Discover Ireland's finest walking

Explore wild coastlines and rugged mountain ranges

Ireland's North and North West has an unsurpassed quality and variety of scenery. There are hundreds of miles of wild and dramatic Atlantic coastline, and a beautiful interior of rugged mountain ranges, pastoral valleys, and quiet woodlands. Not surprisingly the walking experience reflects the character of the landscape, and it is difficult to think of many other destinations where you can experience this quality and variety in such a compact area.

The Causeway Coast and Glens region is famed internationally for its beauty. It's actually a perfect combination of two distinct areas: the verdant slopes and crumbling cliffs of the Glens of Antrim, and the majesty of the Causeway Coast with the world-famous Giant's Causeway at its heart. Walkers in the Glens of Antrim will want to head for the waterfalls and beautiful woodland glades of Glenariff, often referred to as the 'Queen of the Glens'. Using the waymarked trails of Glenariff Forest Park, you can walk loops ranging from 30 minutes to several hours in length.

The Causeway Coast is only 30 minutes drive from here, and for walkers really wanting to stretch their legs, the entire coast can be explored on the 3-day Causeway Coast Way between Ballycastle and Portstewart. The middle section is known as the North Antrim Cliff Path, a wonderful stretch of cliff-top walking managed by the National Trust. The combination of mouldering castles, sandy beaches, dizzying cliffs, and of course the Giant's Causeway itself make this a memorable day.

It's understandable that you might want to head straight for the delights of Donegal from here. But that would be a mistake. The countryside close to Derry and around the Sperrins in north Tyrone has plenty to offer. The prominent summit of Binevenagh, flanked by high basalt cliffs, is a favourite spot for hang-gliding and parascending. It's also great for walking, with fantastic views across Lough Foyle into Donegal. Nearby, the quiet riverside paths and woodlands of the Roe Valley Country Park offer a completely different, yet equally memorable experience. To the south, the Sperrin Mountains are a range of rounded yet proud summits stretching 30km from east to west. The hill-walking opportunities are vast, and there are great views and a real feeling of solitude. For walkers who want to stick to waymarked routes, the Sperrins Way allows you to explore the range's quiet valleys.

Donegal has a wealth of walking opportunities. Picture yourself on a lofty mountain peak, the Atlantic Ocean rolling in onto beaches and cliffs far below, while inland your eye can wander forever across a patchwork of fields, forests, lakes and mountain ridges. It sounds too good to be true, but this is the essence of the walking experience in Donegal. If you don't believe me then climb Slieve League, Europe's highest seacliffs and you'll discover these very same views. Likewise the exhilarating summit of Mount Errigal looks out across the wildly indented coastline of north Donegal. More adventurous walkers can challenge themselves in the nearby Derryveagh Mountains and on summits like Slieve Snaght, Dooish and Muckish, while the paths and tracks of Glenveagh National Park will suit walkers in search of a more recreational but equally scenic mountain experience. The entire coast of Donegal is a walker's paradise, with excellent walks including Fanad Head, Melmore Head, Ards and the entire stretch of coast between Slieve Tooey and Slieve League, focusing around the village of Glencolmcille.

As you move south into Yeat's Country and the counties of Sligo and Leitrim you can't help but notice the striking limestone cliffs thrusting proudly into the Atlantic breezes. The prow of Benbulben is foremost among them, accessed via a stiff ascent from Glencar. An equally scenic but much easier walk north of Benbulben brings you to the massive free-standing pinnacle known as Eagle's Rock. Or why not visit the tomb of Queen Maeve on the summit of Knocknarea, only ten minutes' drive from the vibrant heart of Sligo town.

Moving inland again, we enter the lakelands of counties Fermanagh, Cavan and Monaghan famous for their boating and fishing. The area has much to offer walkers, particularly on the sprawling massif of Cuilcagh Mountain, standing on the border between Fermanagh and Cavan. Walkers can climb to the summit from both sides, with the added attraction on the Fermanagh side of Cladagh Gorge, the Marble Arch Caves and the Florencecourt gardens and estate, which can all be linked together in a single walk. Just to the east in County Monaghan, walkers looking for easy loop walks in forest parks and quiet moorland settings will love the Slieve Beagh area.

By Gareth McCormack © 2006

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FURTHER INFORMATION
For further information on any of the items featured above, or on the county in general, please contact:

Fáilte Ireland North West
Aras Reddan
Temple Street
Sligo
Tel: 00353 (0) 7191 61201
Fax: 00353 (0) 719160360

Email:northwestinfo@failteireland.ie
Web: www.irelandnorthwest.ie

Causeway Coast & Glens
11 Lodge Road
Coleraine
BT52 1LU
Northern Ireland
Tel: 0044 (0) 28 7032 7720
Fax:0044 (0) 28 7032 7719

Email: mail@causewaycoastandglens.com
Web: www.causewaycoastandglens.com

Fermanagh Lakeland Tourism
Fermanagh Tourist Information Centre
Wellington Road
Enniskillen
BT74 7EF
Northern Ireland
Tel: 0044 (0) 28 6632 3110
Fax: 0044 (0) 28 6632 5511

Email: info@fermanaghlakelands.com
Web: www.findfermanagh.com

Derry Visitor and Convention Bureau
44 Foyle Street
Derry
BT48 6TE
Northern Ireland
Tel: 0044 (0) 28 7137 7577
Fax: 0044 (0) 28 7137 7992
Email: info@derryvisitor.com
Web: www.derryvisitor.com


Sperrins Tourism Ltd
The Manor House
30 High Street
Moneymore
BT70 45 7PD
Tel: 0044 (0)28 8674 7700
Fax: 0044 (0) 28 8674 7754
Email: info@sperrinstourism.com
Web: www.SperrinsTourism.com

Flavour of Tyrone
Killymaddy Tourist Information Centre
190 Ballygawley Road
Dungannon
Co. Tyrone BT70 1TF
Tel: 0044 (0)28 8776 7259
Fax: 0044 (0)28 8776 7911

Email: info@flavouroftyrone.com
Web: www.flavouroftyrone.com