Donegal Bluestack -7-Day Way Self-Guided Walking Tour

7 Day Self-Guided Walking Tour Donegal Bluestack Way

Our 7-day Donegal Bluestack Way self-guided walking tour is a 96 km route through some of the most remote and dramatic areas of County Donegal in the northwest of Ireland. Along the way, you will experience the unspoilt wildness of the Donegal countryside as you hike across the Bluestack Mountains, a range of rolling, green hills.

Starting in the town of Donegal, you will meet enchanting places such as Lough Eske, the ancient coastal district of Glencolmcille, stunning cliffsides alive with birds and wildflowers, and an idyllic riverside route that eventually reaches the tour’s close in the charming village of Kilcar.

For guests considering an extended Irish adventure, please browse our full range of Self-Guided Walking Tours of Ireland.

Prices / Dates

Price:  €699 per person sharing

Single Supplement: +€350

Solo Traveller Supplement: +€75

Tour Dates: 1 April to 15 October

Tour Grade: Easy to Moderate

Accommodation: Guesthouse

Included / Excluded

Day 1 - Donegal Town

Take public transport from Dublin to Donegal Town where you will spend the next two nights. Public transport takes approximately 3 hours 30 minutes from Dublin. 

Day 2 - Owenboy to Donegal Town

Your tour of the Donegal Bluestack Way starts with a taxi transfer to the townland of Owenboy. The trail takes you back across the foothills of Banagher to cross the River Eglish and along by the beautiful shores of Lough Eske, finishing back in Donegal Town.

Distance: 19.2 Km / 11.9 miles, Ascent: 477 m / 1564 ft, Approximate walking time: 5 / 6 hours

Day 3 - Owenboy to the village of Glenties

The scenic trail today takes you along an old bog road, through farmland and across the foothills of the Bluestacks Mountains to finish your day in the village of Glenties.

Distance: 21.6 Km / 13.4 miles, Ascent: 624 m / 2047 ft, Approximate walking time: 6 / 7 hours

Day 4 - Glenties to Ardara

From the village of Glenties, you will walk along quiet roads to arrive at the banks of the Owentocker River. Following the bank of the river, this meandering walk brings you into the village of Ardara. Ardara is a designated Heritage Town and also a well-known centre for the manufacture of Donegal homespun tweeds. You will stay overnight in Ardara.

Distance: 12.3 Km / 7.6 miles, Ascent: 132 m / 433 ft, Approximate walking time: 3 / 4 hours

Day 5 - Ardara to Glencolmcille

Complimentary taxi to the start of your walk.

Today’s trail takes you further west along by the base of Slievetooey Mountain to follow the Glen River to the townland of Port. Port is one of the remotest and least visited corners of Ireland. From here the trail takes you south to the side of Faugher Mountain where you will have some beautiful mountain and sea cliff views. Your day finishes in the village of Glencolmcille, a Gaeltacht area (Irish speaking).

Distance: 24 km / 15 miles, Ascent: 659 m / 1977 ft, Approximate walking time: 7 / 9 hours

(Today's walk can be shortened to 20 km)

Day 6 - Glencolmcille to Kilcar

From Glencolmcille, the trail takes you through the hills of Contycro and Screggacula, passing Lough Unshagh and Lough Unna and into the small village of Carrick. Carrick is situated in the Gaeltacht area of South West Donegal, an area renowned for river fishing, sea angling and is rich in folklore and archaeology. It has a long tradition of hand-woven tweed and knitwear and many festivals are held there throughout the year.

From Carrick, the trail takes you south-east to the village of Kilcar, a quiet village that is also part of the Gaeltacht. While you are in Kilcar you will have a chance to visit one of Donegal’s finest hand-weaving and clothing manufacturing company, a skill that has been handed down from generation to generation.

Distance: 17.5 km / 10.8 miles, Ascent: 680 m / 2230 ft, Approximate walking time: 5 / 6 hours

Day 7 - Depart

After a hearty Irish breakfast, you will depart for home.

A few words from our customers...

My husband and I booked this tour to celebrate our thirtieth wedding anniversary. Though our hopes were high, this trip totally exceeded our expectations! We wandered, hiked and walked through some of the most gorgeous places imaginable. Each day was a delightful…
Cathy & Brian
USA
My dad and I decided to sign up for the Donegal Bluestack tour after many hours of online research, and what a great decision it proved to be. The reviews on this site are spot on. The places we visited were breath taking, the bed and breakfasts were warm and welcoming, and the company was absolutely fantastic! We lucked out with the weather in that it only rained heavily for a day and a half, but definitely bring raingear because the walking will go on, rain or shine. I cannot say enough good things about Footfalls Walking Tours- we're already in the midst of planning our next trip with them.
Kathy & Jim
USA