Colmcille Climbers

  Isle of Doagh   Inishowen Peninsula, Co.Donegal.  Map OS 1:50,000 Sheet 3   The Ride. This is ideal for a short winter’s day.   The route gives spectacular sea views over Pollan Bay and Glashedy Island, and starts from the comfortable surroundings of the Strand Hotel, Ballyliffin GR C 386 484. Terrain Along the back of the beach it starts grassy, but conditions ‘underwheel’ will vary, and include sand and round stones.  Beyond the castle it is on quiet roads with lovely views. Largely level and hills are short. Time 1.5 hours; Distance 13 kilometres; Ascent 100m. Approach. Through Buncrana, and Clonmany to Ballyliffin on the R238. Route Park at the Strand HotelBallyliffin, and freewheel pleasantly down the hill in a northward direction to the carpark at the beach Gr C 387 495.  A grassy track along the back of the dramatic Pollan Strand, makes delightful level pedalling for about 2.5 kilometres, with splendid sea views, to meet the end of a track at Carrickabraghy.  From time to time (particularly in winter) the track gets inundated by stones driven up by the thunderous waves, and can become more challenging.  If the tide is out, it might be easier to bike along the sand, where possible. It is worth stopping at the castle to acquaint yourself with its interesting history, and perhaps view the blow hole in the rocks beyond. The road climbs past the old castle before descending to Lagacurry (the Famine Village there is worth a visit), with good views over the Lagg (Narrows) and the Knockmany Bens on the other side.  Turn inland to Claragh, take the first left, and descend again to the shore at Doaghmore.  This scenic little road follows the coastline around the east side of Doagh Island, with a couple of short hills, to rejoin the main (Well, mainer!) road at GR C 422 498, and then the proper main road at GR C 407 489 (Lackboy).  Two kilometres on this quite busy thoroughfare will bring you back to the Strand Hotel.  There is a good coffee shop, Nancy’s Barn, serving award winning chowder just as you enter Ballyliffin.  
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          Culdaff Antiquities  Inishowen, Co. Donegal.  Map OS 1:50,000 Sheet 3 The Ride This is an interesting area, full of antiquities, which can be linked together by tracks and quiet lanes through old “Off the beaten track” communities.  There are fine views, coastal, hill and moor, very little traffic, and the trip starts, and ends, at McGrorys, a small family run hotel, famous for its hospitality, music and food. Terrain Minor roads, lanes and unsurfaced tracks, any hills are very short! Time . 2- 2.5 hours Distance  25km Route.  Departing from McGrorys, turn left and follow the coastal road (a Sli na Slainte) along the river and the beach carpark/ childrens’ playpark..  Follow the coastal road past a caravan park, until it turns right, and at this point, follow the road back uphill, until it joins the Culdaff/ Carrowmena Road. Turn left, and continue along the road for approx 1.5 kilometres, past some mushroom houses on the right, and turn left again, (approx 30 mins from Culdaff) up a lane to Watch Hill (approx 400 metres after emerging on the road) at GR 562 483. The next section is an intricate network of tracks through “claghans”,some abandoned, some still occupied.  The laneway twists through some ruined cottages, joining another lane at GR 566 484, where you turn right, then  first left, beside a cottage GR 565 483, to the next T junction.   Follow this minor tarmaced lane  left (north east) towards Bootog to a right angled turn , and then to another T junction at GR 576 478.   Turn left, and continue down to another sharp bend at Crockaveela, after which there are more ruined cottages and a further T junction at GR 582 475.  This time, go right, then first left (opposite Tremone sign) at GR 580 475, and continue through the hamlet of Ballycharry, to GR  585 469, where the Darcy Magee path is picked up, leading, over a footbridge, and  into the picturesque village of Carrowmena, beside the Tremone Bar.    (On this track there is an ancient slab cross at GR 58763 46816). Turn right, through the village, and fork right, to the crossroads at Falmore.GR 584 452. Go straight through, and fork right, turning right, (downhill), again at GR 574 449.  This remote track takes you through Tirahork and Cambry, and you turn right at the T junction, uphill and first left to arrive at Glacknadrummond Church, GR 547 473. This area is full of megalithic remains. Turn left at the church, downhill, and straight through the crossroads past Temple Hill (Black Hill on the map) to the ancient church of Clonca, and the high cross, on the right.  Turn right here (worth stopping to look at the cross, and the earliest known engraving of a hurling stick within the church) and continue back to the main road at yet another chapel (Bocan).  It is worth a slight diversion here, back to the right, to see the famous Bocan Stone Circle at GR 476 542, but otherwise turn left, and follow the main road less than a kilometre to McGrorys.                                       Add route description here...
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  Malin Headcase Inishowen, Co Donegal. Map OS 1:50,000 Sheet 3 The Ride This route links the high points of the Malin Head area, the Knockmany Bens scenic route, and the ascent of Crockalough.  The route can be started either at Farrens Bar, or the Seaview Tavern/Restaurant at Ballygorman.  Tea, coffee, or something stronger available at both hostelries. Terrain Mainly on surfaced minor roads and lanes, there is one substantial ascent to Crockalough followed by some rough track in descent. Time 3 hours; Distance 25k approx;  Ascent 350m. Approach. Through Carndonagh and Malin Town to Ballygorman on the R238 and R242. Route From Farrens Bar Gr C 420 581, the most Northerly pub in Ireland,follow a track over a ditch and join a grassy path linking with the coastal road Eastwards past the Seaview Tavern. There are fine views over the Garvan Isles and the more distant Inistrahull. Keep right at the left turn for the “Wee House of Malin” and follow the Inishowen 100 signs,  continuing over the hill to the crossroads at Bree (Mullins shop for Provisions).  Turn sharp left, and after a short distance turn left at Gr C 437 557, continue past some houses, and make the gradual, then steeper, climb towards the air traffic control dome on Crockalough. Turn right  at  Gr C 439 564,  where the track gets rougher,(and indeed is frequently flooded), as you pass a small lake, before cresting the hill, with magnificent views opening up over the coastline and Inistrahull Island. Descending  East, then South, the track continues to deteriorate as it becomes more of a watercourse, with consequent erosion, until you meet another track just east of Meedanmore, at some sheep pens Gr C 468 557.  Go left and immediately right, and that track continues down to meet the road again.  Turn right to a T junction, then left, crossing Hugh Roe’s Bridge.  Take the first rightwhich will lead westwards, joining the main road at O’Doherty’s pub (expect traffic here) and continuing a few hundred metres before leaving to the right, and climbing gradually past Soldiers Hill and onto the most scenic section of the Inishowen 100. Pause at the car park atop the Knockmany Bens,to admire the stunning view over Five Fingers Strand, Isle of Doagh, indeed the whole Inishowen coastline and beyond to Tory Island! This well surfaced side road continues down to the rustic hamlet of Culoort, skirting the storm beach, before turning inland, over a small bridge,  towards Ballygorman.  Turn left at the T junction by the school, and fork left at the Crossroads Inn, past Malin Coastguard Radio Station, Middle Town, and West Town on the Malin Head Coastal loop.  It is worth a diversion, turning  left at Gr C 400 591(Signposted) up to Bamba’s Crown, an old fortification, and fine and popular viewpoint, (all the better if the Cafe Bamba van is on site, as they serve excellent coffee and homemade bakery products).  Rejoin the coastal loop, and continue past the antique shop and harbour at Portmore, to your final destination.  A slightly shorter option, which is partly “off tarmac”, is to follow the track through North Town, over the hill to Ballyhillin      
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Inishowen, Co Donegal Map OS 1:50,000 Sheet 3

 

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 The Ride.

 

 This very hilly route, follows part of the “Inishowen Scenic Loop” on a good track, before it “takes off” on a turf cutter’s track  across the bog.  The second half of the route is a long climb and descent on a minor tarmac road.  Due to its elevation, there are extensive views across the mouth of the Foyle, North Derry and Antrim coasts.  

 

 

 

 

 

Terrain. Mostly good tracks, but also a section of boggy terrain.

 

Time 2-2.5 Hours, Distance 14 Km

 

 

 

Approach    

 

From Derry to Moville/ Grrencastle, following the higher road towards Shroove to the Drunken Duck Pub.

 

 

 

Route

 

 From the Drunken Duck ( Sheet 3; Gr C 673 425), follow the road North East for less than a kilometre, turning up hill at Gr C 680 430 (where the main road turns back South downhill to the beach/lighthouse).  A substantial climb takes you up to the old wartime lookout post on top of Inishowen head, and the track continues past the picnic area/information board (where St Columba left Ireland for Iona, and climbed the hill for a last look at Derry and the “Auld Sod”), in a North West direction, before turning SW at Gr C 660 452, and going uphill again.  The track has been badly damaged here by quads and 4x4s, but is still passable.

 

 

 

Ignoring one turn to the right (to an isolated shed) turn right at Gr C 655 446 onto bog tracks over Glenane Hill, keeping  left and continuing to a gate/wall.  The track continues on the other side to Craig.  Out of courtesy, stop  and say  “thank you” at the first house on the right (The Music House), when you go through the second gate. The lane you just came down is private, and belongs to Mr. Anthony McHendry, a musician and generally hospitable man.

 

 

 

 A long climb from Craig, leads over Barnes Hill/Crockmore, and descending, take the left fork at Gr C 641 426, turning downhill again at Gr C 649 428, and  first left again (at Gr C 650 424), finally descending to Tawnawaddy.  Turn left, and just over two kilometres along this elevated road will lead back to the “Drunken Duck”, which hopefully will be open!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
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Inishowen, Co. Donegal.  Map OS 1:50,000 Sheet 3

 

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  The Ride

 

 Start in the coastal resort of Buncrana, at the car park (Gr C 343 324) at the Crana Estuary.  There is a nice cafe (Fisherman’s Wharf) nearby, on Church St (just above the Lake of Shadows hotel),  for refreshments, at the start or end, or both!  There are currently no restrictions on cyclists on the Ned’s Point path, but it is very popular with walkers, so show extreme courtesy, and we might keep it that way.  There is a “No Cycling” sign at the upper entrance to Swann Park, so if it is busy, avoid it and finish the loop by road, if it is quiet, you might be OK, but dismount where there are other walkers.

 

Terrain

 

Coastal path, beach, minor roads, unsurfaced mountain track, grassy path.  Major ascent is early in the route! Combining a fine coastal path, with rough mountain tracks,  a bit of “bush wacking”, and a beautiful riverside park, this route has everything.

 

Time 3-4 hours.  Distance 25Km

 

Approach

 

From Derry Londonderry along the shores of Lough Swilly to Buncrana.

 

 

 

 

 

Route

 

Park as above, near the old bridge over the river Cranagh at GR C344 326. On the far side of this, turn right of Buncrana Castle, and immediately left of O'Doherty’s Keep, on a good footpath, which soon leads down to the shore of Lough Swilly. Follow the concrete coastal path past Ned’s Point, (a Napoleonic Fortress), and Father Hegarty’s Rock, until you reach the beach at Stragill. Please dismount, or display extreme courtesy to pedestrians on this busy path.  

 

 Cross the beach  to GR 325 348, and at the far side, take the road running inland, and  go left at the first crossroads, turning right again at the Loreto Convent junction, (Gr 318 356), turning inland, to a minor cross roads at  Gr 324 364. Go straight through, uphill, and turn left at the next T junction (at Linsfort), taking the first right at Gr 326 368, climbing past a standing stone on the left, and crossing the Aghaweel River (unimpressive flow!) climbing  to a junction at Gr 334 377.

 

 Turn right and almost immediately left, into a lung busting pedal up a track to the wind farm on Drumlough Hill.  The climb is worth it, as soon, you are up amongst a forest of whirling windmills, with the distinctive profile of Bulbin (pronounced Bulabagh locally) Hill on your left. Pass the lake on your right, and take the first turn right at Gr 363 399, to circumnavigate, and descend,( delightfully) Beam Hill to another junction at Shandrim  Gr 372 380. The views of the Mintiaghs, Slieve Snaght(Monarch of Inishowen) Sl.Main are magnificent from this elevated track, the descent of which is not steep enough to distract the rider from the magic of his/ her surroundings!  

   Descend SW to the main Road R238, but avoid it by using the yellow alternative( the L7011), which becomes a narrow grassy path at Gr 373 365, just short of Drum.  This can be heavy going for a kilometre or so, but it improves and rejoins the main R238, which is followed,  crossing the River Crana, to Gr 349 328, on the fringes of Buncrana.  Turn right,(signposted Dunree) cross a bridge ,  and consider the possibility of entering Swann Park on the left.  There are “No Cycling” signs, but if no one is about!! ... And you can always wheel the bike!   It is a lovely place, a shame to miss, and will bring you back to the bridge close to the carpark.  

 
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      Inishowen, Co Donegal.  Map OS 1:50,000 Sheet 3   The Ride Containing an unusually large amount (for Ireland) of non tarmac biking, and great views, this route is a real cracker!  In effect it is a largely “off road” circuit of the distinctive Bulbin Hill, visiting remote communities tucked away amongst spectacular mountain scenery.  The North Pole Bar is the hub of a very active cycling club based at Drumfries, (evidenced by the many “Cyclists” Signs thereabouts!).  It is also the start (or finish) of the ‘Irish Polar Challenge’, a bike ride connecting this establishment with Tom Crean’s South Pole Bar on the Dingle Peninsula, Co.Kerry. If open, stop for a pint, coffee or whatever! There is also the community run Slieve Snaght Centre which provides snacks and even a shower (when open). Terrain. Mainly gravel and bog tracks.  One ‘off-track’descent of a hillside. Time 3 hours; Distance 22 Kilometres; Ascent  500m. Approach. Through Derry/Londonderry and Buncrana to Drumfries, on the Clonmany/Carndonagh Road (R238). Route. Start at the North Pole Bar, Drumfries, on the Buncrana to Carndonagh road (Sheet 3, Gr C 385 390) on Inishowen.    Follow to R244 towards Carndonagh but after barely 100m, leave it, keeping right, up a minor road,straight up a hill.  Through a couple of gates, the road becomes un tarred track, bypassing on its right, the volcanic plug of Barnanmore.   After 3 km, at Gr C 410 419, dog leg left and rejoin the R244.  Turn left and immediately right, skirt the shore of L.Fada, and descend to join the Clonmany road.  Turn left at Gr C 388 448, onto a more minor parallel road, and first left again onto a narrow lane.  The first lane on the right is a dead end, but take the second at Gortnamona, keep left at a fork to a minor T junction.  Right, then left at a fork, towards the striking hill of Bulbin. After about 1.5 Km at Gr C 367 436, turn right along a lane, and go left up the track that climbs along the SW slopes of the mountain.  Just beyond the high point at Gr C 352 414, a track branches left out along the spur.  This is rough and muddy but very cyclable. At its end, a rutted turf track descends towards the valley.  Take this, and follow tractor tracks southwards and down hill, avoiding turf banks and the odd swamp, to join the main track that crosses this remote mountain side.  (Perhaps not so remote with the big wind farm just beyond the track!).  Turn left, try to ignore the fly tipping, and after 1.5 km, just after the track swings right, turn left and descend steeply back onto the R286 Buncrana to Clonmany road.  A 2 kilometre pedal will bring you back to the North Pole at Drumfries.  
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      Burt, Co.Donegal.  Map 1:50,000 Sheet 7   The Ride. This is an attractive route on minor trails and roads, no more than 20 minutes from Derry, taking in the island, over 3 embankments, and a nature reserve via an old railway line. Terrain. The route is mainly on minor roads and good tracks, and there are few hills. Time 3.5 hours, Distance 32k; Ascent 100m Approach From Derry/Londonderry towards Letterkenny. Start at Kernan\'s cafe on the main Derry/Letterkenny Road N13 at Newtowncunningham. Gr C  311 167. Route. Continue out towards Letterkenny to the end of the village, turning right at Gr C 304 167.  Take the first right turn, approx 1k along this road, and continue to the end of the road to the Blanket Nook railway embankment, which is crossed on a narrow grassy track, going rightwards under an old bridge at the far end.  Turning uphill, there is an old graveyard on the right (worth a visit) and beyond this, keep left and left again, to round Finwell Hill on its North side.  Continue downhill to the junction at Gr C 327 206, turn left through Carrowen to the newly renovated Farland Bank amenity area/carpark.  A good gravel track across this, leads to Inch Island and along the shore to a new car park on the lake side, from which the road can be accessed at Gr C 345 232. Either continue on the track to the main causeway or turn left, and begin a clockwise circumnavigation of the Island.  The road climbs past Inch Castle, and descends to the scenic Mill bay. You can either cross the Island on a minor road at this point, or continue around the coast to the road end at Binalt. There used to be a track connecting Binalt to Inch Fort,(still marked on some maps) but this is now sadly overgrown. A circuit of Inch can still be made by crossing a couple of fields just below it, and to do this, go up a lane just before the road end, which turns and runs parallel to the coast.  At a gate, go into a field (you will see the overgrown track above on your right), cross the field and another to gain a track at the far end, which leads to a minor road and thence to the road just above the pier.Turn right, and take the coastal road, which is joined by the short cut after about 3 km.   Cross the causeway, and keep right at the other side, towards Burnfoot. A new track almost immediately leads off to the right.  There is a wonderful footpath (renovated railway embankment with bird watching hides) leading all the way back to the Farland Bank.  Show extreme courtesy to pedestrians, as this is heavily used!  Retrace your route through Carrowen, keeping right at the first fork, through the crossroads, and turn sharply right at Gr C 328 198, towards the prominent Burt Castle on the hill.  The route circles the hill to the North and West, before taking off SW, on a couple of \'dog legs\' to join the main Derry Letterkenny road(N13) just East of Kernans Filling Station/Cafe.  
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      Inishowen, Co.Donegal Map OS 1:50,000 Sheet 3 The Ride This explores the high ground of bog and moor that bounds the Foyle on its western side. Some quiets roads, but much of it on elevated track and trail with views across Inishowen, and the river Foyle Basin. Terrain Largely quiet roads and ‘forestry quality’ tracks, but after Lough Fada there is a crossing of open bog (about 500m) to link up with a tricky rutted track which descends back to Gleneely. Time 2.5 hours, Distance 20 Km Approach From Derry to Carndonagh on the R240, then the R244 to Gleneely Village.  Parking available outside the football club. Refreshments available at The Carraig Bar or The Orchard Bar. Route From Gleneely take the Redcastle Road, pass a church on the left, and take the next minor road, also on the left.  After about 2 Km, at a minor crossroads, turn right onto a forestry track Gr 564 423, which climbs gradually, becoming rougher past the forestry. Where this leads back onto tarmac, turn left downhill, towards the Foyle for just over a kilometre, before turning right at Gr 586 396. This minor road jiggles its way across the hill with lovely views up the Foyle towards Derry to a T junction at Gr 572 379. Turn right, up the hill, and follow this track for about 3.5 km across wild bogland until the track is joined by another from the left, then meets the main road close to the watershed. A short climb leads to the top of the hill known locally as Crock An Onion (shown as Rowantree Hill on the map).  Just before the viewpoint carpark, turn left onto another track.  Continue along the top of the hill, ignoring any fly tipping as best you can, and passing Lough Fada on your left, until the track runs out.  There is about 500m of open bogland to cross to reach the beginning of the next track, but this is fairly level, and there are tracks to follow to a badly eroded area of turf cuttings at Gr 534 410, where the other track starts.  This track is basically two ruts, divided with moss and rushes, but it is firm, and goes downhill for about 4 Km, eventually improving after a wire gate, and arriving back in Gleneely, by either turning right and left, or continuing straight on to the main road from Carndonagh, then right to the village.  
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      Inishowen, Co.Donegal. Map OS 1:50,000 Sheet 3 The Ride This is a short route circumnavigating an upland lake.  Starting at the lake’s west end, it passes the lough on its northern side on a track, descends towards Lough Foyle, before doubling back, up the hill on a minor road and taking the eastern shore. Terrain Stony track and minor road. Hilly. Time 1-1.5 hours. Distance 10km Approach From Derry follow the main road toward Moville, turning left at Gr 535 337 And following the L.Inn Carndonagh Road to the far end of the Lough, where the road is joined on the right by a track Gr 511394 The Route Follow the rough track in an easterly direction along the north side of the lake, and climb over a col, before descending to join a tarmac road, which continues down hill to meet the approach road to Lough Inn (from the Derry Moville Road). Turn right, and climb gradually over the watershed, pass the lake, and back to the car.  
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Inishowen, Co Donegal.  Map 1:50,000 Sheet 3

 

  Length: 80m

 

The Ride                               

 

 This is a cycling version of the Inishowen Wildway, a conceptual project to walk the Irish coastline from Buncrana to Moville, connecting the two ferries.  The walkers route has been restricted, in that the entire Malin area has been left out, due to chronic access problems, and the mountain bike route has also been so diverted to avoid contentious areas.

 

 

 

Terrain

 

 

 

Time    Distance 80+ Km

 

 

 

Approach

 

From Derry/Londonderry to Buncrana ,along the Swilly, and park near the old bridge over the river Cranagh at GR C344 326.

 

 

 

The Route

 

On the far side of this, turn right of Buncrana Castle, and immediately left of O'Doherty’s Keep, on a good footpath, which soon leads down to the shore of Lough Swilly. Follow the concrete coastal path past Ned’s Point, (a Napoleonic Fortress), and Father Hegarty’s Rock, until you reach the beach at Stragill. Please dismount, or display extreme courtesy to pedestrians on this busy path.

 

 

 

 Cross the beach  to GR 325 348, and at the far side, take the road running inland, and  go left at the first crossroads, turning right again at the Loreto Convent junction, (Gr 318 356), turning inland, to a minor cross roads at  Gr 324 364. Go straight through, uphill, and turn left at the next T junction (at Linsfort), taking the second left, just past Ballyannan Br.  Follow this very minor road for a kilometre, and take the first right ,(just after crossing a stream) climbing this lane to a T junction at Gr314 390.  Turn left and take the scenic tour of Tonduff Hill (interesting megalithic tomb on top).  At the next junction turn right, keep left, and descend to Gr 297 395, where a sharp right is taken, descending, crossing the Owenerk River, and following the delightful road, past Milltown and Carha, which traverses the South Eastern slopes of the Urris Hills. 

 

 

 

 Emerging on the Mamore Gap road, turn left, and a steep climb takes you to the top, rewarding views, and an even more rewarding descent on the other side lead down to a car park at Gr 318 443.  The hard work really starts here!  Follow the newly surfaced track which wends its way unrelentingly uphill to the col between Mamore Hill and Crockmain.  It runs out at the top, but there is a fainter trail leading East to the col between Crockmain and Slievekeeragh, which can be mostly cycled as it is either level or downhill, and there are yellow posts to roughly mark the route.  Soon you pick up the Butler's Glen track, which exits onto the road at Glen House (food and refreshments).   Turn right, and follow the road into Clonmany.

 

 

 

 From the square, take the road uphill towards Ballyliffin to a cross roads at Gr 380 473.   Turn left, towards Annagh, but keep right, and the road takes you down to the beach at Pollan, Gr 387 495.  A grassy track along the back of the beach, makes delightful level pedalling for about 2.5 kilometres, with splendid sea views, to meet the end of a track at Carrickabraghy.   It can also be stony due to the effect of storms, and if the tide is out, the hard sand is probably the best option.

 

 The road climbs past the old castle of that name, before descending to Lagacurry (the Craft Village there is worth a visit), with good views over the Lagg (Narrows) and the Knockmany Bens on the other side.  Turn inland to Claragh, and descend again to the shore at Doaghmore.  This scenic little road follows the coastline around the east side of Doagh Island, with a couple of short hills, to rejoin the main (Well, Mainer!) road at GR 422 498, and then the proper main road at GR 407489 (Lackboy).  Turn left, and suffer this relatively busy road (there are no feasible alternatives) for about 5k, turning left onto the slab road at Gr 451 468, which leads to Strawbridge on the R238.  Go left, and just as you enter Malin Town, turn  right past stables at Gr 471 497, on the south side of the Ballyboe River.  This becomes unsurfaced before you cross the R243 Malin/Culdaff road, continue past Cracknagh, onto a minor road which leads into Culdaff     village over the bridge,  and left to McGrorys Hotel (food and refreshments), just past the village green.   Departing from McGrorys, turn left and follow the coastal road (a Sli na Slainte) along the river to GR  536 497, past the beach carpark/ childrens’ playpark at GR 547 497.   Follow the coastal road past a caravan park, until it turns right, and at this point (GR  553 497) follow the road back uphill, until it joins the Culdaff/ Carrowmena Road. Turn left, and continue along the road for approx 1.5 kilometres, past some mushroom houses on the right, and turn left again, (approx 30 mins from Culdaff) up a lane to Watch Hill (approx 400 metres after emerging on the road) at GR 562 483. The next section is an intricate network of tracks through “claghans”, some abandoned, some still occupied. The laneway twists through some ruined cottages GR 564 485, joining another lane at GR 566 484, where you turn right, then  first left, beside a cottage GR 565 483, to another T junction at GR 569 481.   Follow this minor tarmaced lane  left (north east) towards Bootog to a right angled turn GR 572 483, and then to another T junction at GR 576 478. Turn left, and continue down to another sharp bend at Crockaveela, after which there are more ruined cottages and a further T junction at GR 582 475.  This time, go right, then first left (opposite Tremone sign) at GR 580 475, and continue through the hamlet of Ballycharry, to GR  585 469, where the Darcy Magee path is picked up, leading, over a footbridge, and  into the picturesque village of Carrowmena, beside the Tremone Bar, GR  591 462. (On this track there is an ancient slab cross at GR 58763 46816).

 

 

 

 Turn left through the charming unspoiled village, in a northeasterly direction to a junction at Ballymagaraghy, keep right and continue over the hill to a T junction at the Kinnego Bay Road.  Cruise downhill with great views of this superb bay opening up ahead, but at the Trinidad Valencera Memorial. you dog leg back uphill and follow this hilly coastal route (one of the tough sections of the Inishowen 100), turning left out to Craig  Gr 640 453.  A rough track leads over the hill here, but first you must call at the music house ( the one just past the gate)  and ask permission of Mr Anthony McHenry.  A small gift of cake or biscuits is always appreciated, as is a few minutes chat!  Take McHenry's lane over 2 gates and out onto the hill, where turf cutters tracks lead across Glenane Hill to join a more major track at Gr 656 447.  Go left, downhill on the Inishowen Head scenic Loop (badly eroded in places by quads and 4x4s) which leads eventually steeply downhill and left to Stroove.  4k along the coastal road leads into Greencastle.   From Greencastle there is a lovely coastal path to Moville.  It is narrow, and popular with walkers, so take care and show courtesy.

     
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