Contae Dhún na nGall

County Donegal outdoors

70 trails, 21 bathing waters, 6 forests, 25 parks, gardens and islands, 3 heritage sites in County Donegal — with this week's best day to get out, from Met Éireann's forecast.

70 trails & walks 21 beaches & bathing waters 6 forests & woodlands 25 parks, gardens & islands 3 heritage sites

This week outdoors

Best day outdoors: Thu, 29 Oct — dry by day, breezy, up to 14°C

Weather warnings could not be checked just now — see met.ie/warnings.

Wed, 28 Oct14° / 10°Drizzle35 km/h WSW · 0.6 mm by dayGood day outdoors
Thu, 29 Oct14° / 11°Sun with grey cloud25 km/h SSE · 0 mm by dayGreat day outdoors
Fri, 30 Oct14° / 10°Medium rain showers30 km/h SSE · 4.3 mm by dayMixed — pick your window
Sat, 31 Oct12° / 6°Light rain15 km/h NW · 3.5 mm by dayGood day outdoors

Forecast: Met Éireann · outdoor rating by Winsome Planet

Dún na nGall

Trails & walks in County Donegal

Waymarked walks, greenways and long-distance ways that start in or pass through County Donegal, from Sport Ireland's register.

TrailArds Forest Park - Binngorm trail3.9 km2 hrChallengingLoopOn forest road and path, this trail skirts around the wooded Ards Hill and runs out along the edge of Binngorm Point, giving great views onto Sheep Haven Bay. You can stroll on several sandy beaches, and keep a look out…

TrailArds Forest Park - Green trail2.8 km2 hrChallengingLoopThis relatively short but difficult trail takes the walker through some of the higher parts of Ards Forest Park. Following forest track, you will pass through semi-natural oak woodland and by the shores of Loughs Lily…

TrailArds Forest Park - Heritage trail5.2 km2 hrModerateLoopThis trail visits a site associated with the myth of Diarmuid and Grainne's bed, and also features a ring fort, a mass rock and a holy well. As you follow forest road and path through the woods there are spectacular…

TrailArds Forest Park - Red trail14.1 km4 hrChallengingLoopThis is the longest Ards Forest Park trail and goes around the perimeter of the park, touching on a wide variety of habitats, each with its own associated flora and fauna. On forest road and track, it switches from…

TrailArds Forest Park - Yellow trail2.5 km1 hr 30 minEasyLoopThis trail takes the walker on forest road through mixed age coniferous plantations past Rinnalack Hill and on to the shores of Lough Lilly. A small fen has developed here allowing white and yellow water lilies to…

TrailBurtonport Loops - Lúb Cheann Bhaile Cruaiche6.8 km1 hr 30 minEasyLoopThis lovely looped walk takes you from Burtonport harbour along the old railway corridor and back again via quiet country lanes and road. The walk is filled to the brim with spectacular views, a vast array of flora &…

All 70 in County Donegal

Ards Forest Park - Binngorm trail3.9 km · 2 hr
Ards Forest Park - Green trail2.8 km · 2 hr
Ards Forest Park - Heritage trail5.2 km · 2 hr
Ards Forest Park - Red trail14.1 km · 4 hr
Ards Forest Park - Yellow trail2.5 km · 1 hr 30 min
Burtonport Loops - Lúb Cheann Bhaile Cruaiche6.8 km · 1 hr 30 min
Burtonport Loops - Lúb Chroicheach Mhór4.6 km · 1 hr
Creevy Coastal Walk4.4 km · 1 hr 30 min
Dungloe River Walk incorporating Cope Mountain Walk3.6 km · 1 hr 45 min
Fox’s Rock Bullaba (Bulben) Loop9.3 km · 2 hr
Grania’s Gap Loop6.7 km · 3 hr
Inishowen Head Loop8.3 km · 2 hr 30 min
Lurgabrack Nature Walk4.7 km · 1 hr 30 min
Muckish - Lub an Iarnrod2.2 km · 35 min
Muckish - Lub Loch Achair8.3 km · 2 hr 30 min
Muckish - Lub Loch na Boll4.2 km · 1 hr 10 min
Siúlóid an Chlocháin Bhig6.3 km · 2 hr
Siúlóid Loch na Caillí10.1 km · 2 hr 45 min
Slí Croí Inis Eoghain7.6 km · 2 hr
Slí Ghabhla (Gola Island) - Sli Dhun na nGall2.7 km · 1 hr 30 min
Slí Thoraí (Tory Island) - Sli Dhun na nGall6.6 km · 2 hr 30 min
Ards Friary Coastal Loop2.8 km · 45 min
Cruckahenny Trail10 km · 2 hr 30 min
Doris Russo Trail4 km · 2 hr
Glencolmcille - Drum Loop6.9 km · 4 hr
Glencolmcille - Tower Loop7.6 km · 3 hr
Leghowney Loop Walk6.9 km · 2 hr
Old Carn Road Drovers Trail5.6 km · 3 hr
Riverside Walk & Drumboe Trail3 km · 1 hr
Siúlóid an tSean Bhóthar Ianrainn5.3 km · 1 hr
Tip O’Neill Trail7 km · 3 hr
Umricam Shandrum Trail3.5 km · 1 hr
Árainn Mhór Conairí Mara - Conaire 52.4 km · 1 hr
Árainn Mhór Conairí Mara - Conaire 63.8 km · 1 hr 30 min
Ard na Mona Wood1.9 km · 25 min
Ards Forest Park - Marine trail1.2 km · 1 hr
Ards Forest Park - Nature trail1.3 km · 1 hr
Bonny Glen Wood - Bonny Glen walk0.9 km · 40 min
Drumboe - Loop trail0.9 km · 1 hr
Drumboe - Multi-Access1.3 km · 1 hr
Drumboe - Nature trail1.2 km · 1 hr
Kingfisher Cycle Trail362.2 km · 5 days
Meenavogey Trail3 km · 2 hr
Slí Árann Mhór Loop17.8 km · 5 hr
Slí An Earagail - Sli Dhun na nGall76.2 km · Moderate
Slí Cholmcille - Sli Dhun na nGall65.3 km · Challenging
Slí Na Rosann - Sli Dhun na nGall64.6 km · Moderate
Ards Forest Park - Salt Marsh trail0.5 km · 12 min
Ards Forest Park - Sand Dune trail0.9 km · 1 hr 30 min
Ballykeeran Forest trail1 km · 1 hr
Ballyshannon Cycle Hub Loop 136.1 km · 2 hr 30 min
Ballyshannon Cycle Hub Loop 235.6 km · 2 hr 10 min
Bluestack Way64.1 km · 3 days
Bonny Glen Wood - Lough Namanlagh trail1.5 km · 1 hr
Donegal Cycle Route221.2 km · 4 days
Drumharriff - Forest Stroll1.4 km · 1 hr
Inis Eoghain Cycleway52.9 km · 3 hr
Lenan Loop1.9 km · 45 min
Loch Chonaill Railway Walk1 km · 35 min
Master John's Marsh Trail1.2 km · 30 min
Maylin Wood0.8 km · 30 min
Mill River Walk0.8 km · 20 min
Siúlóid Cois an Ghaoth0.8 km · 20 min
The North West Trail Cycling126 km · 6 hr 30 min
Woodquarter - Forest trail1.1 km · 30 min
Árainn Mhór Conairí Snorclála - An Charraig Liath Mhór0.5 km · Moderate
EuroVelo 1 Ireland - Atlantic Coast Route2300 km · Very Challenging
Glenevin Waterfall Walk0.7 km · 45 min
Árainn Mhór Conairí Snorclála - An Pointe0.5 km · Moderate
Corrán Binne Access Trail0.4 km · Moderate

Beaches & bathing waters in County Donegal

Bathing waters the EPA monitors in County Donegal: the latest results, any warning in place, and the facilities.

BeachBun DobhráinBundoranWater quality: Excellent (2025)Blue FlagLifeguards in seasonToiletsBundoran beach consists of a sandy beach in a sheltered bay facing Donegal Bay and the Atlantic. It contains a large sandbank which can change substantially with tidal changes. As part of Donegal Bay Bundoran has a wide…

BeachCarrickfinnWater quality: Excellent (2025)Blue FlagLifeguards in seasonToiletsCarrickfinn is an extensive sandy beach with a good dune system. The beach is situated in Gweedore Bay which is a Natural Heritage Area that supports many varied coastal habitats and a wide variety of plant species and…

BeachCúil DabhchaCuldaffWater quality: Excellent (2025)Blue FlagLifeguards in seasonToiletsCuldaff beach consists of a sandy beach with two rock outcrops at the south-east of the beach. The beach is contained to the west by sand dunes and to the north-west by the Culdaff River which has an extensive area of…

BeachNa DúnaibhDowningsWater quality: Excellent (2025)Blue FlagLifeguards in seasonToiletsDownings beach consists of a sandy beach in Sheephaven Bay that is confined by Downings pier to the west and a small headland called Maslack to the South. There is a sea cave in the Maslack headland that is exposed at…

BeachFintraWater quality: Excellent (2025)Blue FlagLifeguards in seasonToiletsFintra beach consists of a long sandy beach; confined in a small inlet to the West of Killybegs Harbour, with hills and small cliffs to the west and the estuary of the Fintragh River to the East. Fintra Beach has a wide…

BeachKillahoeyWater quality: Excellent (2025)Blue FlagLifeguards in seasonToiletsKillahoey beach consists of a sandy beach with a large inflowing estuary including a large mud flat at the east of the beach. These are exposed at times during the tidal phase during the day. Killahoey beach is a…

All 21 in County Donegal

Bundoran Bun DobhráinWater quality: Excellent (2025) · Blue Flag
CarrickfinnWater quality: Excellent (2025) · Blue Flag
Culdaff Cúil DabhchaWater quality: Excellent (2025) · Blue Flag
Downings Na DúnaibhWater quality: Excellent (2025) · Blue Flag
FintraWater quality: Excellent (2025) · Blue Flag
KillahoeyWater quality: Excellent (2025) · Blue Flag
Marble Hill Cnoc an MharmairWater quality: Excellent (2025) · Blue Flag
MurvaghWater quality: Excellent (2025) · Blue Flag
Naran An FhearthainnWater quality: Excellent (2025) · Blue Flag
RossnowlaghWater quality: Excellent (2025) · Blue Flag
Stroove An tSrúibhWater quality: Excellent (2025) · Blue Flag
Dooey An DumhaighWater quality: Excellent (2025) · Toilets
LisfannonWater quality: Good (2025) · Lifeguards in season
Magheraroarty Machaire Uí RabhartaighWater quality: Excellent (2025) · Toilets
Portsalon Port an tSalainnWater quality: Good (2025) · Lifeguards in season
Rathmullan Ráth MaoláinWater quality: Good (2025) · Lifeguards in season
Ballyhiernan, FanadWater quality: Excellent (2025) · Parking
Drumnatinny Droim na TineWater quality: Excellent (2025) · Parking
Portarthur, DerrybegWater quality: Excellent (2025) · Parking
Portnablagh Port na BláicheWater quality: Good (2025) · Parking
Lady's Bay, BuncranaWater quality: Sufficient (2025) · Toilets

Forests & woodlands in County Donegal

Coillte forest parks and recreation woods in County Donegal, with the trails inside them and where to park.

ForestArds Forest ParkForest park · 477 ha9 trailsParking

ForestDrumboe3 trailsParking

ForestBonny Glen Wood2 trailsParking

ForestBaile Uí ChiaráinBallykeeran1 trailParking

ForestDrumharriff1 trailParking

All 6 in County Donegal

Ards Forest ParkForest park · 477 ha · 9 trails
Drumboe3 trails · Parking
Bonny Glen Wood2 trails · Parking
Ballykeeran Baile Uí Chiaráin1 trail · Parking
Drumharriff1 trail · Parking
DrummonaghanParking

Parks, gardens & islands in County Donegal

Parks, gardens, islands and more beaches in County Donegal, from Fáilte Ireland's attractions — nature places only.

Nature spotÁrainn Mhór (Arranmore Island)IslandThe largest of County Donegal's off shore Islands, Árainn Mhór is a wild and rugged place with fantastic cliff scenery, dramatic sea caves and golden sandy beaches.

Nature spotBá Bhaile Uí Thiarnáin (Ballyhiernan Bay)BeachSet along a rural stretch of northeast Donegal near the village of Rosnakill, Bá Bhaile Uí Thiarnáin (Ballyhiernan Bay) is a long, sandy beach perfect for walking and exploring.

Nature spotCionn Mhucrois (Muckros Head)BeachHead for a bracing cliff walk, go rock climbing or stop to take in the view of the wild Atlantic from the rugged peninsula of Muckros Head.

Nature spotTrá na gCúig MéarFive Fingers StrandBeachFive Fingers Strand is located along Trawbrega Bay, just off the main road between Malin Town and Malin Head, on the Inishowen Peninsula in County Donegal. It gets its unusual name from the five sea stacks at the north end of the beach which can be clearly seen at low tide.

Nature spotGabhla (Gola Island)BeachLess than 2km from the Donegal mainland, the 326 hectare Gabhla Island (Gola Island) is a haven for artists, birdwatchers, photographers, walkers and rock climbers.

Nature spotInis Bó Finne (Inishbofin Island) - DonegalBeachInishbofinThe sandy beaches, dramatic cliffs and hidden caves of Inis Bó Finne (Inishbofin Island), 3km off the coast of Donegal, is a haven for a myriad of bird life and a popular spot for water sports.

All 25 in County Donegal

Árainn Mhór (Arranmore Island)Island
Bá Bhaile Uí Thiarnáin (Ballyhiernan Bay)Beach
Cionn Mhucrois (Muckros Head)Beach
Five Fingers Strand Trá na gCúig MéarBeach
Gabhla (Gola Island)Beach
Inis Bó Finne (Inishbofin Island) - DonegalBeach · Inishbofin
Inis Fraoigh (Inishfree Island)Island
Island Roy - Oileán RuaidhIsland
Kinnagoe Bay Bá Chionn an GhabhaBeach
Málainn Bhig (Malinbeg)Beach · Malin Beg
Pollan Bay Cuan an PholláinBeach
Ros Goill (Rossguill Peninsula)Beach
Toraigh (Tory Island)Island
Tullan Strand Trá na dTulánBeach · Bundoran
Ballymacool Town ParkPark · Letterkenny
Bernard McGlinchey Town ParkPark · Letterkenny
Donegal Garden TrailGarden
Dunmore GardensGarden · Carrigans
Glenveagh Castle GardensGarden
GreenfortGarden · Kerrykeel
IOSAS CentreGarden
Lower CrannyGarden · Cloverhill
Salthill GardenGarden · Mountcharles
Sea View GardenGarden · Dromore
St. Columb's GardensGarden

Heritage sites in County Donegal

Monuments to visit and world heritage in County Donegal, from the National Monuments Service and the Heritage Council.

Heritage siteDonegal CastleCastleDonegalBuilt by the O'Donnell chieftain in the 15th century, beside the River Eske, the Castle has extensive 17th century additions by Sir Basil Brooke. The Castle is furnished throughout and includes Persian rugs and French…

Heritage siteNewmills Corn and Flax MillsMillMilltown (Killymasny Ed)The oldest surviving building here is said to be 400 years old. Indeed, the whole complex is an interesting reminder of a stage in the industrial development of this country which has now given way to a more…

Heritage siteGrianán AilighThe 'Grianán of Aileach'HillfortSpeenoge,Toulett,An CheathrÚ Riabhach (Tc An Bheart)On the summit of Greenan Mountain is the stone fort known as the Grianán of Aileach. From the site there are spectacular views over Lough Foyle, Lough Swilly and the surrounding countryside. The stone fort is believed…