Best trails in Glenveagh National Park
Want to find the best trails in Glenveagh National Park for an adventurous hike or a family trip? AllTrails has 12 great trails for hiking and walking and more. Enjoy hand-curated trail maps, along with reviews and photos from nature lovers like you.
Ready for your next hike or bike ride? Explore one of 2 easy hiking trails in Glenveagh National Park that are great for the whole family. Looking for a more strenuous hike? We've got you covered, with trails ranging from 141 to 4,983 feet in elevation gain. Whatever you have planned for the day, you can find the perfect trail for your next trip to Glenveagh National Park.
Top picks recommended by trailgoers
1
(305)
•Easy
•4.5 mi
•Est. 1h 42m
Enjoy beautiful views as you wind your way beside Logh Veagh to Glenveagh Castle and Gardens. You will find a beautiful mix of mature Austrian Pines and natural broadleaf trees including Holly, Rowan, and Birch along the path.
You will also pass the Owencarrow River where you can keep an eye out for the otters. Beyond the river, the route leads to a more open landscape of bog and wet heath typical of Glenveagh and the west of Ireland. These are wet peatland environments with a diversity of...
2
(85)
•Hard
•13.9 mi
•Est. 5h 45m
Take an unforgettable walk through one of Ireland's most spectacular glens. This easy, gentle trail follows the shore of Lough Veagh on a well-made path, with dramatic, steep mountainsides plunging down into the dark water. You'll pass through the grounds of the stunning Glenveagh Castle, a 19th-century mansion with magnificent gardens that are an oasis in the surrounding wilderness.
3
(67)
•Moderate
•9.3 mi
•Est. 3h 58m
Glenveagh is one of the largest and most beautiful parks in the country. If you ever visit Ireland, this spectacular place is a must. It's got nature, lakes, wildlife, fauna and flora, and of course the enchanting castle. This trail is easygoing and suitable for most ages and fitness levels. Make sure not to pass on this Donegal treasure!
4
(29)
•Moderate
•1.2 mi
•Est. 41m
Glenveagh Castle is one of Donegal's gems. The trail up to the viewpoint is quite steep in places, but not too long. The view is well worth the effort. The path along the lake is easygoing and relatively flat so it's suitable for all ages and fitness levels. This trail is an easier option to enjoy than the more challenging hikes in this area. There is also a lovely restaurant, gift shop, and some gorgeous gardens to explore.
5
(67)
•Hard
•10.1 mi
•Est. 4h 25m
This lovely trail through the hills of Glenveagh starts at the Visitors Centre and visits the birthplace of Saint Colmcille. This trail is a well-maintained path with plenty of benches along the way to have a break and enjoy some refreshments. There are lovely views of Muckish in front of you and Lough Gartan behind.
8
(25)
•Moderate
•4.9 mi
Take a hike to the top of imposing peaks in Derryveagh Mountains. Start from a modest parking place at the beginning of the trail and venture beyond marked paths.
As you traverse the route, you may encounter numerous undercover waterways. The streams flow down from the mountains, which are overgrown and easy to stumble upon.
Before embarking into the mountains, please plan and equip carefully. Be sure to check the weather and download the offline map.
This route is best attempted in good...
9
(21)
•Moderate
•2.4 mi
•Est. 2h 3m
Dooish is the highest point of the peaks beside Lough Beagh. Its slopes are boggy and steep but the summit is rocky and a pleasure to walk. This route is a short walk distance-wise, but Dooish makes you work right from the beginning as you are straight onto boggy ground as soon as you leave the roadside. It's a challenging route but it offers spectacular views. If you are into wildlife, Dooish is a great one to climb. Make sure to watch out for golden eagles. Appropriate footwear is highly...
10
(13)
•Hard
•10.1 mi
This loop is not for the faint-hearted. The ground is uneven and boggy throughout so make sure to come prepared with proper gear and appropriate footwear. This route is off-trail and may not be well signposted so downloading the offline map before setting out is advised. Some sections of this route are rather challenging yet well worth the effort for the spectacular scenery. It takes in a variety of sights and terrains as you make your way around.
Showing results 1–10 of 12
Trail reviews for Glenveagh National Park
I think everyone should visit glenveah national park. I've done a few walks there now and love the place. It has everything from the castle to the mountains and lakeside walks. Scenery fantastic. Meant to add that 4k is not correct for this walk, mobile connections can be dodgy around glenveagh.
Parking: Free
Parks
Headed to a park?
Take AllTrails with you
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to hike in Glenveagh National Park?
According to users from AllTrails.com, the best place to hike in Glenveagh National Park is Lakeside Walk, which has a 4.6 star rating from 305 reviews. This trail is 4.5 mi long with an elevation gain of 400 ft.
What is the longest trail in Glenveagh National Park?
According to AllTrails.com, the longest trail in Glenveagh National Park is Poisoned Glen - Muckish Road via Dunlewy Church of Ireland. This trail is estimated to be 15.6 mi long.
How many trails are in Glenveagh National Park?
There are 12 trails in Glenveagh National Park. These trails have an average 4.1-star rating from 706 AllTrails community reviews.
Which trail has the most elevation gain in Glenveagh National Park?
If you're looking for elevation gain, Glenveagh National Park has you covered. Poisoned Glen - Muckish Road via Dunlewy Church of Ireland boasts the most elevation gain with 4,983 ft of total ascent. The park's runner-up is The Poisoned Glen Loop, which will get you 2,992 ft of elevation gain.
Are there camping trails available in Glenveagh National Park?
According to AllTrails.com, there is 1 camping trail in Glenveagh National Park which is Poisoned Glen - Muckish Road via Dunlewy Church of Ireland with an average 3.0 star rating from 4 community reviews.
Are there running trails available in Glenveagh National Park?
According to AllTrails.com, there are 10 running trails in Glenveagh National Park and the most popular is Lakeside Walk with an average 4.6 star rating from 305 community reviews.
Are there biking trails available in Glenveagh National Park?
According to AllTrails.com, there is 1 biking trail in Glenveagh National Park which is Poisoned Glen - Muckish Road via Dunlewy Church of Ireland with an average 3.0 star rating from 4 community reviews.
Are there any trails with scenic mountain peak views in Glenveagh National Park?
Yes, there are 6 trails with scenic mountain peak views in Glenveagh National Park, including Glenveagh View Point Trail, Crockfadda East Top and Crockballaghgeeha Loop, Dooish Mountain | An Dubhais, The Poisoned Glen Loop, and Poisoned Glen - Muckish Road via Dunlewy Church of Ireland.
Are there any trails with lakes in Glenveagh National Park?
Yes, there are 9 trails with lakes in Glenveagh National Park, including Lakeside Walk, Lakeside Walk, Glen Walk, and Glenveagh Castle, Glen (Bridle Path) Walk, Glenveagh View Point Trail, and Lough Inshagh Walk.
Are there any trails with castles in Glenveagh National Park?
Yes, there are 5 trails with castles in Glenveagh National Park, including Lakeside Walk, Lakeside Walk, Glen Walk, and Glenveagh Castle, Glen (Bridle Path) Walk, Glenveagh View Point Trail, and Glenveagh Castle and Lough Inshagh.
Are there any trails with scenic viewpoints in Glenveagh National Park?
Yes, there are 3 trails with scenic viewpoints in Glenveagh National Park, including Lakeside Walk, Glen Walk, and Glenveagh Castle, Glen (Bridle Path) Walk, and Glenveagh View Point Trail.
Points of interest
- Errigal
- Glenveagh Castle
- Lough Veagh
- Dooish
- Staghall Mountain
- Crocknafarragh
- Rose Garden
- Viewing point
- Lough Slievesnaght
- Grogan More
- Lough Alcahan
- Mullincrick Lough
- Crockballaghgeeha
- Croaghnassaggart
- Drumnalifferny Mountain
- Crockfadda East Top
- Drumnalifferny Far NE Top
- Drumnalifferny Mountain NE Top
- Crockfadda
- Saggartnadooish