Donegal Camino is fast approaching with new routes added

The Donegal Camino which raises funds for Cancer Care West Services in Donegal is fast approaching.

The opening is set to take place on Sunday, September 1 at Malin Head. Now in its fourth year, the Camino has a mission to raise €100,000 for Cancer Care West.

The 7-day walking festival which takes in 7 contrasting walks across the magical highways and bi-ways of Donegal has a walk suitable for all fitness levels. 

Registration continues to remain open until late August with places filling up across the range of 7 walking routes from Malin Head to Europe’s highest accessible sea cliffs, Sliabh Liag in the Southwest of the county. 

The 2024 Donegal Camino itinerary features many familiar walks and as always there are plenty of new walks and hikes to explore the wealth of scenic routes across the county.  

Day 1 kicks off with a musical fanfare by the Inishowen Collective in Malin Head.

Day 2 takes in the breathtaking scenery and serenity of Ards Forest Park and Mikey Joe Harte will serenade walkers with some lovely tunes.

Day 3 features the unique experience of a sunrise climb of Errigal, Donegal’s highest peak when Donegal composer and fiddle player Matt Mc Granaghan will join hikers. This is weather permitting and the start time of 4.30am has the potential to change. 

The midweek point, Wednesday, takes Donegal Camino walkers into the heart of the Donegal Gaeltacht for a lovely island walk across Cruit Island. A magical day is expected with plenty of Donegal Musical surprises scheduled and a traditional Donegal Camino Gallaghers Bakehouse Picnic. 

Crohy Head and the Gay Byrne Trail or Cosán Gay Byrne a stunning walk with magical Wild Atlantic Way and Donegal Coastal views is scheduled for Day 5.

The weekend will bring Donegal Camino into south Donegal and the heart of the Donegal Town 550 celebrations with a magical walk of the Bluestack Way on Friday culminating in a fun celebration on the newly refurbished Diamond of Donegal Town. 

The traditional finale of the Donegal Camino on Saturday will once again be on Europe’s highest sea cliffs, Sliabh Liag. 

New to the Donegal Camino itinerary for 2024 is an alternative to the Sliabh Liag climb, an enjoyable Sliabh Liag Boat Trip with ticket donations going to Donegal Camino’s fundraising for Cancer Care West Donegal.

 Organisers of the Donegal Camino welcome all donations, small or large and encourage everyone to put the “fun” in “fundraising” for Donegal Camino 2024 as each step walked from Sunday, September 1 to Saturday, September 7  goes towards achieving the target of a €100,000 donation for Cancer Care West Services in Donegal. Since 2021 the Donegal Camino has raised €160,000 for the cancer charity.