Glenveigh |
| Location: Mountain Bike Routes Grade: VD - Length: 27m |
| First ascent: Alan Tees, Finbarr Mullin |
| Route Description: |
| Glenveigh This is a largely off road tour of Glenveigh National Park, which combines some of the finest scenery in the country, with the antiquities of Gartan, and a number of major tourist attractions “en Route”. From Letterkenny, drive to Churchill on the R261, continue through the village, and turn left along the south side of Lough Gartan towards Doochary. After a short distance, turn right down to the Gartan Heritage Centre (also the access road to Gartan Outdoor Centre). Park at the Heritage Centre Gr 061 162. Start by following the estate lane NE along the shores of the lake. Join the R261 again, cross a bridge and keep left, passing the Glebe Gallery, before forking left again and climbing a steep hill to access a minor track along the north shore. This continues in a SW direction for 4-5 Km, past Ardaturr, slightly undulating, but with good views over the lake unfolding on the left. Descend, cross the Bullaba river by a small bridge, and join the R254 at Glendowan, turning right towards Doochary. A gradual climb up this remote tarmac road leads to the high point, and the upper end of Glenveigh, at Gr 971 158, one hour from the start. The castle is signposted at 7km and the visitors centre a further 4! Descend the track to the right into the glen on a narrow stony track, through a gate, and continue delightfully, but with care as the track is rough in parts, towards the lake. On gaining the valley bottom, the track follows the river past an estate cottage to the shores of Lough Veigh, (with the spectacular Asdelleen falls on the left), and continues to the castle (1 hour 45 mins from the start). In addition to the castle, the centrepiece to the Glenveigh National Park, and it’s exotic gardens, there is an excellent cafe (which must not be missed) and toilets. An hour can be spent here very easily! On leaving the castle, continue a further kilometre along the lake, before turning right, (signposted L.Inshagh) uphill, on a gravel track which climbs gradually to a highpoint on Gartan Mountain overlooking that lough. Splendid views unfold over the remote areas of the National Park, and soon you are descending the other side, through 2 gates, towards Gartan Lough. It is worth a short detour to look at St Columbkille’s birthplace and cross. On rejoining the road by the Stag’s heads, turn right past the Glebe Gallery again (also worth a visit to see Derek Hill’s art collection) recross the river Leannan, and gain the lakeside track back to the start. 27k, 3 hours approx. A grand outing! Terrain, mainly estate and forestry tracks, quiet roads, with one descend requiring attention. An alternative would be to start at the Glenveigh Visitors Centre off the R251 Letterkenny/ Bunbeg road, take the track SW towards the castle, but turn left past Lough Inchagh to Gartan and follow the route described above back down Glenveigh, past the castle, to the visitors centre. |
 Glenveigh - Mountain Bike Route |
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Route Number: 2740