Murder Hole Beach Donegal: Map, Directions + The Walk

You’ll find Boyeeghter Bay / Murder Hole Beach in Donegal on the Melmore Head Peninsula, not far from Downings.

What’s the story with the name?! Some say it’s coined from the dangerous rip tides while others attributed it to a woman’s fall from a cliff in the 1800s. 

You can’t drive to it but, thanks to a recent development, it’s now more easily accessible. You have 2 options:

• Option 1: The moderately tough hike from Tra na Rossan
• Option 2: Via the new path from the Murder Hole Beach parking area

About Murder Hole Beach in Donegal

As was the case with my guide to getting to Donegal’s secret waterfall, a visit to this beach comes with warnings. Take note of:

1. Location

Murder Hole Beach (aka Boyeeghter Bay) is located on the Melmore Head Peninsula close to Downings. It’s a 35-minute drive from Dunfanaghy, a 45-minute drive from both Letterkenny and Falcarragh and a 50-minute drive from Gweedore.

2. How to get to it

There’s two ways to get to Murder Hole Beach:

• The new trail: A steep and tough trail from the new car park at Melmore Head (25 mins each way)
• The trail from Tra na Rossan: Unmarked trail that takes 40 mins each way

3. Parking

There are 2 Murder Hole Beach car parks, depending on your route:

• Car park 1: Located here by the caravan site (costs €5 per car)
• Car park 2: Located here by Tra na Rossan Beach

4. Tide times

It’s important to check the Murder Hole Beach tide times in advance of visiting. At low tide, you will be able to walk a section of the beach that is normally blocked off by the ocean. If you visit at high tide, you’ll have less opportunity to ramble.

5. Warnings

• No swim zone: Swimming at Murder Hole Beach is not allowed due to dangerous rip tides
• Dogs: Dogs on/off leads are not allowed
• Kids: If you use the new car park, be vigilant – the campsite is popular with families and there’s a wall near the entrance that is a bit of a blind spot

How to get to Murder Hole Beach via the new trail

Getting to Murder Hole Beach in Donegal got a whole lot easier in 2022 thanks to the arrival of a new car park.

A new trail also opened that has made getting to the beach nice and straightforward. Aim for the car park here on Google Maps and then hit the trail.

How long it takes

It’ll take you 25 minutes to walk to Boyeeghter Bay from the car park, depending on pace.

So, you’re looking at around a 50-minute walk in total with around the same again spent admiring the beach.

Difficulty

You’ll need a moderate level of fitness for this walk as it’s pretty steep at the beginning and when you’re making your way back to the car park as it follows a very steep hill.

Due to the steepness and the rocky gravel, it’s not suitable for buggies or wheelchairs. 

The tides

Pay particular attention to my warning above about tide times. When high tide is en route, the waves can come from both the left and right of the beach.

This can result in walkers getting caught in a very dangerous situation! If in doubt, ask locally.

The cave

To the south section of the beach is a sea cave. The sea cave can ONLY be reached when the tide is low.

Please avoid at all costs if 1, you haven’t checked the tide times and 2, if you’re in any doubt. I can’t emphasise this enough.

Murder Hole Beach directions from Tra Na Rossan

In the Murder Hole Beach map above, you’ll see the two different ways to reach the beach, along with where to park.

The second access point is a good bit different, and requires a lot more effort.

Aim for the car park at Tra Na Rossan and then head across to the headland that I have marked above.

How long it takes

This trail takes around 40 minutes to 1 hour in total to reach the beach.

You’re looking at around 80 – 120 minutes of walking to and from the sand.

Difficulty

You’ll still need a moderate level of fitness to get to the beach from Tra Na Rossan.

You’ll follow a make shift trail from Tra Na Rossan that takes you up and around the hill to a point above Boyeeghter Bay.

Handy if you don’t want to hit the sand

When you reach the top of the hill, you’ll start to get some views of Murder Hole.

Now, you can head down to the sand if you like, or you can just kick back and soak up the arial views.

Places to visit nearby

One of the beauties of Murder Hole Beach is that it’s a short spin away from many of the best places to visit in Donegal.

Below, you’ll find a handful of things to see and do a stone’s throw from Boyeeghter Bay!

1. Parks, Castles and hikes (35-minute drive): Glenveagh National Park, Doe Castle, Ards Forest Park and Glenveagh Castle are all close by
2. Fanad Head Lighthouse (35-minute drive): A picture-perfect lighthouse that you can take a tour of
3. Portsalon Beach (40-minute drive): One of the most beautiful beaches in Donegal