Glenveagh National Park — Lough Veagh Shoreline Trailhead and Glen Staging

Glenveagh is wild Donegal at its most cinematic — a 14-mile long glacial valley with Lough Veagh at its floor, flanked by heather and blanket bog rising to the Derryveagh quartzite ridges. The visitor centre near Church Hill serves as the staging point, with a shuttle running to Glenveagh Castle further into the glen. Trailheads here access the Errigal and Slieve Snaght approaches, and the glen walk along the lough shore is one of Ireland’s finest flat valley routes. Red deer graze the valley openly. The park gets busy in July and August — arrive early or come in May or September for breathing room.

The approach from Letterkenny on the R251 is straightforward tarmac. No overnight camping permitted within the park boundary — use the Dunlewey or Falcarragh area for dispersed stays. The visitor centre has toilets, a café, and maps. No fuel inside the park — fill up in Letterkenny or Dunfanaghy before heading in.

Glacial glen, wild deer, and Donegal quartzite.