When planning a trip to Dungloe, you can choose from walks of very different lengths: a 2.1 km section of the Dungloe River Walk and the 65 km Slí na Rosann loop, which starts and ends in Dungloe. The town is also home to the annual Mary From Dungloe International Arts Festival and a historic church building. This gives visitors clear points of interest for both nature and culture.

Walks on different scales

The section of the Dungloe River Walk takes in the Dungloe River and Glenties Road. A purpose-built extension, the Cope Mountain Walk runs alongside the Cope Mountain area and follows the shore of Dungloe Lake. The Cope Mountain Walk offers long-distance views of the Thorr uplands in the southern parts of Gweedore. The named features along the walks therefore range from the river and road to the lakeshore and views of a more distant landscape.

Slí na Rosann is a much longer route option: the loop is 65 km long and both starts and ends in Dungloe. It is rated moderate, has a cumulative total ascent of 770 m and no significant climbs. Distance, elevation gain and difficulty describe different aspects of the loop. Compared with the 2.1 km section of the River Walk, this makes the different scales of the walks easy to identify when planning.

Festival and local history

The Mary From Dungloe International Arts Festival is a community-based festival held annually in Dungloe since 1967. If you want to plan your trip around the event, check the specific dates before booking. Another cultural point of interest is Ionad Teampall Chróine, the historic building officially known as St. Peter’s Church, which was built in 1853. Dungloe therefore brings together an annual event and a building with a clearly established historical date.

The Dungloe Community Tourist Office provides information about things to do in the area, as well as local and nationwide information on attractions, activities and events. If you want to include other topics in your plans in addition to the walks, its information covers both local and nationwide interests.

A distinct cultural attraction in County Donegal

In County Donegal, Donegal Castle offers a distinct historical focus. The castle was the personal stronghold of Red Hugh O’Donnell, Lord of Tír Conaill. Guided tours tell its story from the time of the Gaelic lords through the Plantation and its long period as a ruin to its recent restoration. Check tour availability before your trip. Donegal Castle offers illustrated treasure hunts for children.

When looking for a hotel in Dungloe, it helps to distinguish between local and county-wide interests: you can plan your stay around the walks, the festival or local history, and consider Donegal Castle as a separate cultural attraction in County Donegal.

Discover more destinations: Bundoran, Leabgarrow, Annagry, Bridge End, Derrybeg, Moville, Glendowan, Kindrohid

For the broader travel guide: County Donegal.