ACCOMMODATION
Silver Tassie Hotel, Ramelton Road, Letterkenny, F92 NF
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Itinerary
Sunday 3rd – Saturday 9th September 2023
Dé Domhnaigh 3ú – Dé Satharn 9ú Meán Fómhar 2023
DAY 1 – Malin Head
Sunday 3rd September
MEET POINT: Meeting point for the bus ‘Lagg Church’ Eircode F93 FY71
MEET TIME: 8.45AM SHARP
Walk Starts: 10AM SHARP
Distance: Estimated 16.5km Time: 4-5 hours Approximately
Coach transfer from ‘Lagg Church’ to the starting point near Malin Head, this is a moderate to strenuous walk with stunning coastal scenery of Ireland’s most northerly point. From Malin Head we take the coastal path past ‘Hell’s Hole’ where Star Wars was filmed and onto Bamba’s Crown and then heading south, we take in some of the quieter back roads past the Coast Guard Station and back along the coast by ‘White Strand Bay’. We then climb the roadway over the Knockamany bends which have magical views over ‘Five Finger’s Strand’ before finishing at ‘Lagg Church’.
We then travel in cavalcade of cars to the Lough Swilly Car Ferry in Buncrana and transfer to Fanad Penninsula for Day 2.
NOTE: Hiking Boots, reflective jacket, weather-proof clothing, sun cream, and a packed lunch & water are essential.
Moderate to Strenuous
DAY 2 – Knockalla
Monday 4th September
MEET POINT: 55°08’35.1″N 7°37’50.6″W
Registration 9.15AM
Walk Starts: 10AM SHARP
Distance: Estimated 6km (Hills, Ups & Downs) Time: 4-5 hours Approximately
Today we leave the road and take to the mountains. This linear walk along the ridge of Knockalla Mountain involves several ‘ups’ & ‘downs’ and is quite strenuous in parts. The terrain can be boggy in places and there are some steep sections but the amazing views of Fanad Penninsula, Ballymastoker Bay, Portsalon and across to Lough Swilly and Malin Head make every step worth while. Given, of course, that we have the visibility for Day 2.
NOTE: Hiking Boots, reflective jacket, weather-proof clothing, a packed lunch and water are essential.
Strenuous
DAY 3 – Horn Head
Tuesday 5th September
MEET POINT: Eircode F92 N6TF
Registration: 9.15pm
Walk Starts: 10AM SHARP
Distance: Estimated 14km Time: 4-5 Hours Approximately
Todays walk begins in the village of Dunfanaghy at Arnold’s Hotel. This is a moderate, loop road walk. We will take the road from the village to the look-out post on Horn Head. A definite photo spot. The road rises steadily from sea-level just outside the village to an approximate height of 230mts over 3 km. After taking in the views from the lookout post we will then walk around Horn Head along the Wild Atlantic Way with its spectacular views of Rosguill, Fanad and Inishowen, before returning to the village of Dunfanaghy.
NOTE: Hiking boots or good footwear, reflective jacket, weather-proof clothing, and a packed lunch and water are essential.
Moderate
DAY 4 – Errigal Sunrise Walk
Wednesday 6th September
MEET POINT: Google Maps – ‘Errigal Mountain Hike Parking’
REGISTRATION & HIKE START TIME: 4 A.M.
Distance: 5.5km Hike (Boardwalk – Single File) Time: 4-5 Hours Approximately
As we reach half way on the Donegal Camino, a Sunrise hike of Donegal’s highest peak Errigal is scheduled. The start time will be published closer to the date so please follow our social media for news. Strenuous but exhilarating, our sunrise climb of Errigal is sure to inspire everyone. The walk will begin at the Errigal Car-park on the main Dunlewey to Glenveagh road – east of Dunlewey village. We will take the newly constructed path to the summit of Errigal mountain at 751mts – Donegal’s highest mountain. The climb is likely to be slow as the path is narrow but again the rewards will be great for all who climb. A mindfull and spiritual start to our day for sure.
NOTE: Hiking boots, head Light, torch, reflective jacket, weather-proof clothing, and a packed lunch and water are all OBLIGATORY.
We transfer to Tory island / Óildeáin Toraigh on the passenger ferry later in the afternoon for an overnight stay. Times TBC closer to the date.
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Strenuous
DAY 5 – Oileáin Toraigh – Tory Island
Thursday 7th September
MEET POINT: Caladh Toraigh – Tory Pier
Walk Starts: 10AM SHARP
Distance: Estimated 9-10km. Time: 3-4 hours Approximately
Awakening on the Gaeltacht island of Oileáin Toraigh – Tory Island, we all meet at the island’s pier. From there, this road and track walk initially takes us to the west-end of the island walking towards the lighthouse and back to the village past ‘’Derek Hill’s’’ cabin. We then head to the East-end of the island for spectacular views of ‘Tor-More’ or an Tór Mór, the highest point on the island, approximately 70m above sea level. We then return to the village to conclude our walk and visit to Oileáin Toraigh. We return by ferry to the mainland in the afternoon.
NOTE: Good footwear, reflective jacket, weather-proof clothing, and a packed lunch and water are essential.
Travelling to Oileáin Toraigh – Tory Island will be weather permitting. In the case of not travelling we will have a suitable Plan B which will be announced closer to the date.
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Moderate
DAY 6 – Maghery, Ardara
Friday 8th September
MEET POINT: Car Park at Catholic Church
Registration: 9AM SHARP IN THE CHURCH CARPARK – COACH TRANSFER
Walk Starts: 10AM SHARP
Distance: Estimated: 15km Time: 4-5 hours Approximately
Todays walk begins in the seaside area of Maghery near the town of Ardara in Southwest Donegal. A coach takes all walkers from the Church in Ardara to the starting point which will certainly be a Selfie Spot as we begin at the magnificent ‘’Assaranka Waterfall’’. We take a short walk along a road section before we climb a track which brings us to the top of the waterfall and into the peaceful valley of ‘Minte Seisce’. We will then take the country road through the valley to Stravally before turning uphill towards the top of the glacial valley known as ‘Granny Glen’’. It is simply breathtaking. We finish up back at the “Assaranka Waterfall”.
NOTE: Hiking boots and / or good footwear, reflective jacket, weather-proof clothing, a packed lunch and water are essential.
Strenuous
DAY 7 – SLIABH LIAG
Saturday 9th September
MEET POINT: Sliabh Liag Visitor Centre F94 W8KC
Walk Starts: 10AM SHARP
Distance: Estimated 12km Time: 4-5 hours Approximately
Today we walk to the summit of the iconic ‘Sliabh Liag’, Europe’s highest Sea Cliffs. A mixture of road, track, and bog this is a strenuous walk but a most rewarding one which is a perfect crescendo on which to finish the third Donegal Camino. Beginning at the Sliabh Liag Visitor Centre we will take the pathway at the back of the mountain called ‘The Pilgrim’s Path’’ rising to a height of 595mts. The crossing of the unique ‘One Man’s Path’ will be weather dependant and determined on the day. We return to the Sliabh Liag visitor centre along the same route.
NOTE: Hiking boots, weather-proof clothing, and a packed lunch and water are essential.