The Inishowen 100: A Guide With Maps, The Best Stops + Itinerary

The Inishowen 100 drive (aka the Inishowen Peninsula Loop) is one of the most popular things to do in Donegal.

The route takes you around the magnificent Inishowen Peninsula to corners of the county that boast scenery that’ll knock you sideways.

In the guide below, you’ll find an Inishowen 100 map (one for the drive and one for the cycle) plus what to expect along the way.

Some quick need-to-knows about the Inishowen 100 drive and cycle

The Inishowen 100 route (Inis Eoghain 100 in Irish) can be tricky to follow at times. Take 20 seconds to read the bullet-points below as they’ll get you up-to-speed fast:

1. Start point

So, there is no one start point for the Inishowen 100 drive or cycle. You can start from where it is most convenient. However, if you do have the choice, it’s worth starting from Grianán of Aileach and then working up towards Buncrana in a clockwise direction.

2. Length/time

The Inishowen 100 route gets its name from its length – 100 long and lovely miles of coast, mountainous landscape and scenery. The minimum you’ll want to give yourself to do this route is 5 hours – the more time the better. If you follow the itinerary on the map at the end of this guide it’ll take you just over 1/2 a day.

3. The cycle

The Inishowen 100 cycle is tough going and you’ll need a high level of fitness to complete it (I’ve a Google Map below with the route). There’s a lot of steep ascents (Mamore Gap in particular) and the route is demanding, especially when the weather is poor.

4. Where to stay

There’s some great hotels in Inishowen to tackle this route from. Personally, I tend to stay in one of the hotels in Buncrana, usually The Gateway.

The Inishowen 100 route

Take 20 seconds to look over the Inishowen 100 map above.

It outlines a logical route that you can follow from start to finish.

It includes:

• Coffee/lunch stops
• Viewpoints many tend to miss
• The various things to do in Inishowen

1. Grianán of Aileach

Now, it’s worth noting that Grianán of Aileach isn’t a stop on the traditional Inishowen Peninsula Loop, but I think it’s worth adding in as it’s close by and the views are mighty.

You can drive right up to the car park and it’s a short stroll from there (2-3 minutes max).

It sits on an elevated site at the top of Greenan Mountain and it offers panoramic views.

Grianán was once the stronghold of the powerful Northern Uí Néill dynasty.

The fort now serves as a poignant reminder of Ireland’s ancient past.

2. Lisfannon Beach

Next up is Lisfannon Beach near the town of Buncrana.

Lisfannon Beach’s arcing boomerang shape rewards visitors with wonderful panoramas of the surrounding coastline.

Hop out here, suck down some fresh ocean air and then head off on your merry way.

3. Buncrana Beach and coffee

Buncrana Beach is another sandy stretch you’ll pass at the beginning of the route.

If you’re in need of a caffeine fix, head over to Tank and Skinny’s.

The beach here is a nice spot to stretch the legs before you get into the Inishowen 100 route and there’s some glorious views when the weathers fine.

4. Fort Dunree

Keep hugging the coast and continue towards Buncrana and then on to Dunree Head.

Situated on the western edge of the Inishowen peninsula, Dunree Fort is a coastal defence fortification that dates back to the early 19th century.

Originally constructed to protect Lough Swilly during the Napoleonic era, it is now a museum.

You can hop out for a saunter along the sand at Dunree Beach or walk along the cliffs around Dunree Fort.

5. Mamore Gap

From Dunree, the drive moves inland to arguably the most impressive stretch of the Inishowen 100 route – Mamore Gap.

The Mamore Gap is a twisty and narrow road that spins along the side of the beautiful Urris Hills.

There’s a ‘Discovery Point’ here (a handy place to stop and soak up the view).

You’ll catch some fine views as you start to descend towards Leenan (pictured above).

6. Glenevin Waterfall

As you continue out towards Tullagh Strand, you’ve the option to take a little detour (3-minute drive/6-minute cycle) to see Glenevin Waterfall.

There’s a 1 hour (30 minutes each way) walk to see a 40ft waterfall that’s nice and easy going.

I’ve been here a handful of times over the last couple of years and we had the whole place to ourselves on both occasions.

It’s easy to miss the car park here but you’ll see it plotted on our Inishowen 100 map.

7. Tullagh Strand

The picture-perfect Tullagh Strand is one of the more popular beaches in Donegal.

This is a horse-shoe-shaped beach that is watched over by the 250m-high Binnon Hill.

It stretches for a couple of km, so you’ve plenty of space to stroll if you need to stretch your legs.

8. Ballyliffin Beach/lunch

By the time you reach Ballyliffin Beach, you’ll have a good chunk of the Inishowen 100 drive / cycle complete.

At 2.5km in length, this is another good option for a stroll if you fancy one.

If you don’t and if you’re in need of a bit of lunch, nip into Nancy’s Barn in Ballyliffin – a great spot for a feed.

9. Doagh Famine Village

The Doagh Famine Village (note: they close for the winter) is well worth a visit.

Here you’ll get an insight into the story of Irish life from the Great Famine of the 1840s up until the present day.

Although it sounds like it might be grim (parts of it are!) the guide (basing this on several visits) adds in plenty of humour along the way.

Tours last from 35 to 45 minutes.

10. Five Finger Strand and Knockamany viewpoint

Head out towards Five Finger Strand next. Now, although you can’t swim here due to dangerous rip tides, you can take a walk up along its sand while admiring the views that surround you.

If you visit outside of the busy summer months, you’ll often have this place all to yourself. There’s no real car park, however, you just park up along the road leading to it.

When you leave Five Finger Strand head for the nearby Knockamany viewpoint (it’s plotted on our Inishowen 100 map below).

Although it looks like the photo above was snapped from a drone, this is literally the view you’ll be treated to from up here.

11. Malin Head

We’re off to the most northerly point in Ireland next – Malin Head (Banba’s Crown is actually the most northerly point here).

Malin is known the island over for its rugged landscape and its often wild conditions.

There’s a short, 50-minute walk you can do that’ll take you to many of the ‘main’ attractions, like the EIRE 80 sign.

Just keep in mind that it gets wild here.

12. Culdaff Beach

By the time you reach Culdaff Beach you’ll be on the home stretch of the Inishowen 100 cycle / drive.

This is a good point for a break if you need it. If you fancy a caffeine kick, head over to Cúl a’ Tí.

You can then ramble to the beach and soak up the views for a bit.

13. Kinnagoe Bay

Kinnagoe Bay is like something you’d expect to see in Southeast Asia.

It’s the resting place of the Armada shipwreck, which took place in 1588 and it’s a glorious spot on a fine day.

Be very careful when you’re driving down to the car park – the road down is extremely narrow and you might meet someone walking or driving in the opposite direction.

14. Magilligan Point View

You’ll come to Magilligan Point View shortly after leaving Kinnagoe Bay.

This is a Wild Atlantic Way discovery point located at an elevated site that provides magnificent views.

On a clear day, you’ll see the Magilligan Peninsula, Benone Beach and up along towards the Antrim Coast.

15. Stroove Beach + Inishowen Lighthouse

The final stop on the Inishowen Peninsula Loop is Stroove Beach and Lighthouse.

If you’re driving, you can start the Inishowen Head Walk from here, if you like.

Or, you can just park up and head for a ramble along the sand.

Although it gets busy during summer, it’s nice and quiet throughout the year.

An Inishowen 100 map for drivers

The Inishowen Peninsula map above contains a rough overview of the route to follow along with each of the ‘main’ attractions plotted.

Now, one of the beauties of the Inishowen drive is that many of the best bits are the places and views you stumble upon along on the way.

Take a minute to familiarise yourself with the route and then head off on your merry way.

An Inishowen 100 cycle route map

I’ve been asked a lot in the past to make an Inishowen 100 cycle route map, but I’ve only just added the one above to this guide.

Now, please keep in mind that this is a rough overview of the route – I’ve done my best to map it out as accurately as we could, but there may well be points where the route doesn’t match up.

When doing the Inishowen 100 cycle, please do take care and prepare adequately as it is a tough aul slog.