The International Appalachian Trail in the Republic of Ireland Co.Donegal
Note: The entire length IAT is 118.5km. We have divided it into day walks for convenience for the hiker
Bunglass Car Park to Malin More
Distance: 17.5km
Walking Time: 6-7 hours
Trail Difficulty: Challenging
Terrain: steep, difficult ground, rocky, boggy and exposed in places. Road walk section. Unmarked in places.
The IAT begins at the Bunglass car park. Information signs/placards and several wooden tables and benches scatter the area. Excellent views along jagged coastline and cliffs. Climb the steep stone steps to a high point. Views back down at car park and towards Teelin, Carrick and beyond. You can see the trail hugging the cliff edge winding up to The Eagles Nest. The trail moves slightly away from the coast. One trail becomes many routes. Heavily used area with several paths leading to the same place. Choose one and continue climbing. The trail traverses a knife-edge heading towards The Eagles Nest. You will quickly see why it is named this. The trail is very exposed, tricky to follow and has dangerous footing. The views are incredible looking straight down to the sea and along the coastline. The pilgrim path can also be seen coming up from Teelin. The trail goes up and down before reaching a highpoint and levelling out. There is a trail that skirts around the knife-edge of The Eagles Nest. This is far less exposed and easy to follow. The path is boggy and the footing can be difficult in some places but it is the safest way up the ridge. The trail intersects with the pilgrim path. This trail is marked with yellow blazes/markings painted on the stones. Follow the yellow blazes down a few hundred meters to Ade McBric’s church ruins and holy wells. Nice views looking North East. Making you way back up to the trail and continue along the level terrain towards Slieve League. The trail follows a short knife-edge finally reaching the 595-meter summit of Slieve League. There are 360-degree panoramic views.
Walk off the summit and continue down the steep grassy trail. It is important to note that this section of trail from Slieve League summit to Malin Beg will never be waymarked. It is a sensitive area. It is recommended that experienced hikers with proper gear, map and compass should attempt this section of trail. Some rocks in places. Excellent views looking back along the cliffs and rugged coastline back towards the car park. Cross a fence at the beginning and stay on the ocean side for a couple hundred meters. Cross back through the fence and continue down steeply towards the creek. Choose you own route. You can stay close to the coast meandering down the steep terrain. Cross the creek and climb a hill. From here there are incredible views looking back up towards the summit. Cross another creek and climb the side of Leahan near the coastline. The best views of the day are here. The lush green grasses combined with the sheer cliffs, sea and waterfall make for a perfect photograph. Continue along the side of Leahan and begin descending towards the town of Malin Beg. Views of the town and beautiful coastal areas come into view. Reach a dirt road and follow into town. Walk behind a few houses and farms before reaching a gate. Go through the gate and follow the paved road through part of town. At the T-junction take a right and continue 7km (or so) to the town of Malinmore. There are great views during the road walk of Leahan and Malin Bay.
In Malinmore there is a wonderful hostel called Aras Ghleann Cholm Cille Hostel. A great place, incredibly friendly with nice rooms and excellent breakfast. The owner, Paul, will provide shuttles to and from places along the trail.
Malin More to Port
Distance: 14.5km
Walking Time: 4-5 hours
Trail Difficulty: moderate
Terrain: graded climbs, short road walk section, coastal path, wet in places, well marked.
The trail continues past the Aras Ghleann Cholm Cille Hostel along the road for a couple hundred meters or so. Takes a left and follow the bumpy gravel road up the mountain. Climbing towards the high point there are great views of the sea, Leahan and Slieve League. The town of Gleann Cholm Cille come into view. Admire the great views across Glen Bay and Glen Head. The gravel/dirt road turns into pavement and continue down into the town. Gleann Cholm Cille is a small town with shops, restaurants, post office and hostel.
The trail crosses the main road of town and continues on the Sli Cholmcille trail signs/posts. Cross the river and take a left at road junction with Loop Walk post/marker. Continue towards the sea and pass beside strand and cross over a bridge. Views looking up towards beside Beefan and Garveross Mountain. Follow the Looped walk posts to the right and pass behind a house and continue to climb. Walk past two more houses and reach a dirt track with a gate. Go through the gate and climb. Walk up several switch backs up towards Glen Head. There are excellent views looking back at town. After reaching the highpoint a trail junction marked “Signal Tower” takes you to a stone signal tower overlooking the Atlantic ocean. Amazing views!
Retrace your steps back down to the trail junction. Take a left and climb the grassy track heading away from the coast. The trail here is very wet and boggy in places but easy to follow. There are several spots to look back at the signal tower and ocean. Eventually the trail turns into an old road. Continue down to a junction. You can take a right and head back down into town. Take a left on the IAT and continue up the old road towards radio towers/antennas. Reaching a high point the views open up towards Port and down the valley to the East. The trail hugs the coastline. Stunning scenery! The closer you get to Port the more spectacular the scenery becomes. There are countless views of the deep blue sea and the crashing waves against the rocks and coastline. The IAT crosses a stone bridge and continues towards Port. The trail passes a memorial headstone in memory of people on the Sydney. 18 people lost their lives on this ship back in 1870. Cross another stone bridge and you are at Port.
This is not a town so you will need to arrange someone to pick you up.
Port to Ardara
Distance: 23km
Walking Time: 5-6 hours
Trail Difficulty: moderate
Terrain: 18km road walk section. 5km of cross-country trail is wet and boggy in places.
The trail continues up the gentle sloping road and follows along the river. The road passes beside Killyfanned Lough. Even though this is a road walk there are great views of rivers, lakes and the countryside. Pass Lougheraherk off in the distance and stay to the left at the first road intersection. Soon after the road continues but take a left and follow the road heading in between Slievetooey and Crockurra. The road ends and the trail continues along the track. Pass through a gate and continue along the fence and Glen River. The trail hugs the small river. The terrain is rolling and very wet and boggy. Constant short ups and downs heading up towards the north side of Crockurra. Follow trail posts scattered across the countryside.
Reach a fence near the saddle and take a right following close to the fence. Follow the fence when it heads left. The terrain levels off here. Continue along fence and the views of the Maghera strand, loughs and countryside open up. The IAT crosses the fence and continues down towards a road far below. Excellent views here. Continue down the step terrain finally reaching the road. Follow the pavement around and down a stunning valley. Maghera Strand opens up in full view. Great views down the valley with the Owenwee River flowing towards the Bay. At the bottom of the valley is Maghera. This road section follows along the Maghera Strand finally reaching the Assarnacally Waterfall. A stunning tiered waterfall. There are plenty of views looking across the Strand and back towards the sea. The road can be busy at times with cars flying by. Pay attention especially around bends. Eventually the road intersects with N56. Take a left and head into the town of Ardara.
The small town is great with several good eating spots, pubs and groceries. The Nesbitt Arms Hotel is a wonderful place to stay. It has nice big rooms and affordable prices. There is a relaxing pub with good food in hotel. Overall great stay.
Ardara to Glenties
Distance: 12km
Walking Time: 3-4 hours
Trail Difficulty: easy
Terrain: road walk sections, cross country trail, many wooden planks, footbridges and stiles to cross, well marked.
This is the beginning of the Bluestack Way. The IAT follows the same path all the way towards N15 outside Donegal town. Leaving the hotel head left down main street. Cross Owenlocker River and climb hill. Pass N56 junction to Glenties. Continue on towards Nairn and Portnoo. Pass Top store where you could grab some snacks, drinks, etc. This section follows along a busy road. Follow signs for Bluestack Way to Donegal Town. Take right and follow old, quiet road. Cross through gate/fence and continue along country road. Great views towards Bluestack Mountains and back towards the coast. Very pleasant walking here. Reach Owenea River and cross over bridge. Climb a wooden stile and head cross country following the river. Walk over the many short wooden planks. All of them are in good shape. Climb another stile and continue along the river. Pass a short wet, boggy section. Old rail road tracks appear on and beside the footpath. Walk along tracks a couple hundred meters. Cross a fork in the river and reach forest track. Continue between the river and forest, pass by two metal footbridges and a stone bridge. Climb a stile, a double stile and take right over bridge. Take left in 50 meters. Climb another stile and continue along river. Cross a total of five stiles and finally cross metal bridge over river. Walk straight off of bridge heading towards old building with red roof. Take a left and go through fence/gate. Reach road junction with trail signs and markers. Take right (sign says to Donegal Town) and follow road. At “Y” intersection veer right. Glenties comes into view and the road enters the town. Come to the main street and take a right. Walk down main street passing several restaurants, shops and pubs.
A great place to stay at is Campbells Hostel. It is located just off main street. There are plenty of bunk spaces, several private rooms and a large common area and kitchen & very good rates available.
Glenties to Tymeen (Letterbara FC pitch)
Distance: 15.5km
Walking Time: 4-5 hours
Trail Difficulty: moderate
Terrain: road walk sections, steep climbs, cross-country section, wet in places, well marked.
Across from the Champbell’s Hostel are the signs for the Bluestack Way. Head straight up road 253 and head out of town. The Bluestack Mountains come into full view, heading straight towards them. Take a right at trail junction leaving the paved road behind. Follow footpath between pastures and cross bridge over Owenea River. Cross paved road and continue straight. The trail begins a steady climb passing by a couple of houses before reaching a gate. After passing through the gate there are views looking back across to Glenties. Continue climbing the side of Meenakilwirra. Go through another gate. The higher you climb the better the views looking back to Glenties, windmills and lakes. At the highpoint there are excellent views looking East and at the Bluestacks. Walk through open, grassy meadow towards forest track. Continue beside thick forest. Cross two stiles and leave the forest track. Reach an old road and take a right and pass through two more gates. Follow road and trail posts to the right. This section is well marked. Cross Owenroe River and take left along gravel road. Follow along river with Carnaween high in distance. Great views approaching Bluestacks. The gravel road ends and take a right beside well placed picnic table. Pass though old house ruins and head up Cloghmeen. Follow the many, many posts up the top of the mountain. From here there are incredible views towards Maghera Strand, ocean and surrounding countryside. At the top, follow along the fence traversing Cloghmeen. This short section is very boggy in places. The trail eventually crosses a stile and leaves the ridge. Before climbing down you can continue an additional 100 meters past the stile to get some impressive views looking across the many peaks. Cross the stile and climb down. Parts of the trail are very steep and wet. The further down you go the more stunning the scenery to the East becomes. You now get a better perspective of the beautiful and rugged Bluestack Mountains. Incredible landscape! Cross over two stile and pass through some old ruins to reach a road junction. An alternate route of the Bluestack Way goes right heading back to Glenties. The IAT goes left and follow gravel road. Go through a gate and gravel becomes old pavement. Reach road junction with Disert Graveyard signs and trail posts. Take left and climb hill to Disert Graveyard side trail junction. Take right and walk couple hundred meters through pastures to the graveyard. Easy to follow the signs. Disert Graveyard has an old stone megalith, healing well and ancient gravesites. This is a very spiritual places surrounded by beauty scenery.
Head back the way you came and take a right up the hill. Pass through 4 separate gates and veer to the right heading back down towards the road. At road intersection take a left and reach the Letterbarra football pitch. There are toilet facilities in the building. You will need to arrange a shuttle down to the Bluestack Centre Hostel that is around 4km down the road. The Bluestack Centre Hostel is big, clean and very relaxing. Great kitchen and bunk rooms. This place is suitable for single travellers up to large school groups.