Ulster Way

Walking route

Explorer Tom

The Ulster Way makes a splendidly bold promise: go walking around Ulster, and let Donegal provide the wild mountain chapter that stops your boots getting too pleased with themselves. I would call it a gentle afternoon stroll, but the Bluestacks might laugh so hard that the map folds itself shut. This is a long-distance route, not one little path beginning at the map pin on this page. Discover Donegal describes its Donegal section as about 111 kilometres, running north from Lough Derg near Pettigo through the Bluestack and Derryveagh mountains towards Falcarragh. It says parts are waymarked and calls the mountain section demanding work for experienced hillwalkers. The wider Ulster Way circles Northern Ireland, with a portion in Donegal; the Causeway Coast visitor service describes both marked and unmarked sections and advises public transport for road-heavy connecting stretches. That distinction matters more than any heroic boast about walking every metre. Think of Donegal's contribution as a sequence of landscapes rather than a single attraction. The southern start has Lough Derg country and upland roads; farther north come open hills, valleys and big views that can change entirely when cloud drops. Paddy Dillon's guide divides the Donegal stretch into Pettigo to Lough Eske, Lough Eske to Fintown, Fintown to Dunlewy and Dunlewy to Falcarragh. Those stages make planning possible without pretending that this page's marker is a trailhead. Each day's start, finish and transport deserve their own attention. There are few rewards sweeter than seeing Donegal open out after a hard climb, except perhaps dry socks afterwards. Bring a current route map, compass or reliable offline navigation, clothing for cold wet weather, food and enough daylight. The walk includes remote upland ground, where a straight line on a screen can hide bog, steep slopes or a river that changes after rain. Check the latest official route information and local advice before leaving; old guide descriptions can outlive path changes. Tell someone your intended stage and return time. I shall happily narrate a dramatic rescue story once you are safely back, but I would much rather you never need the rescue. Do not assume every field crossing is open, every connecting road pleasant or every section suitable for a casual visitor. Use signed routes and public roads lawfully, respect livestock and gates, and take public transport when an unmarked road link is better travelled that way. If you want a shorter outing, choose a separately described local walk near one of the route towns instead of improvising a cut across private land. This broad route entry cannot promise parking, toilets or access at an arbitrary point along its line. What wins me over is the scale of the invitation. The Ulster Way gives Donegal's mountains a place in a much larger journey, while still allowing a visitor to choose one properly planned stage. Study the route, pick a fair-weather day and let the county show off; I suspect even the map will stop bragging once the hills begin.

Operator: Dept of the Environment (NI)
Distance: 1000

What do you know about this place?Tap to add a comment or ask a question

More pictures of this place

What is recorded here

A series of walking routes which encircles Northern Ireland.

From OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors) r918951

Places near here

Photo credits

National Inventory of Architectural Heritage
Eric Jones, Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0
Kenneth Allen, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
Tawg, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0
Kmcnamee, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
Maker not stated on source page, ca.pinterest.com
Maker not stated on source page, www.pinterest.com

Belleek Battery / FortBattery and garrison fort · 116 yd

Explorer Tom Belleek Battery / Fort was raised right after the 1798 rebellion to guard the crucial bridge at Cloghgore. It’s now a…

Belleek Pottery MuseumMuseum · 230 yd

Explorer Tom Belleek Pottery Museum is the place to discover that a teacup can have a more dramatic family history than half the…

Belleek PotteryHeritage attraction · 256 yd

Explorer Tom Belleek Pottery in County Fermanagh is writing its dating profile right now: 'I make pretty blue things, I’m slightly…

Battle of BelleekBattle · 439 yd

Explorer Tom Battle of Belleek, also called the Battle of the Erne Fords, took place at a River Erne crossing near Belleek on 10…

Páirc na hEirne, Erne Gaels, BelleekGAA ground · 1005 yd

Tetunny GraveyardGraveyard · 1148 yd

Explorer Tom Tetunny Graveyard in County Donegal sounds like a name you’d invent for a pirate’s hideout. I bet the soil here tastes…

Battlefield in Cloghore (carrickboy Ed),corlea (pettigo Ed)Battlefield · 1209 yd

Explorer Tom Battlefield in Cloghore, Corlea refuses to fall down because it is terrified that if it does, the cows will finally…

Cliff Generating StationHydroelectric power station · 1299 yd

Explorer Tom Cliff Generating Station in Cloghore is such an austere Modernist block that Saint Patrick would have walked right past…

Rockfield HouseHouse · 1.1 mi

Explorer Tom Rockfield House in Knocknashangan hums a sad tune every time the wind blows through its sash windows, probably because…

bridge1.1 mi

Explorer Tom Bridge in Corlea has two arches and a hump, with an almond-shaped cutwater dividing the Tullybaradaire River. I think…

Rowantreehill HouseHouse · 1.3 mi

Explorer Tom Rowantreehill House has a weird little hole by the door. I bet it’s where they kept their secret snacks, or maybe just…

Possible megalithic tomb: graveyard in KeenaghanPossible Megalithic Tomb: Graveyard · 1.6 mi

Explorer Tom Possible megalithic tomb: graveyard in Keenaghan is where the hero nobody remembers saved the day. He buried his fame…

More walking routes in County Donegal · All of County Donegal

Add to this placeAdd a picture Add a detailed tip Add a story

Explore the map1,095,414 places to discover

Next place · or swipeBelleek Battery / Fort