Upcoming walking events around Co Donegal:
Please contact the walk leaders to confirm walks before travelling.
March 2012
23rd – 25th March
Irish Heart Foundation and the Irish Sports Council are subsidising the Walking Leader Training weekend and there is a nominal cost of €50 for the 2 and a half day non- residential course.
Walking Leader Training is primarily aimed at people wishing to lead a walking group or promote walking in the community or workplace. The course comprises of a weekend of training and then a follow up 4 week walking programme to try out your new walking leaders skills.
Download/View: Walking Leaders Information and Application Form
February 2012
MOUNT ERRIGAL TWEET-UP
The Mount Errigal Tweet-up will take place on the top of Mount Errigal at 751m in Donegal on the 26th of February 2012. We will be setting of from the car park at 12 noon. Tweet-ups started around the country last year, they were started by the SME community who are active on Twitter, it is basically a networking event that is arranged on twitter. People can look for sponsorship for the climb, the charity will be announced shortly. It is open to everyone and anyone, we will have a key note speech on top and people will be able to tweet during the climb and from the top, it will be Ireland’s highest tweet-up to date, so come along for a fun day out. We must point out that anyone who takes part does so at their own risk. There is also a facebook group people can join with more info just search for Errigal Tweet-up or search for the list @Carldiver/errigal-tweet-up
January 2012
Sliabh Liag Hillwalkers
Details of the next walk.
Sunday 29th January 2012
Commons School to Bavin.
Walk is on track.
Start Time: 12:00p.m
Car Pool: Bavin Quarry at 11.40p.m.
Meeting Point: Commons School Killybegs
Duration: 4hrs
Distance: 14 km
Contact Seamus: 0872118638
Cloghan Community to host Operation Transformation Walk 2012
The Cloghan Day Centre in Glenfin will be the headquarters of this year’s Operation Transformation Walk which takes place on the 14th January at 2.30pm. This event is organised locally by Donegal Sports Partnership to promote the benefits of physical activity to good health and positive lifestyles.
It links into the popular RTE series which showcases the efforts of 5 participants from across the country in their quest to reduce their body weight and improve their overall health. RTE and the Irish Sports Council through the local sports partnerships will organise a series of walks all across the country on the weekend of the 14th January.
The New Year always brings an increase in the level of participation and physical activity with many starting the year with an ambition to improve their lifestyle through increase levels of physical activity and exercise. The Operation Transformation Walk will give everyone an opportunity to begin the New Year with positive ambitions to improve their lifestyle with walks to suit all abilities. Everyone welcome.
Further information from Donegal Sports Partnership at info@activedonegal.com or 074 9116078 or 074 9116079
October 2011
National Trails Day 2011 set for Sunday 2nd October 2011 – Call for expressions of interest from Walking Clubs/Community Groups
NATIONAL TRAILS DAY is happening again this year on Sunday 2nd October. This is a day for promoting Ireland’s wonderful network of trails and for encouraging people young and old to come out for a walk, cycle or paddle in the great outdoors! Last year 186 events (including walking, cycling, water and educational events) were held across the country and it is hoped that we can break the 200 event mark this year!
The partners in National Trails Day are now asking individuals, agencies and organisations involved and interested in trails all over the country to consider organising an event this year. Events can include walking, cycling and equestrian events, guided canoe trips, family orienteering challenges, “Leave No Trace” hikes, trail conservation work, heritage walks and much more. If you have an idea for an event in your locality or county, check out the website www.nationaltrailsday.ie for some guidelines and when ready submit an event form online. If you wish to discuss an event idea please feel free to contact either
1. NTD Coordinator Carol Ryan info@nationaltrailsday.ie
2. City & County Local Sports
Partnership Coordinator (county LSP list available on www.irishsportscouncil.ie ) or
3. One of the staff within the
National Trails Office / Irish Sports Council nto@irishsportscouncil.ie
Thanks you for your cooperation with this initiative.
September 2011
Sliabh Liag Walking Weekend
Saturday 3 September 2011
Join us for a weekend of hill walking in the Slieve League (Sliabh Liag) Peninsula.
We are a small hill walking club, however, we have some fantastic guided mountain walks organised for the weekend.
Advanced Walk
…The Port to Glengesh walk is 22km long over coastal, mountains and rough moorland terrain, walking to Glenlough, Slievetooey and
Meenacurrin summits. Here you are just about ready to sit and admire the incredible views, get a good look at where you’ve just been and where
you want to go next. The walk continues comfortably downhill to the Lagunna, Lough Nalughraman, Croaghavehy and Glengesh.
Moderate Walk
The Straboy to Glengesh walk is 15km long, climbing Slievetooey and Meenacurrin and following the route of the longer walk to Glengesh and
returning on the bus to Port/Carrick.
Sunday 4 September 2011Advanced Walk.
Walking from Bunglass, Sliabh Liag to Malinbeg, 13km over mountain, rough moorland and coastal terrain, again with incredible cliffside and coastal views.
Moderate Walk
Walking from the cliffs of Bunglass, the beautiful Slieve League (Sliabh Liag) Mountain, down its rear slope on the landward side to Pilgrim
Path 7km over mountain, track and coastal pathways.
Family friendly local walks are available on the Saturday and Sunday from Carrick Carpark.
€5 reduction if registered for more than one walk. Bus transfers and refreshments are also provided.
Registration for all walks takes place in the Carrick Carpark at 9.00am Sat & Sun. The Carrick Carpark in situated at the top end of Carrick
Main Street.
So Come on everybody – lets get walking 
Sliabh Liag Walking weekend Brochure
July 2011
CLADDA Walking Festival & Wacky Races Weekend
Friday 15th July 2011 – Sunday 17th July 2011
Hosted by: C.L.A.D.D.A. (Cooladawson Local and District Development Association)
We have two 7k walks taking place:
A Walking Treasure Hunt on Friday 15th July 2011 @ 7pm – €3 entry fee
Walk to Steeple @ 10 am on Saturday 16th July 2011 – €5 registration fee
These are cross country walks through forestry and public roads with scenic views on route. We have participated in Donegal Walking week in previous years. Starting point for these walks are at Gort-Scith Picnic Area, Gortletteragh, Ballybofey, Co. Donegal (can be accessed via Golf Course road, Stranorlar).
All walkers welcome, could you pass this information to walkers in your clubs. Also see attached program of events for your information.
If you require any further information please do not hesitate to contact Selina Russell, CLADDA Secretary on 0872108431 or email. SRUSSELL@Donegalcoco.ie
Fanad Coastal Walk – Great Success
The first Fanad Coastal Walk in aid of the RNLI and Mountain Rescue was a great success with over 100 walkers, fantastic weather and beautiful photo shots. Fin and Evelyn would like to thank all the walkers, Stores Bar, Lighthouse Tavern, bus and car drivers, North West Mountaineering Club, those who sponsored the spot prizes, those who collected large sums of sponsorship money, girls who helped at registration, the marshals on route, land owners, those who provided refreshments on route and home baking and Tirchonaill Tribune for the printing. The event raised almost 4000 euro which will be presented to the RNLI and Mountain Rescue in the Lighthouse Tavern on Thursday 21st of July at 9.00pm. Everyone welcome.
CHURCHILL FAIR – DERRYVEAGH WALK.
As a lead up to the Churchill Fair (15-17 July), there will be a walk from Joe McConnells, Glendowan, Sunday 3rd JULY leaving 3pm.
Enjoy stunning scenery, fresh air & a little bit of history as you walk through the stunning Derryveagh Mountains, locality of the 1861 Evictions.
Please bring appropriate walking gear.
Followed by refreshments at Callaghan’s Bar, Churchill.
All welcome.
Proceeds to Churchill Fair/ Donegal Pet Rescue
For details/further info contact Kathleen on 074 91 37329
June 2011
Fanad Coastal Walk - Saturday 25 June 
Charity Walk in aid of the RNLI and Donegal Mountian Rescue Team. Registration at the Stores Bar, Portsalon from 7.30 am to 9.00 am. Bus departing 9.00 am to Ballywhoriskey Pier. Walk starts at 9.30 am. The walk will start at Ballywhoriskey pier and staying by the coast to Fanad Lighthouse, This part of the walk if mostly flat over beaches and headland and may be wet. We will stop for lunch at the Lighthouse Tavern. The walk will then continue round the east coast back to Portsalon. This part of the walk is over mountain, beaches, headland, crossing over main roads and a chance to get some great photos of the Great Arch. There will be five check points on route and three pull out points on route with transport back to Portsalon. Please wear suitable clothing and footwear. Bring backpack including lunch, water, small first aid kit, charged mobile phone, sun tan lotion (hopefully) and change of clothes can be left at Stores Bar. You will be able to purchase refreshments and snacks on route. Children under 15 must be accompanied by an adult. Registration fee 20 euro or sponsor cards available from O’Kanes General Store, Kerrykeel. For further information contact 0863826328 or 0868062579.
Harveys Point Bluestacks Challenge 2011 – Saturday June 18
This very popular Challenge (26miles/40km) to date
have raised €830,000 and People With Special Needs all over County Donegal have
benefited directly from the efforts of those who walked and contributed in
other ways to raise those funds. In 2011 there is a greater need than ever for
such funds and we once again appeal to everyone to support this very worthy
cause.
This year, the committee is appealing for help among
the Donegal Associations both at home and abroad. They also wish to invite ex
pat individuals to rise to the challenge of organising their own fund-raising
event in the hope of sending funds back home to help those most in need. Since the event on June 18th is finishing in
one of the country’s finest, family run hotel, a series of events are planned
for the day of the walk to create a family festival atmosphere in the Hotel grounds.
A great and memorable day is promised!
This years walk looks set to be the biggest and best
yet!
Anyone thinking of taking part should visit the web
site for the Harvey’s Point Bluestack Challenge which is www.hpbc.ie or telephone 074
9740828 or 087 1226612 for all the information they require. Latest date for
registration is May 27th. Register early as registration will close at 400
walkers – don’t be disappointed!
May 2011
Donegal Walking week (22nd to 29th May)
This years walk will take place from Sunday 22nd to Sunday 29th May, Please click here to see the poster.
Walking Information
Registration Application Form
Donegal Bluestack Walking Festival (29th April – 1st May 2011)
1st May - The Heart of the Bluestacks and Murvagh: (4 Walks – Strenuous, Moderate & Easy and a gentle stroll) Registration in the John Bosco’s Centre.
For further details contact: Anne Leonard, mob: 087 7844803 or Brian Boyle, mob: 087 7999216 or Email bluestackramblers@yahoo.co.uk or donegalwalkerswelcome@gmail.com
April 2011
Donegal Bluestack Walking Festival (29th April – 1st May 2011)
30th April – The East side of the Bluestacks. (2 Walks – Strenuous & Moderate) Both walks start at the Gap of Barnis.
For further details contact: Anne Leonard, mob: 087 7844803 or Brian Boyle, mob: 087 7999216 or Email bluestackramblers@yahoo.co.uk or donegalwalkerswelcome@gmail.com
Ballyliffin 10 Mile Coastal Challenge
The Ballyliffin 10 mile Coastal Challenge 2011 was launched in the Ballyliffin Lodge Friday night with an enthusiastic gathering welcomed by chairperson Cecil Doherty, accompanied by members of the local Development Committee and Inishowen AC. further information here.