The trusted voice that guides you on your journey.
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.
Glenveagh Walking Trails
| Walking Trails | |
|---|---|
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
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)
Nature Events & Guided Walks
Fun and interactive walks and events for all ages take place throughout the year, and we also host special seasonal events. Our events, and our supporting displays around the park, are focused on teaching visitors about the park and its wildlife and how they can protect it.
See what events are currently running or check out our social media feeds for more information.
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 – 10am to 4pm
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.
Visit the Castle Gardens
Castle Garden Walks
The castle gardens are open all year and feature signposted trails and paths throughout. Due to conservation and safety measures, access to the garden yard, the nursery area and the 67 Steps are restricted.
Self-guiding trail
Gardener-led walks
Guided walks
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.
Electric Bike Hire
(3hrs) €20
Regular Road Bike
(3hrs) €15
Kids Bikes & Buggies
(3hrs) €5
Ability Bike
Free
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.
THE RESTAURANT
Closed for the season
TEA ROOMS
Open 7 days a week – 10am to 4pm
There are multiple catering options at various locations throughout Glenveagh National Park, all serving delicious food in stunning surroundings.
The Restaurant is located in the Glenveagh Visitor Centre and is currently closed for the season.
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.
Opening Hours are 10am – 4pm, 7 days a week.
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.
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.
