The Slieve League Peninsula Road Trip

The Slieve League Peninsula Road Trip is a 1-day, scenery-packed route that takes in some of Donegal’s top attractions.

This itinerary is an extended version of day 1 from my main Donegal road trip guide.

Here’s some key info:

• Start/finish: Donegal Town or Ardara
• Distance covered: From 111-149km depending on start point
• Drive time: From 3-3.5 hours depending on start point
• Attractions: Malin Beg, Slieve League Cliffs, Caves of Maghera and more

An overview of the Slieve League Peninsula road trip

It’s worth taking 30 seconds to scan the points below as they’ll save you time in the long run!

1. Start/finish points

While you can start from anywhere, if I had the choice, I’d begin from Ardara as it’s a shorter spin. You can begin from Donegal Town, too.

2. Distance covered

Drive time/distance covered will depend on your start point:

• From Donegal Town: This route takes 3 hours and 15 minutes/149km
• From Ardara: This route takes 2 hours and 45 minutes/111km

3. How long you need

This road trip can be completed in 1 busy yet highly rewarding day during the longer daylight hours of the year. It’s best to start early, around 8 or 9 a.m. Tip: To make it more doable time-wise, only visit the viewpoint at Largy Waterfall

4. The doubling back for Glengesh

For both of the routes linked above and the one outlined below, you’ll notice some doubling back is required around the Maghera Beach/Glengesh section. This is because Glengesh is far more impressive when you drive from the Glencolumbkille side towards Ardara. The doubling back takes a maximum of 20 minutes, and it’s well worth it.

5. Why I like this route

Arguably the best thing about this road trip is that, while you take in countless attractions, the max driving time is just 35 minutes. The drive time between most of the attractions is under 15 minutes.

Each stop on the Slieve League road trip

Take 20 seconds to review the map above as it’ll give you the lay-of-the-land nice and quickly.

I’m going to outline the route from Donegal Town below, but you can adjust it however you see fit. Cheers.

1. Killybegs

Killybegs is the largest fishing port in Ireland and the town makes a great pitstop for this road trip.

Now, you have several options here, depending on what tickles your fancy:

• Option 1: Grab coffee or breakfast from Mrs B’s
• Option 2: Take the 3-hour boat tour that sails below Slieve League
• Option 3: Explore the town on foot with the 1¾ hour Killybegs Walk and Talk Tour

If you choose option 2 and you only have 1 day for this road trip, sub out stops 3 and 5.

Drive time: The spin from Ardara to Killybegs takes 20 minutes while the drive from Donegal Town to Killybegs takes 25 minutes

2. Fintra Beach

There are some mighty beaches in Donegal and the glorious Fintra Beach is up there with the best of them.

A stone’s throw from Killybegs, Fintra Beach stretches for 1km and it’s known for it’s golden sand and clear waters.

As you saunter along the sand, keep an eye out for Muckross Head, which you’ll be visiting shortly.

Drive time: The spin from Killybegs to Fintra Beach takes 5 minutes

3. Largy Waterfall

So, a warning first – 95% of people should not visit the secret waterfall in Donegal, as it isn’t safe for them to do so.

The only people that should visit are those who are 100% confident in reading tide times.

This area is completely exposed and there’s a very real risk to your safety. This is the last place you want to be when the tide comes in as there is no way of escaping it.

It takes 25 minutes to walk to the waterfall across very slippy stones. However, once you understand the tide times, it’s worth it.

If you don’t want to visit the waterfall, it’s still worth stopping at the Largy Viewpoint as the views across to Drumanoo and on towards Bundoran are sensational.

Drive time: The spin from Fintra Beach to the Largy Viewpoint takes 5 minutes

4. Muckross Head

One of my favourite viewpoints on the Slieve League Peninsula can be found here on Google Maps.

There’s a small pull-in area (look out for the bronze Wild Atlantic Way discovery point) where you can stop and hop out of the car.

What’ll greet you is a view that many tend to miss.

The first thing that draws your eye is the contrast between the golden sand at Muckross Beach and the brilliant blue waters.

Your eye is then drawn around the gorgeous greens of Muckross Head and the craggy cliffs beneath you.

Drive time: The spin from Largy Viewpoint to the Muckross Head Viewpoint takes 10 minutes

5. Slieve League Cliffs

The Slieve League Cliffs are one of the most popular places to visit in Donegal for good reason, and they’re the highlight on this road trip.

Now, there’s some key info to be aware of as the manner in which you get to them changes by the tourist season:

The off season: 

• Option 1: You can take the steep, 6-minute drive right up to the viewing platform
• Option 2: You can park here and take the steep, 30-minute walk (it’s relatively uneventful)

Peak summer season: 

• Option 1: You can park here and walk the 30 minutes to the top
• Option 2: You can take the shuttle from the visitor centre
• Note: You can only drive to the top at this time of year if you have limited mobility

Drive time: The spin from the Muckross Head Viewpoint to the Slieve League Car Park takes 20 minutes while the drive up to the viewing platform takes 25 minutes

6. Malin Beg Beach

Malin Beg Beach is arguably one of the best beaches in Ireland and you’ll find it at the tip of the Slieve League Peninsula.

Rugged, horseshoe-shaped cliffs encircle golden sands and turquoise waters, evoking the allure of a tropical Asian beach rather than one in Ireland.

To reach it, you’ll need to navigate 174 steps down to the sand, which will be a challenge for those with limited mobility.

However, fear not, as the car park offers a breathtaking aerial view of this hidden gem.

Drive time: The spin from Slieve League to Malin Beg takes 25 minutes

7. Glencolumbkille

Glencolmcille is a tiny, and very scenic, Gaeltacht (Irish speaking area) on the Sliabh Liag Peninsula.

It’s going to make the perfect stop for lunch – personally, I always stop at either An Chistin @ Cook’s Pantry or Cafe Blasta.

When your bellies full, here are some things to see/do:

• Option 1: Glencolumbcille Folk Village (embark on a journey through life in Donegal during the 18th-20th centuries)
• Option 2: See the cliffs from afar on this road

Drive time: The spin from Malin Beg to Glencolumbkille takes 10 minutes

8. Maghera Beach and Caves

One of the final stops on this Slieve League Peninsula road trip is the magnificent Maghera Beach and Caves.

There’s a little car park (you’ll need €4 cash) at the entrance and then it’s around a 15-minute walk to the sand.

Although the water here may look inviting, this is a no-swim zone due to the very dangerous rip tide that’s present.

There’s caves to the left after you enter (only enter when the tide is out – care needed) and the cliffs that loom over the beach set the scene for a very memorable stroll.

Drive time: The spin from Glencolumbkille to Maghera Beach takes 35 minutes

9. Assaranca Waterfall

Less than a 5-minute drive from Maghera is one of the most impressive waterfalls in Donegal – the very accessible Assaranca Waterfall.

You can literally drive within feet of it, which is handy if you/one of your party has limited mobility.

Although it’s at its most impressive after heavy rainfall, Assaranca is impressive regardless of the weather.

Drive time: The spin from Maghera Beach to Assaranca takes 5 minutes

10. Glengesh Pass

The final stop on this Slieve League Peninsula road trip is Glengesh Pass, but please take note of the below.

If you stick ‘Glengesh Pass’ into Google Maps when you leave Assaranca, it’s going to bring you towards Ardara and then back up through Glengesh.

The most impressive way to drive through the pass is from the Glencolmcille side. The handiest thing to do is to enter ‘Owenwee River Waterfalls’ into Maps and then head for Glengesh from there.

Glengesh is a high mountain pass that snakes its way through the Glengesh and Mulmosog mountains, making for a very enjoyable drive.

Drive time: The spin from Assaranca to Glengesh takes 25 minutes while the drive from Glengesh to Ardara takes 10 and the drive from Glengesh to Donegal Town takes 35

Explore beyond the Slieve League Peninsula

Now that you’ve explored the Slieve League Peninsula, it’s time to see what else Donegal has to offer:

• Key attractions: The Inishowen 100, Boyeeghter Bay, Malin Head, Arranmore Island and Fanad Lighthouse
• Beaches: Narin Strand, Carrickfinn, Kinnagoe Bay and Portsalon Beach
• Places to stay: See my guide to the best hotels in Donegal