Get Lost Mountaineering

Errigal from R251 to South

Start/Finish

Errigal car park on the R251 at about B 942 197. Errigal Mountain is quite well signposted from most directions. The car park only holds about 20 cars so can soon fill up at busy times. There is additional lay by parking nearby.

Distance/Time

5 km.     About 3 – 4 hours.

Peaks

Errigal Mountain, 751 m, B 928 207. (Irish National Grid System)

Irish OS Discovery Series Map 1: Donegal (1:50000)

Introduction

Errigal is, by some distance, the highest mountain in Donegal. From some angles, it looks like a pyramid. Errigal is the most popular mountain in the area and this has taken its toll on the paths over the years. Some limited improvements have taken place but there is still much to do. In 2019, the ascent crossed boggy areas and ascended a steep scree slope before a decent mountain path continued to the summit. Navigation is not a problem even in mist as the path is so distinctive. Views from Errigal are excellent and include Slieve Snaght, Dooish and Muckish as well as the Donegal coastline.

Route

(1) Take the obvious path out of the back of the car park. This new path runs out in about 100 m and a quite boggy one takes over. Either follow the boggy path or cross the bnarrow srtream and ascend ascend easier ground there. Reach the foot of the ESE ridge where grass and bog give way to scree. Pick a way up a choice of steepish paths until the gradient eventually eases and a decent mountain path takes over. Follow this up to where the crest narrows (no difficulties) then reach the obvious small summit area. There is no cairn or trig point but sometimes there is a Donegal flag to mark the summit of Errigal Mountain, 751 m. A narrow ridge after the summit can be crossed to reach a lower top which offers better coastal views.

(2) Retrace the outward route.

Notes

(a) This walk took place on 10^th and 15^th July, 2019

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