Discover the Unexplored
Forests & Woodland
Distance & drive from resort
Your Wild Atlantic Way adventure awaits – A stay at Donegal Boardwalk Resort offers the unique opportunity to explore Donegal and breathe in the sea air along the Wild Atlantic Way . There is no better feeling than the anticipation of a coastal break to recharge the batteries. We are fortunate here in Carrickart to have an abundance of visitor attractions and places of interest to visit on our doorstep. Your host, George and his team have a wealth of knowledge on the very best things to do in the area which they are delighted to share with you. Here are just some of their recommendations to explore Donegal and enjoy a true local experience. .
DUNTALLY WOOD NATURE RESERVE
6.4km – 6MINS
Set on 15.3 ha Duntally Wood is rich in plant species with alder woodland on the valley floor and hazel-ash woodland on the valley sides. There is a variety of bird-life in the wood with Tits feeding on insects among the branches while Robins and Wrens feed closer to the ground. Otters live in the river, eating eels, trout and other fish.
GLENVEAGH NATIONAL PARK
19.3km- 29MINS
Glenveagh National Park lies in the heart of the Derryveagh Mountains in the north-west of Co. Donegal. It is a remote and hauntingly beautiful wilderness of rugged mountains and pristine lakes. The Park consists of 16,540 hectares (40,873 acres) of mountains, lakes, glens and woods, with a herd of red deer. A Scottish style castle is surrounded by one of the finest gardens in Ireland, which contrast with the rugged surroundings. The Visitor Centre houses exhibitions and an audio-visual show.
ARDS FOREST PARK
12.5km – 15MINS
Ards Forest Park covers approximately 1200 acres and includes a variety of habitats, among them sand dunes, beaches, salt marshes, salt water lakes, rock face and, of course, coniferous and deciduous woodlands. There are a large number of trails in this park giving the walker the opportunity to explore a variety of habitats from foreshore and sand dunes to semi natural oak woodlands on rock outcrops.
MOUNT ERRIGAL
28km- 29MINS
Mount Errigal is situated in the north-west of Donegal between Dunlewy, Gweedore, Gortahock and Glenveagh. An exciting mountain standing at over 752 metres (2,467 ft). Errigal dominates the landscape and provides a dramatic backdrop to the shallow peat valley, subdivided by low dry stone walls, which follow you to Dunlewy. Errigal is steep and needs great care, particularly on descent, but the views are really breathtaking on every side. Access to the uppermost peak is via a narrow goat track where the ground falls away sharply on either side.
POISONED GLEN
28km- 29MINS
The Poisoned Glen is one of the most beautiful spots in Donegal, Ireland – it’s a small glacial valley sandwiched between Errigal, Lake Dunlewy, and the Glenveagh National Park. It is lush, green and boggy, with gorgeous views in every direction, particularly of Errigal’s quartzite slopes. There are no roads, no birds and only one headstone in the parish graveyard. The church, built of locally quarried white marble, was abandoned decades ago because no one lives near it any more.
MUCKISH MOUNTAIN
15.7 – 22MINS
Muckish (Irish: An Mhucais, meaning “pig’s back”) is a distinctive flat-topped mountain in the Derryveagh Mountains of Donegal, Ireland. At 666 metres, it is the third-highest peak in the Derryveagh Mountains, with Errigal being the highest. The mountain, with its characteristic outline, is a dominant feature of the north Donegal scenery. Muckish is also the most northern and second highest of the mountain chain, called the ‘Seven Sisters’ by locals.
GRIANAN OF AILEACH
59.5km – 50MINS
On the top of the Greenan mountain, not far from the border of Northern Ireland, lies Grianan of Aileach, one of the finest stone forts in Ireland. The massive stone wall is 3.9m (13ft) thick and encloses an area 23.4m (77ft) in diameter. In the walls are small chambers; a series of stairs at regular intervals inside the walls gave access to the wall-walk. The entrance is very long and lintelled.