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Glencolmcille - Drum Loop
Gleann Cholm Cille, Co. Donegal
Free to visit
Drum Loop walk climbs around the eastern summit of Beefin and Gaveross Mountain before going down again towards the village through the townland of Drum along a steep track, and rejoining the Tower Loop.

A-B. From the trailhead at Ionad Siúil follow the red (and blue) arrows onto a minor road with signposts for Tobar Cholmcille. The blue arrows are for the shorter Lúb an Túir. After 100m turn left at a T-junction and after another 400m turn left at a 3-way junction. Continue to follow the red and blue arrows as the loop takes you away from the village in the direction of Beefan Mountain. After approx 2km the loops leave surfaced roadways and join a stony mountain road at a metal gate. It is a short detour here for Tobar Cholmcille (St Columba’s Well) - the loop continues straight and uphill.

B-C. Continue to follow the red and blue arrows as the mountain road ascends. After approx 2km you reach a point where you have a chance to take a spur (left) to the Túr (a Signal Tower). The trip will add about 40mins to your walk - but it’s well worth it for the spectacular views. The loops continue to follow (sometimes faint) mountain roads across a summit and then descend to reach a surfaced roadway. Here the Lúb an Túir (blue arrows) turns right and downhill – but you turn left and uphill.

C-D. Now follow the red arrows as the loop ascends for 1km to reach a mast where you leave the surfaced roadway and turn right onto a bog road. This road sweeps around the shoulder of Drum Hill and then desends to join a surfaced road and turn right. After 1km you rejoin the Lúb an Túir at a sharp left bend.

D-A. Continue to follow the blue and red arrows as the loops descend via minor roads to return to the trailhead.

Trail details

Type:
Walking Trail
Location:
Glencolmcille Loops
Grade:
Strenuous
Format:
Loop
Length:
6.90km
Ascent:
440m
Dogs allowed:
No
    Time:4 hours
    Nearest town start:Glencolmcille
    Nearest town finish:Glencolmcille
    Start point:Glencolmcille Fire Station
    Finish point:Glencolmcille Fire Station
    Waymarking:Red arrow
    Facilities:Parking: At trailhead.
    No services at trailhead. Public toilets at train station in Banteer.
Contact details
Glencolmcille Fire Station, Kilaned, Glencolumbkille, Co. Donegal, Ireland
Leave no trace
  • Plan ahead and prepare
  • Be considerate of others
  • Respect farm animals and wildlife
  • Travel and camp responsibly
  • Leave what you find
  • Dispose of waste properly
  • Protect nature from fire
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