Slieve League Hike

Slieve League otherwise knowing ‘Grey Mountain’ sits in the far south west corner of Donegal and dominates the corner skyline of Donegal Bay. The mountain often mistakenly famed for been the highest sea cliffs in Europe, actually ranks in at number 5 on the list however it does claim bragging rights of been 3 times higher than the more famous sea cliffs in Co Clare, and in geological age host some of Ireland’s oldest rocks. Our day begins at Bunglas which overlooks the famous cliff face, here we take a quick visit to the Napoleonic Tower, built during the English occupation of Ireland to keep lookout for Napoleons forces. Have you fill of stunning sight from the viewing points here before we make our way along the trail by the cliff edge rising steeply up to our first stop at the Eagles Nest which overlooks Bunglas and our start point now in the distance, now getting smaller to the eye. The rock formation known as The Giants Desk and Chair can be seen far below as well as the tiny (but really large) viewing boats dare to creep closer to the cliff base below our feet. From the nest we gradually continue up the cliff edge as our trail fades away becoming open mountain which we traverse to the south summit where views of the mind-boggling scale of the cliff face can be seen in full. Enjoy lunch before here before we make our way over the famous ‘One Mans Pass’ to the true summit of Slieve League. This airy traverse is more daunting in name than actual fact and is easily manageable by most hikers. Reaching the summit we rejoice and enjoy the views that stretch all the way to Sligo and Mayo in this true 360 degree vista, the summit push is topped off with a visit to the rock knowing as ‘The Diving Board’ which hangs precariously over the Atlantic to bring out the dare devil’s within us! We descend via the century’s old Pilgrims Path passing the ancient ruins of a Church and Beehive style houses built thousands of years ago before leaving the open mountain and continuing on to join the Pilgrims Path which majestically sinks into a glacial corrie with the surrounding mountain’s enclosing us on three sides. Beautiful streams, waterfalls, wildflowers and views to the coast finish our day as we tie up a fun packed hike in the hills of Donegal.