Leghowney Loop Walk

Official walking route

Explorer Tom

Leghowney Loop begins with a steep climb and then pays you back in broad Donegal Bay views, a bit of forest and a close look at the working wind farm. I told my legs the first kilometre was a warm-up; they have requested a meeting with the person who wrote that cheerful lie. Sport Ireland lists this as a moderate 6.9-kilometre loop from Leghowney Hall car park, taking about two hours and returning to the same place. Follow green arrows on white markers. The local route sheet rounds the distance to seven kilometres and explains that the first kilometre climbs steeply through the Meenadreen wind farm entrance. Do not save all your energy for the end; this walk asks for some of it early. The path then crosses forest and wind farm roads before returning by rural public roads. The local sheet points out the remains of the Travis homestead near the rising track and information about local history and wildlife at a bench. Higher up, a rest place near the first turbine gives views over Donegal Bay; on a clear day the horizon can stretch toward Sligo, Inishmurray and Mayo. The turbines are part of the present landscape rather than ruins or visitor sculptures. I imagine them discussing which walker has packed the best sandwiches, but they are working machines and deserve a respectful distance. Keep to the walking route and any posted safety directions. As the loop descends, the Drummenny River and farmland replace the high view. The route sheet describes a road junction after the wind farm where the final stretch runs on the old main Derry-to-Sligo road. This is still used by traffic, so face oncoming vehicles where the path is narrow and stand aside safely when needed. The walking committee recommends a bright layer for visibility. Green markers help with the changes between tracks and roads, but carry the route sheet or a map too. There is a firm access limit: the local guide says the wind farm section is open to walkers only in daylight. Start early enough to finish that part before dusk, and do not assume a moonlit circuit is allowed. Dogs are permitted on leads according to Sport Ireland and the local guide; keep them close around traffic, farms and other walkers. Wear good walking shoes, bring water and a layer for changing weather, and check the current route information before leaving. There are no promises of food or toilets along the circuit, so plan your needs in advance. Leghowney is a fine walk for seeing how Donegal's past and present share one hillside: an old homestead, working fields, turbines and the bay beyond them. Let the first climb set an honest pace, then take time over the view. Your legs may forgive me by the time you reach the hall again.

What is recorded here

Sport Ireland records Leghowney Loop Walk as a loop route, 6.9 km, graded moderate, with a listed walking time of 2 hours in County Donegal. This page keeps the official start point; the route's local history and the places passed along the way still need to be added.

From Sport Ireland Outdoors 1622

Path conditions and access can change. Check the official route page before setting out.

Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 6.9 km
Walking time: 2 hours

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Photo credits

louise price, Geograph · Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0
Maker not stated on source page, www.dreamstime.com
louise price, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
National Inventory of Architectural Heritage
Maker not stated on source page, uk.pinterest.com
Maker not stated on source page, en.wikipedia.org
Maker not stated on source page, www.pinterest.com
Maker not stated on source page, www.markholan.org
Maker not stated on source page, www.flickr.com

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