Colmcille Climbers

Map OSI 1:50,000 sheets 1 and 2

The Ride

This is a linear route, best done west to east due to the prevailing winds and the exposed nature of much of the terrain.  It includes wherever possible the old Burtonport Railway Line (still very much a work in progress) with the waymarked ‘Sli na Dhun n Gall/Sli na Rosann/Sli an Earagail’.  When complete, this  will be the best in the land.  The old railway line goes through some spectacular scenery, but old lines otherwise tend to lack a certain interest, being both straight and level.  The road sections in this are wonderful, quiet, and add the required interest and variety.

Approach.

Via  Letterkenny, Kilmacrenan, Dunlewy and Annagry on the R259                                  .

Start

At the harbour car park Burtonport Gr B71800 15300

Route Section 1                Burtonport to Dunlewy

Head south from the Aranmore ferry slipway, along the coast, through the various warehouses connected to the port, crossing a causeway.  Cross the road, and you will pick up the ‘Old Railway walk’( signage a red engine) a narrow finely surfaced, level track, well festooned with seating, each in memory of much’ loved and lost’ local folk.  This continues delightfully for approx 6 km, only leaving the track on one or two occasions to avoid dwellings built on the old line. It climbs steeply at the finish, to join a road, turn left and continue to follow the red engine signs to a broad cross roads at L.Altercan Gr B 75600 15850, from where the Sli na Rosann takes over.  Less than 30 minutes from the port

Straight across the cross roads the route follows both yellow walking man and blue’ Route1’ cycle signs, and is well marked on the OSI 1:50,000 sheet 1, running easterly along minor roads towards Annagry.   After 5 Km at Gr B 80100 17150 turn left following the walking sign (and parting company with the cycling ones) uphill on a rough cart track, descending past a huge quarry to a T junction.  The Sli na Rosann  crosses the road, avoiding the fleshpots of Annagry, but I would prefer to turn left into the village, where a break and refreshments can be had en route before rejoining the red dotted line.  Turn left at Gr B 80650 19550 ( signposted) and  continue along even more minor roads to Crolly,  passing a lovely narrow bridge en route.  Less than 1 Km south of this bridge, there is a campsite (Sleepy Hollow) and the famous Leo Brennan’s Pub, home of, and launching pad for Clannad and Enya.   Turn left,  onto the main N56 road, the waymarked route uses the ‘Suloid an Chlochain Bhig’, before rejoining the main road, but I used the main road, it seeming an unnecessary diversion, for about another 3km.

Turn right at Gr B 85200 22400, just before a bridge, into the forestry on the SW side of L. Nacung, follow the forestry track for some 6km, finally back onto tarmac, and cross the causeway into Dunlewy.  There is a cafe and tourist shop at Inis Cois Locha, on the right, on the far side of the causeway, a grocery shop, a pub and a fine youth hostel in Dunlewy village, and of course Errigal ( which is hard to miss).

Distance    About 35 Km in all.  Time 3-3.5 hours

Route Section 2                             Dunlewy to Creeslough.

Continue with the Sli an Earagail, turning uphill past McGeady’s bar.  A steady climb leads over the shoulder of Errigal ( this part will change when this particularly fine section of the railway is renovated) and descent through a pretty glen, following the’ Route 1’ cycle signs for about 8KM to just beyond Lough Agannive.  Turn right, uphill, at Gr B 92600 25600 (if you reach the old Cashelnagor station you have gone too far).  Soon the scenery becomes even more dramatic.

Passing the fish farm below L.Altan, this minor road continues for about 4 km to Gr B 94500 28900, where descent can be made down a ramp, and back onto the old railway line.  This is only surfaced (with grit and stones) for 2 km to where it crosses the Falcarragh/ Muckish Gap Road R256 at Gr B 95700 30100.  2-2.5 hours from Dunlewy.

Passing a beautifully converted old railway station, continue on a tarmac road over a scenic bridge and rejoin the railway.  This continues, gradually uphill, past the N flanks of Muckish  mountain, and delightfully along the shores of L. Agher.  Stony in places, and passing through at least 2 cuttings, it descends to meet the access road to the N face of Muckish( about 6 km from the Falcarragh Road, and a leisurely half hour’s cycle).

 Across the road, the railway embankment is irresistible, but alas it doesn’t go far, and at the time of writing it was unsurfaced,  though easily bikeable.  A kilometre of bumpy grass and mud and you are obliged to descend back to the road, the line ahead being otherwise occupied with forestry and private dwellings.  Rejoin the road at a stile, and turn right. Descend past the quarry, Noreen Bawn’s Cottage (worth a detour) before turning right (signposted) at Derryharriff Glebe  Gr B 04100 32200.  Ignore the left fork (at a rock with a horse on it), and continue to a T junction, turn left, and descend into Creeslough, where there is a cafe, sadly uphill to the right!

Distance  40Km approx           Time 3.5-4 Hours