Glengesh Pass

Glengesh, the glen of the swans, is a deep U-shaped valley in south-west Donegal, and the road between Ardara and Glencolmcille crosses its rim at around 270 metres before dropping in a set of tight hairpins to the floor. There is a lay-by at the top where almost everyone stops, looking straight down the length of the valley with the road visible switching back below - it is one of the more photographed views in Donegal and takes about ten minutes to appreciate. The valley itself is farmed, with scattered houses, sheep and stone walls, and the slopes above are heather and bog. The descent is steep with blind bends and no barrier on the outer edge in places; it is manageable in a car in good conditions and unpleasant in fog, ice or in anything large. There are no facilities at the viewpoint or in the valley.

What's there

• The hairpins - the road switching back down the valley wall.
• The viewpoint - the lay-by at the rim looking down the glen.
• The valley floor - farmed ground with scattered houses and stone walls.
• The slopes - heather and bog rising on both sides.

When to go

April to October. In fog the view is gone and the descent is worse. Winter ice makes the hairpins genuinely hazardous. Ten minutes at the top covers it.

Practical notes

A roadside stop, not a walk - there is nowhere to go from the viewpoint. Steep hairpins with blind bends and no barrier in places, unsuitable for large vehicles. No facilities.

Nearby

Ardara is north-east; Glencolmcille and Slieve League are west and south.

Key facts