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Walking & Hiking


Glenveagh extends over 16,000 hectares of north Donegal, including the Derryveagh Mountains, the Poisoned Glen and part of Errigal Mountain. You have free access to roam from all points. Hill walking in Glenveagh can be challenging for novices, so explore our easy trails if you’re a beginner.

Look out for our Trail Walker Bus: it lets you leave your car in the Car Park and brings you to our best starting points.

Walking trails Guide

Glenveagh Trail Map

Glenveagh Walking Trails

 Walking TrailsDistanceApprox
Time
Grade

Hill Walking

TERRAIN: mountainous, suitable for properly prepared hikers only

Experienced hikers who are equipped for hill walking may venture beyond marked paths and trails in Glenveagh. Please plan and equip carefully. Leave details with family or friends of your planned route and expected time of return.

Visitor Centre


Person walking along trackway

Make the most of your visit with a stop at the Glenveagh Visitor Centre. Free, daily exhibitions on topics like National Parks in Ireland, the golden eagle reintroduction project and the Derryveagh Evictions, including short videos. Learn about Glenveagh’s history, heritage and conservation and speak with our guides for more information or advice.


Open:

09:15hrs – 17:30hrs

Dogs are not allowed in the Visitor Centre – except Service Dogs

Shuttle Bus Service

  • Bus to Castle: 9.30am
  • Last Bus from Visitor Centre: 4.30pm
  • Last Bus from Castle: 5.15pm

The Park Shuttle Bus runs from the Visitor Centre to the Castle and Gardens daily at regular intervals.

Tickets available in Visitor Centre and Castle reception. No service on Good Friday or during Christmas week.

Dogs are not allowed on the Shuttle Buses – except Service Dogs

Adult return – €3

Concession return – €2 (Children aged 7-18, students and anyone over 65)

Single – €1.50

Children – Free (6 and under)

The Walkers Bus

  • Saturdays & Sundays,
    all year
  • 10:00hrs from Visitor Centre

The Walkers Bus gives visitors the option of being dropped off at Lough Inshagh or the Glen Walk.

Tickets sold on a first come first served basis and seats cannot be booked in advance.

It is possible to book the Walkers’ bus privately (€5 per person). Contact glenveaghbookings@npws.gov.ie or call 01 539 3232.

Adult – €3

Concession – €2 (Children aged 7-18, students and anyone over 65)

Children – Free (6 and under)

Explore the Castle


Built between 1867 and 1873, Glenveagh Castle is a castellated mansion designed by John Townsend Trench. It is modelled on early Irish tower houses and has been built using local granite. The castle’s remote mountain setting was inspired by the Victorian idyll of a romantic highland retreat.

 

Castle Opening Times:

Castle opens at 9.45am & closes at 5.15pm
Last Castle Tour is 4.45pm

Castle Tour Prices:

Adult €7
Senior/Concession €5
Family €15
Children under six years are free

Tours: The Castle is open daily for Self Guided and some limited Guided Tours (except Wednesdays). A Castle Tour cannot be booked in advanced of your visit.

For more information please contact:

glenveaghbookings@npws.gov.ie or call 01 5393232

Gift Shop

Opening Times:

St Patrick’s Day to 31st October 10am – 5pm
Winter months weekends only

Dogs are not allowed in the Visitor Centre or Castle – except Service Dogs

Castle Tea Rooms: Open 7 days a week

Castle & Gardens Guide

Glenveagh Castle

Glenveagh Castle Virtual Tour


You can explore the beautiful Glenveagh Castle using our Virtual Tour.

You can enjoy the castle on a self-guided tour, with information available from the reception in a range on international languages, as well as in braille format. You can also download the tour booklet below for your own use while visiting.

A Tour of Glenveagh Castle

Cycling


We welcome cyclists to the park. To ensure everyone’s safety please watch out for other visitors on the paths and be aware of signs along the way.

Bikes are not permitted on the roads.
 

Grass Routes Bike Hire

Bike collection point is located near the bus shelter.

Prices shown below are for 3-hour bike hire. Longer rentals can be arranged if necessary. Booking of bikes is advisable. If you are planning on visiting Glenveagh regularly during the summer don’t forget to ask for a bike hire loyalty card.

For bike hire outside of these dates please contact Grassroutes directly on 087 6655599 or email info@grassroutes.ie For more information visit www.grassroutes.ie

Open (2023):

17 March – June – Weekends and Bank Holidays only
July – August – 7 Days a Week
Times – 10.00hrs – 17.00hrs

During the Easter period from Good Friday until Easter Monday.

Bike Hire prices:

Electric Bike Hire


(3hrs) €20

Regular Road Bike


(3hrs) €15

Kids Bikes & Buggies


(3hrs) €5

Ability Bike


Free



Lough Veagh

Fishing on Lough Veagh

Fishing season runs from 15 July–30 September each year. To apply for a permit and book your trip please contact Inland Fisheries Ireland at +353 (0) 74 95 51141 between 7:00AM – 1:00PM or visit their website for further details.

Donegal Angling

THE BIRCH TREE RESTAURANT

Open 7 days a week

TEA ROOMS

Open 7 days a week

There are multiple catering options at various locations throughout Glenveagh National Park, all serving delicious food in stunning surroundings.

The Birch Tree Restaurant is located in the Glenveagh Visitor Centre. Here you can relax and eat under one roof. Our 100-seat restaurant caters for cosy catch ups, large group gatherings (which can be booked in advance) or quick, takeaway options.

If you are a large group, touring or coach company we also offer large-scale catering options. Email us on thebirchtree54@gmail.com to find out more or make a booking.

Opening Hours for Summer 2024 are 10am – 5pm 7 days a week. Hot food until 4pm.

The Synge & Byrne operate the Castle Tea Rooms. Enjoy a range of hot and cold food, takeaway tea, coffee or a quick ‘pick me up’ as you explore our walking trails and gardens.

A trailer serving on-the-go ice cream, confectionery and drinks is located beside the tea rooms and is also operated by Synge and Byrne.

Opening Hours are 10am – 5pm, 7 days a week. Hot food until 4.45pm.

Drone

Photography

With its beautiful scenery and wildlife, Glenveagh National Park is a mecca for photographers. When taking photographs in the park please be aware of the wildlife and their habitats.
Nests may only be photographed or filmed under permit and licence and all commercial photography will require a permit.

Drones

You will need a permit to operate a drone in the park. Low flying aircraft and other objects (drones, kites, hang gliders, etc) are regulated within Glenveagh National Park. Helicopters are often used within the park for tasks including search and rescue operations and drones can interfere with this important work. All drone owners should read the Irish Aviation Authority’s Drones Q & A.

Commercial Filming

Glenveagh National Park and its surrounding areas have featured in various films and documentaries. Please note that all commercial filming requires a permit from our park Rangers. If you have any queries, please contact us.

Activities that require a permit

Many activities in Glenveagh National Park require a permit, including:

  • All large scale events (eg: sponsored walks and sporting events).
  • Special events including large picnics / parties
  • Commercial filming and commercial photography
  • Drones
  • Hang gliding & paragliding
  • Scuba diving
  • Gun dog trials
  • Horse riding

If an activity is not listed here, it does not mean that the activity is allowed.

If in doubt, please contact us.

How to apply for a permit

To apply for a permit please fill out the permit application form and return to our park Rangers. Provide as much detail as possible in your application including dates, locations, nature of your activity etc. Permit requests should be made at least seven days prior to the proposed event. Persons acting under permit must produce that permit on request for inspection by members of the park staff.
If you have any queries, contact us at glenveaghrangers@npws.gov.ie.

SEND BY POST:
Glenveagh National Park,               
Church Hill Rangers Office,
Letterkenny, Co. Donegal,
Ireland F92 P993

SEND BY EMAIL:
glenveaghrangers@npws.gov.ie.

Develop a greater understanding of conservation and care for nature

Camping

Glenveagh has no serviced camping or caravan sites, but if you’re planning a multi-day hiking trip and seeking a wilderness experience, you’re welcome to pitch camp as long as you follow the Wild Camping Code – that means no fires, careful siting of any catholes, and following guidelines for camping and washing up. Wilderness camping is the only sort permitted in the park. Read the full Wild Camping Code.

Wild Camping Code

01/

Camping within the Exclusion Zone is not permitted.

02/

Ensure your campsite is visually unobtrusive and that you leave it as you found it – or better.

03/

Move your tent after every second night so vegetation can recover.

04/

Take away your food waste and litter (even if it’s biodegradable). Animals and erosion can expose buried waste.


05/

Keep your soap and toothpaste at least 30 metres away from watercourses.

06/

When you wash dishes, do so 30 metres from water bodies, and strain and scatter your wastewater (never pour it into lakes, streams or rivers).

07/

Conduct yourselves in a manner that won’t disturb the local community, wildlife or other visitors.

08/

Alert staff if you are leaving a vehicle in the car park overnight.



Wild Camping Exclusion Zone