Glenveagh Castle is a castellated Victorian mansion of local granite, built between 1867 and 1873 and set beside Lough Veagh in the heart of the Derryveagh Mountains. Free to enter, the park pairs a romantic castle garden with ancient oak woodland, blanket bog and hill trails.
About 11 hectares of designed garden with 5km of paths, started in 1890 by Cornelia Adair and enriched by Henry McIlhenny: exotic trees, garden ornaments and a colourful walled garden. Azaleas and rhododendrons peak in May and June.
A mostly flat 3.5km gravel path from the bus shelter near the Visitor Centre along the shores of Lough Veagh, ending at the Castle Gardens. Walk one way and return by shuttle bus.
An easy 2km looped gravel track near the Visitor Centre, passing native and planted Scots pine woodland and blanket bog, with fine views of the glen. Allow about 45 minutes.
Perhaps the best short walk: a steep 1km loop starting behind the castle, giving superb views of the castle, Lough Veagh and the surrounding mountains. Allow 35–60 minutes.
An 8km one-way, strenuous route through the Derryveagh Mountains, the most easily negotiated natural pass through the glen. Look for derelict settlements and native oak woodland; arrange a pickup or walk back.
The Visitor Centre holds free daily exhibitions on national parks, the golden eagle project and the Derryveagh Evictions. An electric shuttle bus links it to the castle and gardens daily at regular intervals.
Built between 1867 and 1873 by John Townsend Trench and modelled on early Irish tower houses, the castle is a granite Victorian retreat. Self-guided tours run with a booklet available in several languages and in braille; no advance booking is possible.
A 7km strenuous walk along the old pony-and-trap road from the castle towards Church Hill. Watch for red deer, golden eagles and ravens; it ends near the Glebe Gallery in Gartan.
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