Donegal: Slieve League to Fanad Head
Some of Europe’s highest sea cliffs, Gaelic-speaking valleys, a mountain pass, Glenveagh National Park and the lighthouse at Fanad Head.
- Distance
- 191 km (119 mi)
- Driving
- 2 h 38 min
- Suggested days
- 5
- Stops
- 9
- Countries
- Ireland
- Updated
- June 25, 2026
At a glance: 5-day road trip of about 191 km (119 mi) with 9 stops, from Donegal to Fanad Head lighthouse. About 2 h 38 min of driving in total.
Route description
Donegal town has a castle on the river Eske and a busy central square. Follow the N56 and R263 west along Donegal Bay through Killybegs, Ireland’s largest fishing port, to Teelin and the Slieve League cliffs. In summer the road to the upper viewpoint is often closed to cars, so walk or take the shuttle from the visitor centre.
Continue to Glencolumbkille, a remote Irish-speaking valley with a folk village and a sandy beach. The road north climbs to the Glengesh Pass, whose hairpins drop into a glacial valley, and on to Ardara, a small town known for its tweed.
The N56 follows the coast through the Rosses and Gweedore, with Errigal mountain rising inland. Detour to Glenveagh National Park, where a shuttle bus runs along Lough Veagh to the castle and its gardens.
Dunfanaghy is a good base on Sheephaven Bay; drive the narrow loop over Horn Head for its cliffs. End the trip on the Fanad peninsula, following the Atlantic Drive to Fanad Head lighthouse between two sea loughs. Roads are narrow and weather changes fast, so give yourself more days than the distances suggest.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Donegal
Ireland - 246 km
Slieve League cliffs
ViewsTeelin, IrelandSome of the highest sea cliffs in Europe, rising about 600 m from the Atlantic. From the visitor centre, walk or take the shuttle up to the Bunglass viewpoint.
- 312 km
Glencolumbkille
Ireland - 415 km
Glengesh Pass
ViewsArdara, IrelandA glacial valley crossed by a road of hairpin bends between Glencolumbkille and Ardara. Stop at the viewpoint at the top.
- 512 km
Ardara
Ireland - 654 km
Glenveagh Castle
HistoryChurchill, IrelandA 19th-century castle and gardens on Lough Veagh in Glenveagh National Park. Park at the visitor centre and walk or take the shuttle bus along the lake.
- 719 km
Dunfanaghy
Ireland - 84 km
Horn Head
ViewsDunfanaghy, IrelandA narrow loop road over a high headland north of Dunfanaghy, with sheer cliffs and seabirds. Not suited to large motorhomes.
- 929 km
Fanad Head lighthouse
ViewsFanad, IrelandA white lighthouse on the rocks between Lough Swilly and Mulroy Bay. The view from the road above is the classic photo.
