Mountains, lakes, wild Atlantic scenery and a strong sense of Irish culture make northwest Donegal a fantastic destination for an adventure closer to home.
Sitting at the foot of magnificent Errigal Mountain in Dunlewey, An Óige’s Errigal Hostel puts you right in the middle of it all. Located in the Donegal Gaeltacht and along the Wild Atlantic Way, the hostel overlooks Lough Nacung and the Derryveagh Mountains and offers an affordable base for walkers, families, couples, photographers and anyone who simply wants to escape into nature.
With private rooms and dormitories, a self-catering kitchen and spectacular mountain views, you can keep accommodation and food costs down while spending your days discovering one of Ireland’s most beautiful regions.
Here are five things to put on your list.
1. Climb Errigal Mountain
When you’re staying beneath Donegal’s most famous mountain, it’s difficult to resist the temptation to climb it.
Standing 751 metres high, Errigal is the tallest mountain in Donegal and one of the county’s most recognisable landmarks. The mountain is part of the Seven Sisters range and its distinctive pointed summit dominates the landscape around Dunlewey.
The hike is around 4km and takes regular hikers just over two hours, according to Discover Ireland. As you climb, the views become increasingly impressive, stretching across Dunlewey Lough, the Poisoned Glen and the surrounding mountains.
It’s a proper mountain hike, however, so come prepared. Good footwear, suitable clothing and checking the weather before setting off are essential. You should also be prepared to turn back if conditions deteriorate.
On a clear day, reaching the summit is one Donegal experience you won’t forget.
2. Spend a Day Exploring Glenveagh National Park
Another major attraction within easy reach of Errigal Hostel is Glenveagh National Park, set among the spectacular Derryveagh Mountains.
It’s an ideal destination when you want to spend a full day outdoors without necessarily tackling a mountain summit. Explore the park on foot, enjoy the scenery around Lough Beagh or visit Glenveagh Castle and its beautiful gardens.
The wider park encompasses mountains, woodland, lakes and valleys and is home to wildlife including red deer.
Pack a lunch in the hostel’s self-catering kitchen before heading out and you have the makings of a wonderfully inexpensive day in the Donegal countryside.
3. Discover Dunlewey and the Poisoned Glen
You don’t have to travel far from the hostel to find extraordinary scenery.
Dunlewey sits between Errigal and the dramatic Poisoned Glen, an area of mountains, lakes and sweeping landscapes that seems made for photographers.
One place worth visiting is Ionad Cois Locha, the Dunlewey heritage and activity centre. Here you can learn more about traditional life in the area through demonstrations and heritage experiences, while families can enjoy a range of activities. Boat trips on Dunlewey Lake provide another way of seeing the landscape and hearing some of the folklore associated with the area.
For something more adventurous, kayaking experiences are also available locally, offering the chance to get out on the water surrounded by Errigal and the Poisoned Glen.
4. Experience Donegal’s Gaeltacht Culture
One of the things that makes a stay at Errigal particularly special is its location in the Donegal Gaeltacht.
Irish language, music, stories and traditions remain an important part of life here, giving visitors an opportunity to experience a side of Donegal that goes far beyond its scenery.
An Óige highlights the hostel’s Gaeltacht setting as an opportunity for visitors to immerse themselves in Irish language, music, dancing and culture.
Even learning and using a few words of Irish during your visit can add something to the experience. A friendly Dia dhuit, go raibh maith agat or slán is a good place to start.
It’s a reminder that exploring Ireland isn’t only about discovering new landscapes — it can also be about discovering the language, heritage and traditions that make each region distinctive.
5. Walk Part of Slí an Earagail
If climbing Errigal has whetted your appetite for more walking, you’ll have plenty of options.
Slí an Earagail is a 76.2km waymarked route through this spectacular part of Donegal, passing through moorland and alongside lakes while offering views towards the Atlantic and its islands.
The entire route is a bigger undertaking, but you don’t have to walk all 76km to enjoy it. Dunlewey is both the official start and finish point of the loop, and Errigal Hostel is specifically listed as nearby accommodation for walkers.
Choose a manageable section, pack some food and water and enjoy a few hours exploring on foot before returning to the hostel.
Make Errigal Your Base for a Donegal Adventure
The beauty of staying at Errigal Hostel is just how much adventure is waiting outside.
You can climb Donegal’s highest mountain one day, wander through Glenveagh National Park the next, paddle across a lake, discover the Poisoned Glen or simply spend an afternoon exploring the surrounding Gaeltacht.
And after a busy day, you can return to the hostel, cook dinner in the shared self-catering kitchen and relax while taking in panoramic views of Errigal and the Derryveagh Mountains. The hostel offers both dormitory and private accommodation, making it an affordable option for solo travellers, couples, families and groups.
Sometimes a great Irish holiday doesn’t need expensive hotels or elaborate plans. A comfortable bed, a pair of walking boots and one of Ireland’s wildest landscapes on your doorstep can be more than enough.
Plan your stay with An Óige – Errigal Hostel and make northwest Donegal your next affordable adventure.