The vast majority of people should not attempt to get to the secret waterfall in Donegal.
Also known as Largy Waterfall, reaching this place along the coast near Killybegs poses a real risk to your safety if you don’t fully understand how to read tide times.
Throw in the fact that the walk along the coast is treacherous in places due to slippy stones (there have been many broken bones) and you start to understand why a visit here comes with risks.
Some need-to-knows before visiting the secret waterfall in Donegal
Unlike many of the places to visit in Donegal, Largy Waterfall (aka Slieve League Waterfall) comes with many need-to-knows:
1. Location
You’ll find the secret waterfall in Donegal on the Slieve League peninsula at Largy. It’s a 5-minute drive from Killybegs, a 10-minute drive from Carrick, a 20-minute drive from Glencolmcille and a 35-minute drive from Donegal Town.
2. Parking (warning 1)
There’s a tiny amount parking at Largy Viewpoint (here on Google Maps). If you arrive when the designated area is full, drive on – never park along the road outside of the designated area.
3. The walk to the gate (warning 2)
You’ll need to walk along a main road to reach the start of the trail down to the secret waterfall in Donegal. This is a busy road and there is no path. Please use caution.
4. The route along the coast (warning 3)
The route along the coast to Largy Waterfall is treacherous – you need to walk along rocks and it’s extremely slippy. Great care is needed here as is good mobility. I’ve heard of countless people that have fallen here and broken wrists and ankles. Shoes with good grip are needed.
5. Tide times (warning 4)
ONLY visit Donegal’s secret waterfall if you are 100% confident that you understand how to read tide times. It can only be accessed at low tide but, as John O’Hara mentions in the comments section, low tide varies greatly depending on day/time of year.
This waterfall is inside a cave. If you don’t check the tide times in advance, you could easily be cut off by the incoming tide. And there’s no other way back.
How to get to the hidden waterfall in Donegal
The map above shows how to get to the secret waterfall in Donegal from Largy Viewpoint.
The waterfall is in Largy, an area between the towns of Killybegs and Kilcar. Please take note of the points below.
Step 1: Getting to the gate / entrance point
Access to the secret waterfall in Donegal is via a private field (pictured above and located here on Google Maps).
This is a 5-minute walk down a main road with no paths, so be careful. You’ll see a sign that explains that the land owner isn’t liable for injuries.
When you visit, make sure that access is still being granted (check for the signs).
If so, make sure to close the gate behind you and take any rubbish you bring back home with you.
Step 2: The trail to the waterfall
When you’re through the gate, it’s 350m to the coast.
At this point, if you haven’t checked the tide times, please do so and take heed of my safety warnings.
Here’s where the walk to the hidden waterfall in Donegal gets dangerous. You’ll need to walk around 340m from the exit point of the field down along the coast.
There’s no path, you’re walking along rocks and it’s very slippy, so be vigilant with each step.
Step 3: Arriving at the waterfall
You’ll hear the waterfall before you see it. Depending on your pace, it should take 20 to 25 minutes to get to the waterfall from where you exit the field.
It’s especially impressive after heavy rainfall when the water thunders down onto the rocks below.
When you visit, please ensure to leave no trace behind you.
When you’ve finished, head back the way you came and make your way back to the parking area.
Again, as a final warning, please do not visit the Donegal secret waterfall if you don’t understand tide times.
Places to visit near Largy Waterfall
One of the beauties of visiting the secret waterfall in Ireland is that there’s plenty of things to do and places to visit nearby (including one of the most accessible Donegal waterfalls).
In my opinion, the best thing to do is to follow the road trip outline above. It’ll take you to:
- Slieve League Cliffs (25-minute drive): Some of the most impressive cliffs in Ireland
- Silver Strand Beach (30-minute drive): One of the most beautiful beaches in Donegal
- Waterfalls and Caves (30-minute drive): Assaranca Waterfall and Maghera Beach and Caves are well worth seeing
- Glengesh Pass (25-minute drive): A wonderful, bendy mountain road en route to Ardara
- Donegal Town (25-minute drive): Home to Donegal Castle and plenty of places to eat
Keith O’Hara has lived in Ireland for 35 years and has spent most of the last 10 creating what is now The Irish Road Trip guide. Over the years, the website has published thousands of meticulously researched Ireland travel guides, welcoming 30 million+ visitors along the way. In 2022, the Irish Road Trip team published the world’s largest collection of Irish Road Trip itineraries. Keith lives in Dublin with his dog Toby and finds writing in the 3rd person minus craic altogether.
Janice Doherty
Wednesday 17th of August 2022
Visiting the secret waterfall was a wonderful experience …a hidden gem in South West Donegal.
Carmel
Monday 15th of August 2022
This article is really useful and well written. Thank you!
Seán
Sunday 24th of April 2022
Just a tiny wee correction about the above information. In 'The Location' section, Largy is described as a village. It isn't: it's a townland; at most, it's a hamlet. So there isn't any official road-sign letting you know that you have arrived at Largy.
John O'Hara
Tuesday 5th of October 2021
Hi, I visit there last saturday at low tide but unfortunately it was during a medium tide. Tides changes every 2 weeks and this location must be very tide dependant. Best time would be on the spring tide or at its peak of the ties duting this 2 weeks. The spring tide maybe -0.5m at low tide and +3.5m at high tide but when we arrived at low tide it was 1.5m. So check the Low tide. ensure its 0.5m or lower. We didn't get to visit the waterfall during the 1.5m meter, it is extremely dangerous and impossible at this 1.5m. We will have to arrange a revisit. If you plan on visiting please check the Tide table and check the Level of the Low tide. Low tide will be safest at 0.5m Low tide or lower, i maybe wrong in that but beware of the height of the low tide.
Denise
Thursday 30th of September 2021
A tale of warning. I recently attempted to visit this waterfall at low tide... I was almost there when I slipped on one of the rocks and badly broke my R forearm. 4 hours of surgery, 14 metal screws a large plate later I am facing the prospect of months out of work. I would NOT recommend visiting the waterfall. It is EXTREMELY dangerous.