At 751m the summit of Errigal is the highest point in Donegal and access to the mountain is easy enough. There is a car park on the main R251 at the foot of the mountain from where it is fairly easy to find your way to the climb. The first part is quite boggy but once you start to climb the ground gets much firmer under foot. There is considerable shale at the top, so be sure to wear good sturdy hiking boots and maybe bring a pole to steady yourself particularly on the descent. There are 2 summits on Errigal which look more or less the same, although the first one which you reach coming up this way is considered to be the highest. There is a narrow “one man’s path” between the two summits, so it is possible to take in the views from both. As might be expected from the highest point in the county, these views are spectacular. Lough Altan on the one side, Dunlewey Lake and the surrounding mountains on the other. While the path is easy to find, it is narrow and steep in parts (although not dangerously so) and there is some loose shale to deal with at the top which gives this climb it’s strenuous rating.
Total Climb: approx 475m Distance: approx 4.5Km Time: 2.5-3hrs hours Grading: Strenuous
Recommended: hiking boots, snack, water, wet weather clothing
