email protected]

Lough Swilly Watersports & Tourism Centre ltd.

School

Listed by Irish Sailing

Website: loughswillyyc.com/wordpress2/home
Phone: 00442590766300
Email: [email protected]

Lough Swilly Yacht Club

Club

Listed by Irish Sailing

Website: loughswillyyc.com
Email: [email protected]

Marblehill Boat Club

Club

Listed by Irish Sailing

Website: facebook.com/groups/MarbleHillBoatClub
Phone: 0862224493
Email: [email protected]

Moville Boat Club

Club

Listed by Irish Sailing

Website: movilleboatclub.com
Phone: 074 93 81315
Email: [email protected]

Murph's Surf School

School · Bundoran

Listed by Irish Surfing

Phone: +353-(0)86-151-4924
Email: [email protected]

Northwest Walking & Mountaineering Club

Club

Listed by Mountaineering Ireland

Website: nwmc.ie
Phone: 00353877722813

Out Back Jack's Surf Guide

School · Bundoran

Listed by Irish Surfing

Phone: 0861769150
Email: [email protected]

Rathmullan Sailing & Watersports Club

Club

Listed by Irish Sailing

Website: rathmullansailingandwatersports.ie
Phone: 086 440 5740
Email: [email protected]

Rathmullan Sailing & Watersports School

School

Listed by Irish Sailing

Website: rathmullansailing.com
Phone: 074 9158724
Email: [email protected]

ROSSES SNORKELLING CLUB

Club

Listed by Diving Ireland

Phone: 087 9158364
Email: [email protected]

Rossnowlagh Surf School

School · Rossnowlagh

Listed by Irish Surfing

Phone: +353831855164
Email: [email protected]

Scoil Mhuire Sailing Centre

School

Listed by Irish Sailing

Website: scoilmhuirebuncrana.ie/News/Scoil-Mhuire-Sailing-School/36592/Index.html
Phone: 0749361065
Email: [email protected]

SHEEPHAVEN SAC

Club · Downings

Listed by Diving Ireland

Phone: +353879747166
Email: [email protected]

Surf SUP Surf School

School · Portnoo/Dooey

Listed by Irish Surfing

Phone: 0860605357
Email: [email protected]

Surfworld Bundoran

School · Bundoran

Listed by Irish Surfing

Phone: +353 (0) 71 98 41223
Email: [email protected]

Swilly Hiking Club

Club

Listed by Mountaineering Ireland

Website: swillyhiking.ie
Phone: 0860530060

The Seamanship Centre

School

Listed by Irish Sailing

Website: seamanship.ie
Phone: 0868937225
Email: [email protected]

We Surf

School · Bundoran

Listed by Irish Surfing

Phone: 353830309848
Email: [email protected]

Wild and Free Adventures

School

Listed by Irish Surfing

Phone: +353 (0)89 608 6693
Email: [email protected]

Wild Wanderers Donegal

Club

Listed by Mountaineering Ireland

Phone: 089 2553363

Winki Waves

School

Listed by Irish Surfing

Email: [email protected]

Adventure centres in Donegal

4 of 7 currently hold governing-body accreditation, shown as a badge linking to the register.

Atlantic Northwest Kayaking

Canoeing Ireland registered provider

Bundoran Surf Co

Irish Surfing registered school

Website: bundoransurfco.com

Donegal Adventure Centre

Gartan OETC

Run by Donegal ETB

Approved here in 2001, and still accredited today.

Website: gartan.com
Phone: 074 913 7032

Murfs Surf School

Sea Kayaking Donegal

Canoeing Ireland registered provider

Website: seakayakingdonegal.com

TurfnSurf Lodge & Surf School

The full directory →

Guides for Donegal

Hillwalking & Mountaineering Mountain Biking Wild & Sea Swimming Surfing Diving Skiing & Snowsports Coasteering

Common questions

Where can I go walking in Donegal?

60 waymarked walking trails are registered in Donegal. The longest are Slí An Earagail - Sli Dhun na nGall (76.2km), Slí Cholmcille - Sli Dhun na nGall (65.3km), Slí Na Rosann - Sli Dhun na nGall (64.6km), Bluestack Way (64.1km). Every one has a verified start point and driving directions on its own page.

How many waymarked trails are there in Donegal?

69 on Sport Ireland's National Trails Register, totalling roughly 3,639 kilometres. The register records waymarked trails only, so unmarked mountain routes and informal paths aren't counted.

How hard are the trails in Donegal?

By register grade: 25 easy, 31 moderate, 2 intermediate, 6 strenuous, 2 challenging, 3 very challenging. Grades are set by Sport Ireland against national criteria, so they're comparable between counties.

Are there sports clubs in Donegal?

34 clubs and schools in Donegal are listed by their national governing body: Mountaineering Ireland, Irish Surfing, Irish Sailing and Diving Ireland. They cover 5 sports between them, and each listing links back to the register it came from.

Are there adventure centres in Donegal?

7 in our directory, 4 of which currently hold accreditation from a national governing body: Atlantic Northwest Kayaking, Bundoran Surf Co, Gartan OETC, Sea Kayaking Donegal. Each accredited listing links to the body's own register so you can check it.

What adventure sports can you do in Donegal?

hillwalking & mountaineering, mountain biking, wild & sea swimming, surfing, diving, skiing & snowsports, coasteering, based on the trails registered in the county and the locations named on our sport guides.

Elsewhere in Ulster

Antrim Armagh Cavan Derry Down Fermanagh Monaghan Tyrone

Trail data from the Sport Ireland National Trails Register, licensed under CC BY 4.0. Start points from the companion Trailheads dataset. Snapshot taken 2026-08-13. The register records waymarked trails only, so check the trail operator for current conditions and closures. Forest park and car park data from Coillte Recreation Information (CC BY 4.0), snapshot 2026-08-04, with county boundaries from OSi.