Walks 2010
This listing will be added to as the year progresses.
DATE WALK/THEME TIME GRADE
Weds 17th March Guided Hill Walk 10am C/D
Saturday 3rd April Early Morning Wildlife Walk & Breakfast 7am A
Sunday 4th April Early Morning Wildlife Walk & Breakfast 7am A
Monday 5th April Guided Hill Walk 10am C/D
Tuesday 6th April Derryveagh Eviction Walk 10am A
Saturday 10th April ‘Spring Time in Glenveagh’ Family Walk 10am & 3pm A
Sunday 25th April Guided Hill Walk 10am C/D
Monday 3rd May ‘Dawn Chorus’ Walk & Breakfast 7am A
Monday 3rd May Guided Hill Walk 10am C/D
Sunday 23rd May Early Morning Wildlife Walk & Breakfast 7am C/D
Wednesday 26th May ‘Glenveagh at Dusk’ Walk and Meal 6.30pm A
Sunday 30th May Guided Hill Walk 10am C/D
Monday 7th June Guided Hill Walk 10am C/D
Monday 7th June ‘Wildflowers of Donegal’ Walk and Picnic 1pm A/B
Sunday 27th June Guided Hill Walk 10am C/D
Saturday 3rd July ‘Landscape Photography’ Walk & Talk 3pm B
Sunday 11th July Guided Hill Walk 10am C/D
Monday 12th July ‘The Glenveagh Way’ (see events page) 10am B
Sunday 25th July Guided Hill Walk 10am C/D
Sunday 1st August Early Morning Wildlife Walk & Breakfast 7am A
Monday 2nd August Guided Hill Walk 10am C/D
Monday 2nd August Bat Walk and BBQ 6pm A
Sunday 22nd August ‘The Great Tree Trail’ Family Walk 3pm A
Sunday 29th August Guided Hill Walk 10am C/D
Saturday 11th Sep Guided Hill Walk 10am C/D
Sunday 26th Sep Guided Hill Walk 10am C/D
Saturday 25th Sep ‘Autumn in Glenveagh’ Guided Walk 10am & 2pm A
Sunday 10th Oct Guided Hill Walk 10am C/D
Monday 25th Oct Early Morning Wildlife Walk & Breakfast 7am A
Monday 25th Oct Guided Hill Walk 10am C/D
Sat 4th & Sun 5th Dec Winter Walk, Lunch and Stories by the Fire 11am A
Please Note:
- All walks leave from the visitor centre unless other wise stated.
- Places must be booked in advance at glenveaghbookings@environ.ie / 07191 37090 xt 3609
- All Guided walks cost €5 per adult. Children are free of charge.
- Please wear suitable clothing and footwear and come prepared with drinks and snacks, any medication you require and a first aid kit. A change of clothes is advised for longer walks.
- Where a meal is available, the cost is an extra €10 per person. We are part of the Slow Food Movement and all food is sourced locally.
- Please ensure you are capable of completing your chosen walk. If in doubt, please call us beforehand to discuss the route.
Walks are graded as follows:
A
Easy – Mainly on paths or tracks. Little or no climbing involved. Suitable for most active people and older children. Max 3 hours duration but family walks usually last no more than 1.5 hours.
B
Moderate – Clan involve climbing and descending on sometimes rough terrain. Suitable for experienced walkers with good fitness. Walks last 3-4 hours.
C/D
Strenuous – Can involve a lot of climbing and descending on rough, steep, wet ground with duration of 5-7 hours. Suitable for experienced walkers with high fitness levels.
There are a number of walks that visitors can do around the park, either themselves or with a guide. For full information on all aspects of walking, contact the Nature Team at glenveagh-education@environ.ie or 074-91-37698.
It is also possible to book your self our your group in for a guided walk with a member of our Nature Team at anytime, subject to availability. Please contact us at the above number or e-mail us.
Self guided and family themed walks are also available, as are a variety of themed Treasure Hunts.
New free maps and information for self guided trails.
Our stunning view point trail has had a revamp with new maps and information to keep you entertained and informed while you clamber to the heights. The view point trail is a steep (ish) 2km walk but is well worth it as it gives great views of the castle, gardens and all of the glen. Along the way the map and information provides walkers with additional points to see and encounter, including information about many of the plants seen during the walk. These maps can be collected from the Visitors Center, Castle or Nature Centre. Alternatively a guide book of all the parks trails can be purchased at the Visitors Centre.
New Self-Guided Tree Trail
A new self-guided Tree Trail from the Visitors Centre to the Castle is now available. 15 points of interest have been highlighted for this Lakeshore walk. The main focus is on Trees in the park, both native and non-native, all of which you will encounter on your walk. A map and information sheet can be collected free of charge at the Visitors Centre, or down load it from our homepage.
Download the Self-Guided View-Point Trail Heree
- Any relevant medical conditions must be brought to the rangers/guides attention before the walk commences
- Walkers take part in the walks at their own risk and Rangers and /or Glenveagh National Park have no responsibility with regard to claims and/or accidents
Contact Bookings at 074-91-37090 ext.3609 or glenveaghbookings@environ.ie
Derrylahan Trail
Length: 2km
Time: 45mins
Terrain: undulating grassy track
This attractive way marked walk near the Visitor Centre is an ideal introduction to Glenveagh’s natural environment. It offers visitors of all ages and fitness levels a chance to see some of the plants and animals of Glenveagh National Park. The trail passes through a number of habitats along the route. These include both native and planted woodlands, and a section of blanket bog. The trail also provides excellent views of the Glenveagh Valley. The name Derrylahan is derived from the Irish Doire Leathan, meaning broad oakwood because this area was originally covered in Oak Forest. The terrain involved includes both grassy and gravel paths and visitors should allow approx. 45 minutes to fully explore the trail. A guide to the Derrylahan Nature Trail is available from the Visitor Centre.
The Garden Trail
Length: 1km
Time: 1hr
Terrain: Gravel pathway
Following a well-marked route the trail offers visitors a full tour of the features of the gardens. Started around 1890 by Cornelia Adair and embellished in the 1960’s and 1970’s by Henry Mc Ilhenny the garden offers great contrast with the surrounding landscape. Features include an extensive collection of exotic trees and shrubs, an important collection of garden ornaments, a colourful walled garden and a number of locations where the visitor can relax and enjoy the natural environment. The castle and garden book gives a full account of the features encountered. The garden trail takes an hour to complete and is accessible to wheelchairs although steep in one or two places.
View Point Trail
Length: 1km
Time: 50 mins
Terrain: Steep stony path
The View Point Trail is perhaps the best short walk option in the Park. It leads to an ideal vantage point for enjoying views of the rugged scenery, with magnificent perspectives of the castle below, Lough Veagh and the surrounding landscapes. This circular 1.5Km trail starts and ends at the castle, taking the path, taking from 50-60 min at a leisurely pace. The surface is good at all stages and steep for short distances. Follow the direction of the road behind the castle, taking the path uphill just outside the garden gates. The route is signposted from here. From the top of the path returns via the lower garden, passing through a wooded gully and into the gardens where the trail returns to the castle.
Lakeside Walk
Length: 3km
Time: 40mins
Terrain: A mostly flat gravel
path
The lakeside offers the walker a fine introduction to walking in Glenveagh National Park. It brings the walker through the glen from the visitor centre to Glenveagh castle and gardens. The walk begins at the bus shelter from where there is a fine view of the Glenveagh Valley and continues along the shores of Lough Veagh. It is possible to walk one way and return by bus by obtaining a ticket at the castle reception. A guidebook for this walk is available from the visitor centre.
Glen Walk
Length: 8km
Time: 2hrs
Terrain: A mostly flat dirt
road rising gently over last 3km
This walk is a natural extension of the lakeside walk. It follows the shortest and most easily negotiated natural route through the Derryveagh Mountains. However, before the glen road was built, the route was so rocky and densely wooded as to be virtually impassable. Old settlements, now derelict, and native oak woodland can be seen along the walk which offers spectacular views of Lough Veagh and the surrounding mountains. A guidebook for this walk is available from the visitor centre.
Lough Inshagh Walk
Length: 7km
Time: 1hr 30mins
Terrain: Stony dirt track
ending on a quiet tarred road
This pathway once connected Glenveagh Castle to the village of Churchill. The carriages of the Lough Swilly Railway brought visitors to the railway station. From here they were transported to Glenveagh Castle over the Lough Inshagh Road by pony and trap. Today the Lough Inshagh Path remains silent except for the occasional red deer browsing on the roadside vegetation or walkers enjoying the solitude and scenery. It is an excellent walk to explore the eastern side of the Park and brings the walker to the Glebe Gallery and St Colmcille’s birthplace in Gartan.
Hillwalking
Most of the Park is mountainous and is suitable for properly prepared hikers only. If you intend walking on the hills, please leave details of your planned route and expected time of return at the Visitor Centre.
Contact the park booking office for dates and full information at glenveaghbookings@environ.ie or Tel. 07491 37090 Xt 3609