28/12/2024

The Appalachian trail is often presumed to be in North America only, but as the trail itself is defined by a geology far older than our modern geography, there are trails right through Ireland, Scotland and Scandinavia that were once connected.
As a double bonus, part of the Irish Appalachian Trail is essentially the Northern part of the Wild Atlantic Way, so most hikers will stumble across it one way or the other. However, what I think makes the Irish trails - both IAT and WAW unique are the added cultural and historical and linguistic features, from Neolithic tombs to Napoleonic Towers, roofless 19th Century cottages and famine walls and slipways, Irish place names and Irish mythological explanations for many of the features, memorials to drowned shipmen, Madonnas and Saint Patricks supervising the harbours, ~ so much more than just a hike in the hills.
The Irish Appalachian trail begins near Bunglass Point, County Donegal, and crosses the cliffs of Slieve League & Glencolmcille before routing east into Northern Ireland. In Northern Ireland the trail heads north to the coast at Castlerock, following it, with occasional treks into the hills, right across to Larne in County Antrim. This short part of the trail pictured is at An Port in Southwest Donegal, December 27 2024. An incredible ramble- unfortunately no dogs allowed on this section ( presumably because of the sheep but disappointing that on-lead not permitted) so no furry fellows for you today.
#donegal #studyabroadireland #anport #appalachiantrail #ireland #wildatlanticway