Outdoor Activities

  • All-Weather Football Pitch
  • Please call the Centre for bookings.
  • Community Garden
  • Free wee Library
  • Fairy Garden
  • Play Area
  • Polytunnel

The above walkways begin and end at Ionad Naomh Pádraig. These walks follow footpaths, tranquil roads and attractive old bog paths and are suitable for all ages and abilities. They are also of historical importance as it is part of an old route used between Gaoth Dobhair and Na Rossa.

The path between the fences stretching up from the head of the Gaoth to Dobhar is one of the nicest features of the walk. People on both sides of the Gaoth have used this path in the past to attend Jack's Fair and Braighní's Fair and also to bring the deceased to Tullaghobegley cemetery during the famine.

Anyone looking for scenery will not be disappointed as there are beautiful views of the North West coast of Donegal from a few locations on the walk.

Siulóid An Chlocháin Bhig

A-B. Exiting Ionad Naomh Pádraig, turn right and follow the green (and purple) arrows along the road. The purple arrows are for the longer Lúb Loch na Caillí. After 50m turn right and join a stony road - this was the old railway line. This ends near a bridge where the loop turns right, travels another 150m to reach the N56. Cross with care and join a bog road by the side of houses. Continue to follow the green and purple arrows for 500m to a junction with another stony road where Lúb Loch na Caillí turns left. You continue straight ahead.

B-C. After another 500m you reach a crossroads where the purple loop rejoins from the left (having travelled 4km along bog roads!). Continue straight at the crossroads and continue to follow the green and purple arrows along the Old Bog Road for 1.5km to join the N56 once again. Cross with care and turn left. After 100m turn right onto a minor roadway and walk for 1km to a 3-way junction near a bridge on your left. Continue straight on here.

C-A. After 200m the loop leaves the surfaced roadway and turns right onto the bank of an estuary. Follow the arrows as the loop sweeps right and after 100m cross a small stream at An Clochain Bhig - an ancient crossing after which this loop is named. Immediately after the ‘clochain’ the loop joins a green laneway but there is a short spur to the left here called Lala Harden’s Walk. [This out-and-back trek along the estuary is well worth the extra 20mins it takes.]. The laneway takes you uphill to reach the R257 - cross with care and turn right. It’s only 300m back to the trailhead.

Lúb Loch Na Caillí

A-B. Exiting Ionad Naomh Pádraig, turn right and follow the purple (and green) arrows along the road. The green arrows are for the shorter Lúb an Clochain Bhig. After 50m turn right and join a stoney road - this was the old railway line. This ends near a bridge where the loop turns right, travels another 150m to reach the N56. Cross with care and join a bog road by the side of houses. Continue to follow the green and purple arrows for 500m to a junction with another stony road where Lúb an Clochain Bhig continues straight ahead - but you turn left.

 

B-C. Now follow the purple arrows as the loop takes you on a pleasant trip on bog roads across Cnoc Glas and by Loch na Caillí (The Hag’s Lake) - with fine views of the surrounding countryside. After 4km you rejoin Lúb an Clochain Bhig at a ‘crossroads’ of bog roads and turn left.

 

C-D. Continue to follow the green and purple arrows along the Old Bog Road for 1.5km to join the N56 once again. Cross with care and turn left. After 100m turn right onto a minor roadway and walk for 1km to a 3-way junction near a bridge on your left. Continue straight on here.

 

Siúloid Cois an Ghaoth

A short out-and-back walk leaving from Ionad Naomh Pádraig, turn right after leaving INP and walk on for 300m before crossing over(left) at the signpost. This will take you on to a greenway which leads down to the estuary (Gaoth River). Turn right at the estuary and follow the signposts along the river as far as the picnic area.