Glenveagh National Park

Glenveagh National Park covers 15,484 hectares of the Derryveagh Mountains, and native woodland clings to the lower slopes of the glen above Lough Veagh. Golden eagles, peregrines and red-throated divers breed here, and the dawn chorus in May is worth the early start.

The Derrylahan Nature Trail runs through the woodland, and the Lakeside Walk, the Upper Glen Walk and the Lough Insagh Walk take in the rest of the valley. The park is open year round and admission is free. The castle keeps its own hours and charges for a tour, so check before you build a day around it. The Local Link 271 bus between Burtonport and Letterkenny stops at the car park.