Start : Aras Ghleann Cholm Cille Hostel, Malin More, Co. Donegal, (F94 HH31)
(S) From the hotel, the trail continues East past the Aras Ghleann Cholm Cille Hostel along the road (L1025) for a couple hundred meters.
(1) It then takes a left (North-East) and follows the bumpy gravel road up the mountain. Climbing towards the high point there are great views of the sea, Leahan and Slieve League and the town of Gleann Cholm Cille come into view.
(2) The gravel road turns into pavement and continues into town. Gleann Cholm Cille is a small town with shops, restaurants, post office and hostel.
(3) After around 1.2 Km, the trail crosses the main road (R263) in the town and continues following the Sli Cholmcille trail signs. (Along L5055)
(4) Cross the river.
(5) After around 300 m, take a left (North-West) at the road junction with a loop walk marker. Continue towards the sea and pass beside the strand.
(6) Cross over a bridge. Views looking up towards beside Beefan and Garveross Mountain can be enjoyed here.
(7) Follow the looped walk posts to the right and pass behind a house and continue to climb.
(8) Walk past two more houses to reach a dirt track with a gate, go through the gate and continue to climb. Walk up several switch backs towards Glen Head. There are excellent views looking back at town.
(9) After reaching the highpoint a trail junction marked ‘Signal Tower’ takes you to a stone signal tower overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, with amazing views. Retrace your steps back down to the trail junction.
Take a left (North-East) here and climb the grassy track heading away from the coast. The trail is very wet and boggy in places but easy to follow and eventually the trail turns into an old road. Continue down to a junction.
(10) Take a right and head back down into town.
(11) The route then takes a left and continues up the old road towards some radio antennas.
(12) You then reach a high point where the views open up towards Port and down the valley to the East. The trail hugs the coastline here and the closer you get to Port the more spectacular the scenery becomes. There are countless views of the deep blue sea and the crashing waves against the rocks and coastline to be enjoyed.
The route crosses a stone bridge and continues towards Port, where you pass a memorial headstone in memory of a ship wreck from 1870.
(13) Cross another stone bridge and you are at Port. The trail continues up the gentle sloping road East and follows the river, before passing alongside Killyfanned Lough.
(14) Even though this is a road walk there are great views of rivers, lakes and the countryside. Reach Lougheraherk in the distance.
(15) Bear left (North) at the first road intersection. Walk around 1.7 Km to a road junction.
(16) Take a left and follow the road heading in between Slievetooey and Crockurra.
(17) The road ends and the trail continues along a track here. Pass through a gate and continue along the fence and Glen River where the trail hugs the small river. The terrain is rolling, very wet and boggy, so be prepared. Follow trail posts scattered across the countryside heading towards the north side of Crockurra.
You will reach a fence near the saddle of Crockurra, where you take a right following close to the fence. Continue to follow the fence when it heads left, the terrain levels off here and the views of the Maghera Strand, Loughs and countryside open up. The route crosses the fence and continues down towards a road far below.
(18) Turn left (North-Eas) and follow the pavement along the stunning valley until you reach the parking in centre of Maghera for around 3 Km. (E)
