Extract from 'Hill Walkers Donegal'

© David Herman, Shanksmare Publications

(Published 1995, ISBN 0 9514547 3 0 IR£3.50/ £3.95 Stg.)

ERRIGAL

Probably the most recognisable peak in Ireland. Errigal is a graceful. almost perfect quartzite cone. its sides falling in white and grey scree slopes hundreds of metres to undulating moorland. At 751 m it is the highest peak in Donegal and so a worthy goal. The only easy approach is from the east side. This gives an easy up and down walk: to make a convincing circuit requires a little more effort.

Getting There: The start, which is about 12 miles ( 19km) south-west of Creeslough and 15 miles (24km) north-east of Dunglow, is at an intermittent path off the R251 (at GR 947199). This point is 0.5 miles (0.8km) west of the gate pillar for Altan Farm (easily missed!) and 1.6 miles (2.6km) east of the side turn right (as you drive east) signed 'Poisoned Glen'. There are several other places along the road west of the Altan Farm pillar where you can park and which are almost equally good starting points. If you are staying at Errigal youth hostel and have no transport, the path starting nearly 3km east of the hostel is more convenient. but make sure you find the one and only path through the scree slopes to the summit.

Walking Time: 4.5 hours (distance 8km, c1imb 680m). An up and down to the summit of Errigal should take about 2.5 hours, but the descent time may vary greatly, as some people can hop quickly down loose rock, while others must take it very slowly.

Difficulties: Some boggy ground before and after the path through scree on Errigal. Navigation is simple on the Errigal section of the route but thereafter more difficult with some scree slopes to avoid.

Map: 1 :50 000 sheet 1, though half-inch sheet 1 or the National Park one inch map will do.

Route: Walk the intermittent path directly uphill over boggy ground. keeping a watch for a set of stout fence P4)Sts which marks the start of the path through scree over the eastern spur of the mountain. Once on this path keep to it (easy, as there is no alternative), noting the two cairns on the right of the path marking the point where you must divert to Mackoght if you intend to walk the entire route.

The stony path takes you into a terrain of extensive scree slopes dropping straight from the summit. It's a simple vertigo-free progress; within 5- 10 minutes of its end you attain the crest of the ridge where the path is marked by a set of cairns, into one of which is set the Joey Glover memorial ( 1 ).

The summit. probably the smallest Ireland, consists of two tiny peaks about 30m apart. joined by a narrow ridge. It is a superb viewpoint. with the mountain's surrounds seemingly at your feet and much of Donegal and beyond within view. Slieve Snaght. the huge dome to the south, and the great line of hills stretching to Muckish are the most prominent, but on good days you can easily recognise Benbulbin in Sligo. Retrace your steps from the summit to the two cairns noted earlier and then. with a strange area of small rocky drumlins (2) on the left, follow a rocky ridge directly to Mackoght (555m. over 1600ft). In bad weather this is a difficult summit to find, as it has a few rocky high points. each with a cairn. However what is unmistakable are the steep scree slopes along its northern side. Carefully avoiding these. descend initially east and then c1imb north to the undistinguished Breaghy (395m, over 1200ft), watching out for the scree slopes on its northern side. Breaghy's one attraction is the excellent view it offers over Altan Lough. with the Aghlas towering behind.

From Breaghy descend east to reach a wide and soggy track after less than a kilometre. Turn right onto it to cross moorland and reach the R251. where a right turn will take you to car or hostel.

Longer Variation: From Breaghy it is easy to descend to the castle ruins at Altan Lough and a good deal less easy to c1imb Aghla More (4.25 hours). Total walking time 6 hours (distance 13km, c1imb 1340m).

Notes ( 1 ) The Joey Glover Memorial: Though the plaque does not say so. Joey Glover was murdered by the IRA in one of their many .'mistakes'.(2) These appear to be drumlins. and so formed by the passage of ice. Drumlins however are normally of soil, not stones as these are.