Donegal Bluestack Way – 9 Days
Donegal Bluestack Way – 9 Day – Self-Guided Walking Holiday
Our 9-day (With Rest Days in The village of Glenties and Glencolmcille) Donegal Bluestack Way independent walking tour is an 118 km route through the remotest areas of County Donegal in the north-west of Ireland. Along the route, you will experience the wild and raw nature of the countryside as you hike across the Bluestack Mountains which are a group of rolling, gentle hills. Starting in the town of Donegal, you will experience scenic Lough Eske, ancient Glencolmcille, stunning coastal cliffs with all its myriad of bird and plant life, following a riverside route to eventually reaching the village of Kilcar.
Tour Pricing & Dates
| 9 Day Tour | €656 per person sharing |
|---|---|
| Single Supplement | +€200 |
| Tour Dates | March to October |
| Tour Grade | Easy to Moderate |
| Accommodation | Guesthouse |
| BOOKING | BOOK THIS TOUR |
Video
Map
Itinerary
- Day 1 / Donegal Town
- Take public transport from Dublin to Donegal Town where you will spend you next two nights. Public transport takes approximately 3 hours 30 min Overnight Donegal Town
- Day 2 / Owenboy to Donegal Town
- Your tour of the Donegal and 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; Ascent: 477 m. Approximate walking time; 5 to 6 hours
- Day 3 / Owenboy to the village of Glenties
- The trail takes you along an old bog road and through farmland that takes you on a beautiful section across the foothills of the Bluestacks Mountains to finish your day in the village of Distance: 21.6 Km, Ascent 624 m, approximate walking time, 6 to 7 hours
- Day 4 / Rest Day in the Glenties
- The village of Glenties is situated at the North West edge of the Blue Stack Mountains. The Town has regularly been described as an oasis by many of the people who come to visit.
- Day 5 / Glenties to Ardara
- From the village of Glenties, you follow along quiet back 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 Distance: 12. 31 Km; Ascent 132 m, approximate walking time; 3 to 4 hours
- Day 6 / Ardara to Glencolmcille
- Today’s walk 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 wonderful mountain and sea cliff views. Your day finishes in the village of Glencolmcille, a Gaeltacht area (Irish Speaking). Distance: 26 km; ascent 1100 m; Approximate walking time: 8-9 hours (You can shorten this walk down to 20 Km if you wish)
- Day 7 / Rest Day
- There are 80 archaeological sites to explore in Glencolmcille dating back as far as 5,000 BC. Fresh and saltwater fishing are widely available as this area relies on fishing for a large part of its livelihood. These wild and remote stretches of coastline with its cliffs and headlands offer unrivalled chances for dolphin and bird watching.
- Day 8 / Glencolmcille to Kilcar
- From Glencolmcille the trails brings you between the hills of Contycro and Screggacula, passing Lough Unshagh and Lough Unna. Through the small village of Carrick. Carrick is a 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 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, Ascent: 680 m, approximate walking time 5 to 6 hours
- Day 9 / Depart
- Depart for home by public transport .
Included
- 8 nights B&B
- All accommodation is pre-booked in approved family-run guesthouses with all rooms en-suite
- Breakfast is supplied each day
- Maps and waterproof route notes, both trails have been walked and checked by Christopher from Footfalls
- Luggage Transfers daily while you walk with a small day pack
- All information on trains or buses needed to get to your first accommodation and back at the end of the tour
- Full back up service should you require it while on our tour.
Not Included
- Transfers from point of arrival to start of tour in Donegal Town and from end of tour in Kilcar
- Packed lunches
- Evening meals
