How To Find Donegal’s Secret Waterfall (Parking, Route + Tide Times)

Getting to Donegal’s secret waterfall poses a serious risk to your safety, if you don’t plan your visit in advance.

The route along the coast to Largy Waterfall is extremely slippy and it’s crucial that you understand the tide times, or you could put yourself in grave danger.

It might sound like we’re being a bit overdramatic, but visiting the hidden waterfall in Donegal isn’t to be taken lightly and, if in doubt, stay well clear of it.

In the guide below, you’ll find info on everything from parking and the route to what you need to know about the tide times.

Some quick need-to-knows before visiting Donegal’s secret waterfall

Photo left: Shutterstock. Right: Google Maps

Unlike many of the places to visit in Donegal, Largy Waterfall (aka Slieve League Waterfall) comes with many warnings. Please take a moment to read the points below:

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, a short walk from the entrance to the secret waterfall in Donegal (here on Google Maps). As this is a popular spot, parking fills up quickly. Do not, under any circumstances, park anywhere other than the designated space at the viewpoint and NEVER park along the road outside of the designated area.

3. The route (warning 2)

The route to the waterfall is treacherous – you need to walk along rocks and it’s extremely slippy. Great care is needed here as is good mobility. We’ve heard of countless people that have fallen here and broken wrists and ankles so attempt this as your own risk. Shoes with good grip are needed. More info on getting to the waterfall below.

4. Tide times (warning 3)

ONLY visit Donegal’s secret waterfall if you are 100% confident that you understand how to read tide times (we’d recommend asking locally if you’re unsure). 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-tables in advance, you could easily be cut off by the incoming tide. And there’s no other way back.

5. Cracking coffee

There’s two spots for coffee near the entrance to the waterfall; there’s The Pod at Largy Viewpoint and Cookey’s Coffee (great iced coffee in summer!) near the entrance to the field. If you’re in doubt about the tide times, grab a coffee and ask the folks here for advice.

How to get to the hidden waterfall in Donegal

Photos via Shutterstock

Getting to the hidden waterfall in Donegal isn’t overly straightforward when you visit for the first time. There’s also (again, yes) several warnings to take note of.

The waterfall is in Largy, an area between the towns of Killybegs and Kilcar. Park in the designated area at Largy Viewpoint and then look down the road towards Cookey’s Coffee.

You need to head for a point past that. Care is needed as there’s no footpath and it’s a busy road.

Step 1: Getting to the gate / entrance point

Photo via Google Maps

Access to the secret waterfall in Donegal is via a private field (pictured above and located here on Google Maps).

Last summer, the owner of the field was granting access to people – there was three signs on the gate instructing people to keep dogs on a lead, to note that the land owners weren’t liable for injuries and to not sit or stand on the gate.

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

Photo via Google Maps

When you’re through the gate, it’s just under 500m to the coast. At this point, if you haven’t checked the tide times, please do so and take heed to the safety warnings above.

Here’s where the walk to the hidden waterfall in Donegal gets dangerous. You’ll need to walk around 350m 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

Photos via Shutterstock

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 Donegal’s secret waterfall if you don’t understand tide times.

Places to visit near the Largy Waterfall

Photo by Milosz Maslanka (Shutterstock)

One of the beauties of visiting the secret waterfall in Donegal is that there’s plenty of things to do and places to visit nearby.

Below, you’ll find a handful of places within a 35-minute drive of Donegal’s secret waterfall!

1. Slieve League Cliffs (25-minute drive)

Photos via Shutterstock

You’ll find the mighty Slieve League Cliffs a handy 25-minute spin back along the coast towards Donegal Town (there’s plenty of things to do in Donegal Town, too, and it’s only 30 minutes away).

2. Malin Beg (30-minute drive)

Photos via Shutterstock

The mighty Malin Beg / Silver Strand Beach is arguably one of the best beaches in Donegal. Head here, park up and soak up the stunning views from the grassy verge above. Maghera Beach (35-minute drive) is also worth a visit.

3. Assaranca Waterfall (30-minute drive)

Photos via Shutterstock

Assaranca Waterfall is a lot more accessible than the Largy Waterfall – in fact, you can drive right up next to it. It’s very impressive and the chances are you’ll have it all to yourself (see our Donegal waterfalls guide for more accessible falls).

4. Glengesh Pass (25-minute drive)

Photos via Shutterstock

The beautiful Glengesh Pass is arguably one of the most unique roads in Ireland. It’s a handy spin from the hidden waterfall and it’s well worth the trip (it’s also close to Ardara, where you’ll find plenty of places to eat).

Secret waterfall Donegal FAQs

We’ve had hundreds of emails asking about how to get to the Slieve League Waterfall / how to gauge the tide times.

We’ll pop in the most FAQs below, but fire away with any others you have in the comments section below.

Keith O'Hara

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.