Slí Na Rosann - Sli Dhun na nGall
Long Distance Waymarked Way · Donegal
Slí Na Rosann - Sli Dhun na nGall is a 64.6 km moderate waymarked loop in Donegal, starting near Dungloe.
Grade
| Activity | Grade | Difficulty | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walking | Moderate | Moderate | – |
Getting there
Starts at Dungloe.
- Trailhead coordinates
- 54.94961, -8.36055
- Irish Grid reference
- B 769 114
- Ordnance Survey sheets
- Discovery Series Sheet 1
The National Trails Register's own latitude and longitude fields are empty for all 1,186 trails on it. This trailhead comes from Sport Ireland's separate Trailheads dataset, matched to this trail on its register ID.
About the trail
Part of the 280km Slí Dhún na nGall, Slí na Rosann is a 65km circular route covering an area called the Rosses, which lies between the western outliers of the Derryveagh Mountains and the much indented Atlantic coast in west County Donegal. It is a wonderfully scenic, rock-strewn landscape scattered with more than a hundred lakes, which make it a mecca for anglers. Slí na Rosann brings walkers through this dramatic and often harsh landscape, passing on its way through the town of Dungloe and the villages of Crolly, Maghery and Burtonport. Terrain on the Slí consists mainly of boreens, some open ground which can be very wet, and quiet country roads that rise and fall as they cross open country. There are also, however, some busier roads which carry fast-moving traffic, so care is needed. Some sections of the route, particularly that between Maghery and Crolly are quite remote and little overnight accommodation is available. The total aggregate ascent over the entire route is 770 metres, with no significant climbs. The route connects from the village of Crolly with another of the Donegal walks, Slí an Earagail, by way of a 4.5 km link that is partly on a busy road. There is also a 22 km link from Crovehy on the route, via the village of Doochary, to Slí na Finne with an aggregate ascent of 550 metres: the link is on side roads, forest and bog roads and open moorland, which is often very wet. Among the many offshore islands visible from Slí na Rosann is the island of Aran, which is accessible by ferry from Burtonport all year round, and a 15 km walking route, Slí Arainn Mhór, circles the island on roads and bog roads.
- Waymarking
- Yellow arrow on black background
Who manages it
Donegal County Council/Udaras na Gaeltachta
Donegal County Council/Udaras na Gaeltachta
Conditions and closures change. The operator is the authority on both, not this page.
Trails nearby
Measured trailhead to trailhead, in a straight line.
- Dungloe River Walk incorporating Cope Mountain Walk 398 m away · 3.6 km trail
- Burtonport Loops - Lúb Chroicheach Mhór 4.8 km away · 4.6 km trail
- Burtonport Loops - Lúb Cheann Bhaile Cruaiche 6.4 km away · 6.8 km trail
- Siúlóid an tSean Bhóthar Ianrainn 6.4 km away · 5.3 km trail
- Loch Chonaill Railway Walk 7.5 km away · 1 km trail
- Árainn Mhór Conairí Snorclála - An Charraig Liath Mhór 9.5 km away · 0.5 km trail
Common questions
How long is the Slí Na Rosann - Sli Dhun na nGall?
64.6 km, recorded as a loop on Sport Ireland's National Trails Register.
How hard is the Slí Na Rosann - Sli Dhun na nGall?
Sport Ireland grades it Moderate. Grades are set against national criteria, so they are comparable with other registered trails.
Where does the Slí Na Rosann - Sli Dhun na nGall start?
Starts at Dungloe. The trailhead is at 54.94961, -8.36055 (Irish Grid B 769 114).
Who manages the Slí Na Rosann - Sli Dhun na nGall?
Donegal County Council/Udaras na Gaeltachta. They are the authority on current conditions and closures, not this page.
More in Donegal
Trail data from the Sport Ireland National Trails Register, licensed under CC BY 4.0. Trailhead coordinates from the companion Trailheads dataset. Snapshot taken 2026-08-13.