Wild Camping Ireland | Maghera to Glenlough | Donegal
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- Опубликовано: 21 окт 2024
- A first wild camp of 2023 took me to SW Donegal. Starting at the beautiful Maghera Strand and climbing along the cliffs stretching south to Glenlough Bay. A walk of 27km with 1,400m of ascent/descent, taking in sandy beaches, storm beaches, corrie loughs, cliffs, rivers and mountain tops. A peaceful bivy camp💤 beside the Glenlough River despite the windy weather💨
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Maghera Strand
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Gull Island
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Thanks for this which is a superb way to start Irish-American Heritage Month over here. Brilliant wild camp!
Cheers Yvonne👍 It was a brilliant wild camp and Irish-American Heritage Month sounds pretty cool👍
Hello "Walking & Wild Camping In Ireland"! Thank you for showing us such a wonderful video! I feel so happy! I'm looking forward to your next work! Have a nice day!
Thank you👍😊
Great coastal walk and wild camp! I really enjoyed seeing the sandy bay, the rugged sea stacks, and the powerful waves crashing up on the rocks. It sure was windy- nice camping spot out of the weather and right by the water. Beautiful! Fun to follow along, thanks! 😄👍👍
Cheers Jennifer👍 |Some of our best coastline, all it is missing are those magnificent forests you have over there - though maybe they will come back one day now we are more focused on nature. A great place to just be away from the hustle and bustle of usual life😊
Very interesting sharing!
Watching and getting pleasure 😊
Thank you for watching and getting pleasure👍👍
0:56 You're not far wrong Gerry, I spent Christmas in Martinique and Maghera certainly looks similar but you're totally correct about the discrepancies in temperatures. lol
Phenomenal footage Gerry, another gem of a video.
Cheers Damien👍 I definitely wouldn't compare Martinique with Maghera weather wise😊 It looks the part though doesn't match up in how it feels❄😊 A beautiful place though👍
What an absolutely visual feast for the eyes, you captured it perfectly, the pitch looked superb, plenty of water for your 15 mugs of tea and ginger nuts, though id say that pitch is stricly a winter and early spring pitch as Satans spawn will claim ownership in the summer months. Fair play Gerry that looked a tough enough hike not withstanding the dangers of solo sojorn in the wilds. Enjoyed this one mate, ATVB Colin
Cheers Colin👍 I have to remember the ginger nuts for the next trip😊 It is midge central there in the warmer months, though that wind would have kept them well at bay too😊 It is simply stunning all along that coastline and I have found that each trip brings its own unique character so it is not one to get tired of. It was tough enough going, especially pushing on to Glenlough before darkness - all that stopping to film adds hours to a trip😊
That was lovely Gerry! Watching the wild Atlantic mixed with wind, sunshine, mountains and corries makes for some dramatic viewing from the sofa 😊 It looks like the February midges were undercover and attacking your pillow and boots through the night 🤕 A fab start to 2023 camping - your coastal shots inevitably pull at my heart to draw me west again...looked like a great hike and camp!!
Cheers Miriam👍 We cant blame the midges🦟 for everything😊 It would have been much easier without the wind (certainly for filming) though the walk and its flavour would have been much different then. We both know these walks take a toll on all sorts of gear either through wear/tear or the environment/weather. As I said before west is best😊
Amazing! Thank you!
Cheers Dee👍 It is an amazing place and it was pretty cool to be able to spend a couple of days there taking it all in (wind and all)😊
Great to see another one of your videos Mr Gerry🙂 What a gorgeous place 👀
Cheers Troy👍 Haven't been wild camping since Nov and this made me realise how important it is for me to get out and do this regularly, especially in somewhere that beautiful👍😊
Great video Gerry, some brilliant spots and views.
Cheers Patrick👍 That is an amazing coastline and a place worth visiting on a regular basis👍
Beautiful walk Gerry. Im not usually a coastal fan but my word that is a beautiful coastline. Thanks for taking us with you.
Alyn, you can learn to love it if you practice it often enough😊 Coast with hills = cool👍
@@gerrymcveigh ha ha ha. This is true. Its a beach thing I think. Im not a beach and sea fan. Must go exploring the coast more often
Port to Maghera is a great walk.
Shane, it has to be one of the best coastal walks in Ireland👍
I'll be following your footsteps on the 18th March for the Ardara Walking Festival. Hopefully we'll get the weather. 🤞
Amazing views Gerry. Apart from the pillow I see your boot came apart, nightmare! You got great weather and a fine pitch. Great watch.
Cheers👍 Superglue has sorted the boots out (for now😊). It was a great trip and the only thing I would have changed would be to turn down the wind a few notches😊 That area of Donegal is absolutely breath-taking.
This was such a beautiful place to hike and sleep, I lost the outdoor shower 🤭 The different lochs looked stunning from up high and i loved the waterfall and the place where you sat drinking water. This coastal walk was stunning but I agree cold and hard . Great video to watch 👍 ~ Anna
Cheers Anna👍 I might return in summer for that shower🚿😊 It is a beautiful place for walking, exploring and wild camping and well worth the effort needed👍
Great walk Gerry thanks for that, rather you than me that looks like tough going, keep up the good work and stay safe 👍
Cheers Gary, it was a cracking walk👍 and well worth the effort to walk those places I hadn't been before as well as visiting some familiar sites😊
Brilliant viewing Gerry
Cheers Adrian, has to be one of the top places in Ireland for walking in terms of coast and hills👍
A man after my own ❤
Beautiful place and the weather makes it even more special.
Why can I smell smoke from a fire watching this? 🤔
It is a superb stretch of coastline👍 I could have done without that wind (esp for filming) though it was all good in the end😊 Not sure about your sense of smell.
Wonderful as always Gerry, that waterfall at 9.57 was fantastic, may need to go there.
Peter, a majestic stretch of coastline👍 That waterfall was way cool near to Gull Island as it dropped quite a distance down to the coast👍
Love the smile amid the storm gerry. Gotta say fantastic start - Ireland does it again with it's coast. Shame about more fences later but I dig the special forces way they're doing it. Wow, them rivers gerry take you to some great places - like dogs. Ha ha! What a waterfall - would love to come across that. But Gull Island - far out! Well, a great pitch the morning revealed and with some tough walking some more awesome coast. You're the coast king. Good going gerry. Brilliant stuff. Mark
Cheers Mark👍 You have to smile with whatever nature brings your way😊 You cant beat all that water, whether it is flowing to the coast or hitting against it🌊 It was a cool trip and long overdue, though the weather hasn't been the best over here.
@@gerrymcveigh A pleasure gerry. Yeah, 'can't wish the wind away,' I say. Well, we are waterlings so it's easy to see the fascination. And what better place. Good to hear of the trip.
Yup pretty much the same when I was there 😂😂 that Waterfall was fantastic with a good drop
Ben, lots of cool waterfalls around there and you have captured some of them beautifully from the air👍😊
Class Gerry, those views over the beach and cliffs are stunning and those corrie loughs look like brilliant wee spots for a camp! Loved your camp, seemed like the perfect wee nook for a nights sleep💤! Gutted to hear about your pillow, I got one a while back as it seemed really good value for the features, to be fair mines not getting the use yours is though! Thanks for sharing another great trip!
Cheers Gary👍 It is a superb walk with so much to take in and there were plenty of other places I could have camped along the way. Put the pillow in water and there seems to be air coming out over quite an area so not sure if it was faulty to start with - will try to patch it up as it is a cracking pillow👍
Hi Gerry, excellent video. For someone who doesn't use a drone, your footage is always up there on a par with the drone users. I'm impressed that even in winter weather, you still use a bivy 🥶. Take care 👍
Cheers Andrew👍 Drone footage always looks cool though it just isn't for me😊 It wasn't too cold and I had enough layers on to have slept out in the open😊
Camera's are bad enough without the stress of a drone 😅. You make your camera do an excellent job capturing the landscape. 👍
Donegal - what a county! The view of the cliffs above Gull Island was incredible. I've actually just returned my blue Trekology pillow for a refund after it started deflating after a single use. I have another one of theirs though that's still going strong after a couple of years...
An amazing bit of coastline there in Donegal👍 The pillow seems to be leaking air from several of the little dimples underneath so I would say it is a fault. Am going to try taping it up to see if it will stop the air loss🤞
Hi Gerry, some beautiful views of the coastline and area, especially when the weather was fair. So many remote or mountainous areas are being fenced off and access to some prohibited. I'm not sure why, however if stiles are provided that's a great help, otherwise difficult to negotiate without damaging the fence or yourself. 👍👌
Cheers Aidan, it is hard to get 'perfect' weather that far out west and there is often wind or rain that no where else gets. There is plenty of conversation about the marginal nature of sheep farming in upland areas and how different support mechanisms could encourage a more diverse upland - I literally saw 3 or 4 trees on this entire trip!
Hi Gerry. I had to look up Google Map to see where you were. I've never been way over there! We've got as far as Dungloe and Donegal town but that's it. You have whetted my appetite. We loved Inishshowen but where you were looks equally fabulous. I can't think of anyone anywhere who has such an overall knowledge of Ireland's 'hiking' mountains/lakes/coastlines. I was thinking about your stove Gerry! lol That was some dander Gerry. You take care man!
Tom, Maghera, An Port, Glencolumcille, Malin Beg, Slieve League are all fantastic places along this stretch of coast in SW Donegal. Definitley on a par with Inishowen👍 It was a great wee walk and it was good to be back out wild camping after a break of a few months👍
As you know it's really frustrating when you can't get doing something you love doing Gerry. Go to it!! lol
Class. Something i hope to do in a few years.
A beautiful stretch of coast from Maghera to Glencolumcille that can be broken down into smaller parts or you can go for broke the whole way👣😊
Simply stunning Gerry, I was only wondering the other day when your next video would be out. I`ll be riding through that area in Sept when I`m over there on my bike for a week. I was going to do the south coast but changed my mind. I`ll be riding from Belfast to a B&B in Moville then working my way around to Westport for the next five days, I`ll be camping the rest of that week !
I could never tire of your videos, I always look forward to youe next masterpiece ! Thanks for sharing ! 😃😃
Cheers Martin👍 I haven't been out wild camping since Nov so it was good to get back out😊 North & West is definitely a good bet in my book👍 Thank you for the positivity👍😊
Beautiful Gerry 😍 It's hard to believe how beautiful this area is but you've managed to capture it perfectly 👌 I'm off for 4 days this weekend and trying to decide where to go for a wild camp, I think this has made my mind up 😊
Cheers Niall👍 You have been at An Port so know how stunning that area is. It is much quieter and remote heading north along the coast to Glenlough and the tops of Slievetooey👍 Enjoy wherever you go😊 Next weekend is looking good weather wise👍
Awesome view very beautiful
Thank you👍 It is a very special place with stunning scenery that provides an opportunity to be present and immediate with the surroundings👍
Ah yes Maghera Beach. Lovely spot. It was very windy and rainy when I was last there. Sounds like a lovely day you have planned.
Ben, it is a beautiful spot, though I think the wind is a permanent feature there🌬😊
@@gerrymcveigh haha... Do you manage to sleep through the night?
Sometimes😊
Stunning coastline Gerry. Defo want to visit there someday like. Ma pals family are from Annagry/Dungloe and we've been meaning to go over for years.
Kevin, lovely around that area too, though that just about sums up most of Donegal👍
I did that very route with the blue pipe last year lol great to see again the lovely lough :) great video great place
Cheers Merky👍 it is a cool way up into the hills. Did you take the shower🚿😊
@@gerrymcveigh :) naw lol
Great video Gerry 👍
Cheers👍 It was great to be out wild camping again after a break off for a few months😊
Great video Gerry. One of my favourite places to hike in.
Adrian, that coast from Maghera to Glencolumcille is probably the place I have wild camped most in all of Ireland. It is just stunning and so quiet and remote, not often I would meet other people in those parts😊
@@gerrymcveigh I wild camped at Glenlough Bay last year for a bit of peace and quiet #donegalrally
Awesome spot and definitely peace and quiet👍
Class as usual Gerry beautiful scenery, you've got me searching Google Maps to see how to get to Maghera Strand lovely place. I think i will visit in the summer....😆😆😆👍👍
I would say it would be worth bringing the metal detector to that beach in the summer☀👍
Wow some stunning scenery there Gerry.
Ben, as we both know that whole area is beautiful and well worth a visit👍
@@gerrymcveigh lovely place. Glad I found it. Most people don't know about it.
Nice one Gerry. Your coastal shots are class. I have no idea why anyone would need a fence there, I'm sure there is a good reason because those Apache helicopters are not cheap 😄 You may grab yourself some new boots too. Really enjoyed this one, cheers 👍
Cheers Jason👍 There is some amazing coastal walking in that area, even if you are buzzed by helicopters occasionally🚁😊 Hopefully I can get that heel reattached as they are my go to boots - really light leather so can deal with pretty much anything without to0 much weight on the feet.
@@gerrymcveigh do you mind me asking what the brand or model is? For them to be your go to boots with all the hiking that you do, they must be good. It's good to see you back out and about 👍
They are Scarpa. Have tried a few pairs of lightweight fabric boots over the past few years, they are great as you don't even know you are wearing them though they just do not last the pace and start to come apart. Have had these Scarpa's for years and they are pretty light and robust with the leather. Hopefully the sole will stick back as they are fine apart from that.
@@gerrymcveigh I wonder do scarpa have a repair service? That could be an idea, it would be great if they did. I've gone through a few pairs of boots now so the next ones will be leather. I'm looking at the Lowa renegades but I'll check out Scarpa boots and see if I can find a pair. Cheers Gerry
Was on this beach a few years back, and it is stunning, but there is a very dangerous rip current on this beach on the left hand side that can surprise many people. Its only about 10 ft wide but very fast and powerful, you can never swim against it, I already tried that lol, and was moving about an inch every 10 seconds so better to just swim across it. Anyway great video as always Gerry
Cheers 👍 It is a beautiful beach and has so much sand to walk across when the tide is out. There are prominent warnings about the dangers of swimming there, as you have experienced, though you can see how tempting it would be to get in those waters.
Fantastic views. Thanks so much for sharing. Is there a proper trail to follow? Looks quite remote 🙂
Cheers Christian👍 There is a bit of a trail up to the first corrie lough (Lough Acruppan) alongside the blue water pipe then it is freestyle all the way😊 I rarely meet anyone walking these parts and that was certainly the case on this trip. It is probably best to head into places like this with some company as it would be a long wait if there was an injury.
@@gerrymcveigh Yes, you don't want to twist your ankle when hiking alone there, that's for sure. How is it like to sleep in one of those bivis? Do you get a good some good rest in there? Must be a lot of condensation.
I haven't had any issue with condensation as yet with the Alpkit bivy as they are both waterproof and breathable. That has been in weather from below freezing, rain showers and warmer weather too. I am usually pretty warm and comfortable, though the tent is better for any particulalry wet weather with the porch for storage and cooking. My sleep can be hit and miss either in tents or in the bivy.
Have just recently discovered your videos after reading many of your walk reviews on MV. Totally inspirational and give me good ideas for new areas to explore. Do you use paper maps or a GPS gadget? Thanks so much.
Cheers Rhonda👍 I have to admit that I mostly use mapping software (Outdoor Active) to plan and track my trips. It does mean bringing a power bank to keep my phone charged. On some trips I would also bring a paper map and I always carry a compass. Thank you again😊
Want to camp in glenlough this weekend! Looks beaut. Any info or tips for me? We'll be driving up
You can either park at An Port or Glencolumcille depending on how much of a walk in you want or Maghera Beach if you want an even longer and rougher walk in! There are a few possible camp sites at Glenlough - I have camped beside the Glenlough River or just up from it on the headland at the eastern side of Glenlough Bay - it is pretty flat with loads of room though exposed if there is wind. Explore and find your own spot - the river is never too far away for a source of water. have a great adventure😊
@@gerrymcveigh Thanks so much for the info! And sorry for the late reply.
I was wondering if you have any experience starting from Sligo and heading towards Belmullet? Just that stretch of North West seems nice, so any info or thoughts on that would be highly appreciated :)
Sorry, I'm not trying to sound negative about this but my advice would be not to change anything you've come across from what it's current state is. Because you closed that valve up top, you airlocked the water system which shut the water supply off for all the houses, outhouses & feeders in Maghera for a substantial length of time. It was added to stop airlocks being created & I had to follow the water line from start to finish to check what the problem was!
Paul, sincere apologies and lesson learnt.
I was thinking that valve was opened for a reason although to be fair to him, most people would think an animal would have knocked into it and opened it.
When you went up to open it again, bring yourself a nice wee stump of timber and a sign to explain why it's opened because surely someone will close it again if they see it or an animal could even bump into it and close it.
Just love this area, thanks to your good self Gerry :-) Followed one of your videos a few years ago from the opposite side to Glenlough bay and have now returned a couple of times since.
Love this alternative and interesting approach. I’ve been memorised with the Corrie loughs in the area and only saw Croaghballaghdown from a height. Was there much level ground round it? Planning to be back soon so must try this one too! Thank you for posting.
Pat, really cool that you have been exploring this beautiful area too👍 Coming from An Port is perhaps still my favourite though this isn't far behind and feels even more remote. I have found it really cool to start building visits to some of the corrie loughs in to my trips. Not sure if there was any ground for camping at Croaghballghdown though it was cool to visit and look up instead of looking down😊 i will probably be back again too😊
@@gerrymcveigh it’s just unbelievable how many beautiful loughs I come across on my travels that aren’t suitable for putting up a tent due to the surrounding ground. Think I really need to invest in a decent bivvy bag this year but am slightly put off by our good ol friends ( the midges - I remember being up at Lough Annafrin in the area one summer and was literally chewing on Midges it was that bad , couldn’t stay still for 10 seconds ) - Also don’t like the idea of getting thrashed by some unsuspecting weather before bedtime! Really feel like it’s something I need to try though. Whether I sleep or not would be a different story! Takes a certain breed for bivvies :-)))
The loughs usually look really inviting from above and aren't quite the same up close and personal😊 I like having the choice of the tent or the bivy and would often carry both (the bivy only weighs about 300g). The bivy is brilliant with the right weather and no midges😊
Was it free to park at Maghera Strand? And was it a safe spot to park overnight Gerry?
Billy, it was free to park, though not sure if that changes in the summer months. I wouldn't have a worry about parking there overnight as it is quite a journey out to Maghera from the main road. I had no bother, though again this may change in the height of summer when it is probably much busier. I usually leave a note to say I am camping overnight too - to avoid anyone calling the emergency services.