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Nature & wildlife · Donegal

Top 9 nature & wildlife things to do in Donegal

Wildlife, forests, gardens, and the green pockets of Donegal that make it bearable in monsoon and beautiful by November. Day trips and short drives where the landscape is the point.

  1. Cycling Glenveagh National Park. Donegal. Self guided. 3 hours., Donegal1

    1. Cycling Glenveagh National Park. Donegal. Self guided. 3 hours.

    · 3 hours

    Easy to find collection and drop off point. Situated in the beautiful grounds of Donegal’s Glenveagh National Park. Stunning mountain scenery. As a special area of conservation it contains unique flora and fauna. A rare opportunity to see Ireland’s re-introduced Golden eagles.

  2. Glenveagh National Park and Gaeltacht Tour, Donegal2

    2. Glenveagh National Park and Gaeltacht Tour

    5.0· 22 reviews

    In the northwest of Ireland, at the very edge of Europe, lies the Donegal Gaeltacht, a wild and storied land where Irish traditions and the Gaeilge language still thrive. As a local, I’ll take you beyond the guidebooks, sharing the hidden corners of the Wild Atlantic Way where I grew up. You’ll hear personal stories, legendary myths, and a few tall tales along the way. Explore Glenveagh Castle and its dramatic past, stand in awe at the mystical Poisoned Glen, and reflect inside the haunting ruins of Dunlewey Church. Sip Irish whiskey at Crolly Distillery and journey through Donegal’s rugged highlands, where generations have cut turf from the vast Atlantic bog. Gaze out over the sea to the Gaeltacht islands, including Tory Island, where my ancestors came from, and hear the stories that have been passed down through generations. This is my home, let me show it to you as only a local can.

  3. A Walk Through Time in Fort Dunree, Donegal3

    3. A Walk Through Time in Fort Dunree

    5.0· 5 reviews· 1 hours

    Your local guide has a strong personal connection to Fort Dunree and the area and provides a unique insight into the place, people and nature. This tour is dramatically located along Donegal's Wild Atlantic Way with stunning views throughout of Lough Swilly, Fanad Peninsula, the Urris Hills and west Donegal. After your guided tour you will also receive entrance tickets for the Fort Museum which you can explore at your leisure.

  1. 3 Day County Donegal Private Tour, Donegal4

    4. 3 Day County Donegal Private Tour

    5.0· 3 reviews· 3 days

    This 3-day private Donegal tour offers a relaxed, immersive way to experience one of Ireland’s most dramatic and unspoilt regions. Designed and guided by a Donegal native, the tour goes beyond the highlights to reveal hidden places, local stories and landscapes that most visitors never encounter. What sets this experience apart is its flexibility and personal approach. Each day is tailored around your interests, the weather and your pace, with no rigid schedules or large groups. Travel comfortably in a private Mercedes-Benz vehicle, enjoy stress-free driving on Donegal’s narrow roads and spend the right amount of time at each stop. Over three unforgettable days, you’ll explore iconic locations such as Sliabh Liag Cliffs, Glenveagh National Park, Inishowen and lesser-known gems off the tourist trail. This tour is ideal for travellers seeking an authentic, unhurried Donegal experience that feels more like exploring with a knowledgeable local friend than joining a standard tour.

  2. eBiking Glenveagh National Park. Donegal. Self guided. 3 hours., Donegal5

    5. eBiking Glenveagh National Park. Donegal. Self guided. 3 hours.

    5.0· 2 reviews· 3 hours

    Easy to find collection and drop off point. Situated in the beautiful grounds of Donegal’s Glenveagh National Park. Stunning natural scenery. As a special area of conservation it contains unique flora and fauna. A rare opportunity to see Ireland’s re-introduced Golden eagles.

  3. Travel and Experience the Emerald Isle., Donegal6

    6. Travel and Experience the Emerald Isle.

    5.0· 1 reviews

    This flexible tour will give a greater knowledge of Irelands most popular tourist destinations. Destinations will be suggested to give the maximum satisfaction and flexible itineraries are available. We guarantee to show the best that the north of Ireland has to offer. Donegal has a beach for every day of the year, it has mountains, islands, parks , walks all waiting to be explored. In the north of Ireland the stunning landscape will take your breath away and a shopping paradise in Belfast and other cities.

  4. Bog Safari Hike, Donegal7

    7. Bog Safari Hike

    5.0· 27 reviews· 2 hours

    For this 3 to 4 hour hike you will need a waterproof coat and trousers, hat, gloves, walking boots, lunch & water (2L), warm clothing, face mask, hand sanitizer and a rucksack to carry it all in. This route is on track & mixed terrain which can be wet, boggy, and slippery in places.

  5. Donegal Electric Bike Tour with Local Guide: Half-Day Adventure, Donegal8

    8. Donegal Electric Bike Tour with Local Guide: Half-Day Adventure

    4.8· 26 reviews· 3 hours

    Over the course of approximately 3 hours, we'll take you to see some of the most beautiful sights that Donegal has to offer. You'll get to see the mountains, beaches, lakes, churches, ghost village and much more, along the way you’ll hear about Gweedore's fascinating stories and history that make up this Gaelteacht area's unique culture. Our guides provide you with personal stories, observations and local knowledge throughout. Make your trip to Donegal that bit more special as you hear the stories that shaped this area of Ireland. All our guides are personable, knowledgeable, and fun. We always have your safety in mind, so you can enjoy your bike ride responsibly. Highlights of the Gweedore eBike Tour include: Errigal, Bád Eddie, a Ghost Village, an abandoned church, and a relaxing forest trail which runs alongside Dunlewy Lough.

  6. Slieve League cliffs cruise. Donegal. Guided. 1 ¾ hours., Donegal9

    9. Slieve League cliffs cruise. Donegal. Guided. 1 ¾ hours.

    4.6· 65 reviews· 1.8 hours

    Take a cruise from Killybegs harbour in beautiful County Donegal -(voted 'the coolest place on the planet') to the base of Europe highest accessible sea cliffs, to view the breath taking Slieve League cliffs, rising 1,972 feet / 601 metres out the water. On route we pass many points of Interest including Rotten Island and St John's Point lighthouses, Drumanoo Head, Fintra Beach, Muckross Head and the famous Giant's Desk and Chair which sit in the bay ahead of the mighty cliffs. While cruising close to the cliffs, you get a great chance to see the many caves & waterfalls which dot and cascade down the rock faces. On route back you will be able to see the table shaped mountain of Benbulbin in Sligo in the distance and the towns on the coastline of Donegal Bay. Donegal Bay is one of the richest waters in the world. There are regular sightings during the summer months of marine wildlife including dolphins, porpoises, basking sharks & tuna.

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