Overview
The Derryveagh Mountains run through north Donegal: a wide quartzite interior of bog, lake and bare rock that separates the coastal Gaeltacht around Gweedore from the inland towns of Ballybofey and Letterkenny. Glenveagh National Park takes in much of the range, including the Poisoned Glen and part of Errigal, with woodlands, peatlands and the long dark slot of Lough Veagh. The high point, and the thing most people come for, is Errigal at 751 m, the southernmost of the chain that locals call the Seven Sisters.
If you only have time for one thing and you are reasonably fit, climb Errigal in clear conditions. If you are not here to climb, walk in to Glenveagh Castle along the lake instead, which is a good use of a flat afternoon.
Climbing Errigal
On a clear day Errigal is a pink quartzite cone that catches the light from miles off. It rises above Dunlewey, and the summit approach starts from the signed trailhead off the R251. Donegal County Council’s path survey shows how the route climbs from peat to a steep, exposed ridge of quartzite. The sting in the tail is the narrow pass linking Errigal’s twin summits, which is fine in still, clear weather and genuinely exposed in wind or cloud. The reward is a view down over Dunlewey Lough and across the Poisoned Glen.
One honest warning: this is a proper mountain, not a stroll. The quartzite is loose and slippery when wet, the cloud comes down fast, and there is no shelter on top. Stay on the path, carry a map and navigation equipment, bring a windproof layer, and leave enough daylight for the descent. Turn back if wind or visibility makes the ridge unsafe, and avoid the summits in bad weather.
The other peaks
- Muckish – the ‘pig’s back’, a flat-topped plateau with an almost lunar summit and sweeping coastal views.
- Slieve Snaght – a more forgiving climb to a broad summit plateau, from which Errigal, Muckish and the north-west coast line up in a single sweep.
Glenveagh: the lake, the castle and the walk in
The valley floor is the easy half of the Derryveaghs. The park’s trail guide describes the lakeside approach from the visitor centre to Glenveagh Castle and shorter walks. The castle is a castellated Victorian house built for Captain John George Adair in the 1860s and 70s on the edge of Lough Veagh, with gardens outside and guided tours of the interior. A shuttle runs between the visitor centre and the castle for those who prefer not to walk; it is charged, so check the park’s current fares. The gardens around the castle are the surprise: rhododendrons, Eucryphia and other tender species that only survive this far north because the Atlantic keeps the frost off.
Adair is also why the place carries a darker story. In 1861 he evicted 244 of his tenants from the surrounding townlands in what became known as the Derryveagh Evictions, clearing the glen for sheep and, later, deer. The visitor centre explains the evictions and the history of the estate, and it is worth time before you set off.
If you are short on time or have younger children along, ask the visitor centre about the shorter lakeside walks that give you the castle view without the full walk in.
Wildlife
The park’s mix of bog, oak wood and open water carries red deer, mountain hares and otters, and the higher ground is hunting country for golden eagles and peregrine falcons, the eagles thanks to a long-running reintroduction project run from the park. The wider Derryveagh and Glendowan Mountains are a designated Special Protection Area for upland birds. Bring binoculars, and follow the park’s guidance on dogs, particularly through the ground-nesting season.
Getting around the park
The estate’s gravel tracks make for easy, mostly level going along the glen; the mountain ridges themselves are for walkers, not bikes. Check current bike hire with the park separately before you plan around it.
Scenic drives
The R251 around the north side of Errigal is the drive to make, with pull-ins that frame the cone against the sky, best an hour before sunset when the quartzite turns properly pink. Genuinely close stops, rather than the far-flung kind, include Glebe House and Gallery and the Colmcille Heritage Centre over at Church Hill by Lough Gartan, both a short drive from the park.
Practical information
Entry to the national park is free. Castle tours and the shuttle are charged separately. Check the park’s current visitor centre, garden and tour hours and its shuttle fares before travelling.
- Parking: use signed parking at Glenveagh Visitor Centre or the Errigal trailhead.
- Website: Glenveagh National Park
- Accessibility: check the national park’s current access information for trails, shuttle and facilities. Many mountain trails are steep and uneven.
Getting there – By car, follow the N56 then the R251 towards Gweedore; the main car park is signposted. Without a car, Discover Ireland’s car-free guide explains how to reach the park by bus from Letterkenny. Check the return timetable before setting out.
Fire risk – In dry spells the park issues fire warnings and closes off open flame; don’t light fires anywhere on the hills, and check the park’s alerts before you travel in summer.
The single best move is to arrive before midday, walk the lakeshore to gauge the cloud on Errigal, and only commit to the summit if the top is clear.