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Donegal & the Northwest: Route Guide

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Slieve League cliffs Donegal — Donegal & the Northwest
Photo: Joli Rumi · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

A self-drive journey from Sligo into County Donegal, pairing Sliabh Liag's Atlantic cliffs with Donegal Castle, Glenveagh National Park and the Inishowen coast to Malin Head. It uses conservative road allowances and keeps exposed walks, castle access and park services subject to the day's conditions.

Donegal & the Northwest is a 255 km one-way journey (self-drive). It works best as 4–6 days; the plan below is the 5-day version for June, built from 132 verified places, with planned transit times, opening hours and daylight checked.

4–6
days
255km
distance
4
Stops
132
curated stops

Plan your own version → 4-day plan · 5-day plan · 6-day plan · best time to go

The route

Sligo→ 65 kmDonegal Town & Sliabh Liag→ 50 kmLetterkenny & Glenveagh→ 25 kmBuncrana & Inishowen

What you'll see

Glencar Lough
Enjoy the scenic lake and trail leading up Benbulbin.
Sligo
Donegal Castle
Discover the remnants of a substantial stone castle erected in 1474.
Donegal Town & Sliabh Liag
Glebe House & Gallery
Stroll through a Regency house filled with art and beautiful gardens.
Letterkenny & Glenveagh
Inch Island
Walk an 8-km loop path along the shore and enjoy birdlife.
Buncrana & Inishowen
Parke's Castle
Explore this 17th-century fortified manor house across the border.
Sligo
Lough Eske
Enjoy the scenic views of Lough Eske surrounded by Bluestack Mountains.
Donegal Town & Sliabh Liag
Glenveagh National Park
Tour a grand mansion and wander its vast gardens and grounds.
Letterkenny & Glenveagh
St Mura's
Visit a Church of Ireland church with monastery ruins in its graveyard.
Buncrana & Inishowen

Choose your length

4-day plan21 stops · 12.7 h transit5.2 stops/day · 3.2 h transit/daySee the full plan →5-day plan26 stops · 13.3 h transit5.2 stops/day · 2.7 h transit/daySee the full plan →6-day plan31 stops · 17.3 h transit5.2 stops/day · 2.9 h transit/daySee the full plan →

When to go

Best months: May, June, July, August, September

Longer daylight gives the most margin for the coast, Glenveagh and Inishowen, but wind, rain, visibility, parking and shuttle access still need a live check.

See the month-by-month breakdown →

Similar journeys

Plan your own version →