Glengesh Pass
Glengesh Pass
4.5
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4.5
249 reviews
Excellent
180
Very good
52
Average
15
Poor
1
Terrible
1
Alibellderry
Derry, UK117 contributions
Sept 2022 • Couples
Beautiful views on way back down of valley.
Road is windy but easy to drive. Lovely viewing spot to stop for photos.
We visited after Maghera caves, via Sli Dhun na ngall Road & Meenaneary.
Road is windy but easy to drive. Lovely viewing spot to stop for photos.
We visited after Maghera caves, via Sli Dhun na ngall Road & Meenaneary.
Written 17 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
empathology
Rotterdam, The Netherlands617 contributions
Sept 2022
This beautiful pass is well-worth your time as you drive along the Wild Atlantic Way. The panoramic vista as you drive up the side of the glen is stunning (a little like the glens of Antrim). And when you reach the open moorland at the top, it's quite barren and rugged. Lovely, beautiful & wild
Written 21 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jess Talla
Montreal, Canada9 contributions
Nov 2019
not to be missed if traveling by car in the area. The sight from the bottom is larger than life and when you reach the top, you cant take your eyes off the view. Bring lunch and a thermos and chill on the benches looking down if you can.
Written 17 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
treaclebob
Belfast, UK376 contributions
The Glengesh Pass is a stunning mountain pass road in west Donegal between the heritage town of Ardara and the lovely village of Glencolumbcille. Travelling from Ardara take the road to Killybegs and the road through the pass is marked off to the right. At the bottom of the pass the road is very narrow through an area of assorted houses and, frankly, untidy and unlovely yards. But the higher you climb the more spectacular it gets. Just before the double hairpin bend there is a little religious site where you can park and pray/ pay your respects. Go through the double hairpin (which will test your driving skills) and then on up past another steep hairpin to the little picnic area at the top of the hill. This must be one of the most beautiful views in the world! It is also part of a waymarked trail (Sli Glengesh) for walkers and ramblers.
Written 23 October 2009
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
OWEN246
Longford, Ireland7 contributions
Sept 2011 • Friends
Located on the R230 road between Ardara and Glencolumbkille,8.5km from Ardara town,roughly a 10min drive.17km from Glencolumbkille 20min drive...approaching from Ardara is the uphill climb through the pass on a corkscrew road,whilst coming from the Carrick/Glencolumbkille direction is the downhill route. There is an area to pull in at the top of the pass to look down at the stunning view of the valley below between two high mountains, and a beautiful green floor to the valley.One note is that the road becomes a very steep climb up the pass to the viewing point, so if your not so used to narrow Irish mountainous roads,it maybe more advisable to approach from the Carrick/Glencolumbkille side of the pass.
Definatley worth a visit if your in county Donegal, one of the most beautiful views in the county,the nicer the day the nicer the day.
Definatley worth a visit if your in county Donegal, one of the most beautiful views in the county,the nicer the day the nicer the day.
Written 15 September 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Donal D
Dublin, Ireland17 contributions
Feb 2018 • Couples
This is a very picturesque area of Donegal, and my rating is in reference to it's beauty alone, as I have to warn against going in bad weather.
We very driving from Slieve League area through Glengesh Pass in February when the weather was more than Irish. It was only halfway into the Pass when the snow became quite thick, and at the same time the roads were becoming very winding and steep in places. In retrospect, I should have turned back but it was my first time in the area and didn't know the roads ahead.
The car began drifting on the snow and was very difficult to control around bends. Even crawling in first gear, it was struggling going both up and down slopes. One particular slide was very frightening as the car stalled less than two metres from a steep drop into the valley.
We ended up staying for a couple of hours in one spot as darkness fell, with absolutely no light of civilisation in sight. Eventually we made it through the remainder but not without full concentration and shaken nerves.
I would strongly recommend avoiding this whole area if there is snow or ice on the roads!
We very driving from Slieve League area through Glengesh Pass in February when the weather was more than Irish. It was only halfway into the Pass when the snow became quite thick, and at the same time the roads were becoming very winding and steep in places. In retrospect, I should have turned back but it was my first time in the area and didn't know the roads ahead.
The car began drifting on the snow and was very difficult to control around bends. Even crawling in first gear, it was struggling going both up and down slopes. One particular slide was very frightening as the car stalled less than two metres from a steep drop into the valley.
We ended up staying for a couple of hours in one spot as darkness fell, with absolutely no light of civilisation in sight. Eventually we made it through the remainder but not without full concentration and shaken nerves.
I would strongly recommend avoiding this whole area if there is snow or ice on the roads!
Written 18 February 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John W
28 contributions
June 2019 • Couples
A lovely drive with some breathtaking views. A couple of bits aren't for the faint hearted but I loved it. In June it was far from busy, might have been less fun if it was.
Written 12 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TomChatt
Los Angeles, CA121 contributions
Aug 2017 • Couples
On the way back from Glencolmcille to Donegal Town, we found it very worthwhile to take this scenic detour. Glengesh Pass is a dramatic view from a pull-out along the road, not necessarily something you would go to just for its own sake, but a beautiful road worth detouring on if you're exploring the Slieve League / Glencolmcille peninsula.
Written 9 October 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Janet P
Durham, NC179 contributions
May 2017 • Friends
True, we went in early May before it had 'greened up', but there were not any surprises on this hike. No turns revealing a gorgeous new scenic vista, pretty much straight down (and I mean down gradually for about 2 miles or so) and then you go out and up the same trail. We were hoping to see Golden Eagles but did not. There was a waterfall and you could hear water trickling down in spots but that is pretty much it. The high point of the hike was pretty much getting back to the high point again.
Written 9 May 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AnywhereButUtah
Bountiful, UT28 contributions
June 2013 • Friends
While heading to the town of Ardara, we had the misfortune of a missed turn and drove 15km down a back country road. We figured we would either reach the end of the road or end up in a little town selling tweed sweaters and scarves.....we ended up with one of the most scenic descents into Ardara thought the Glengesh Pass.
Do make sure get local advise on how to get to the top of the pass as it is more glorious coming down with the views of the valley than I imagine it is to ascend. CAUTION: there are hikers/trekkers and free range sheep so don't hit the hairpin turns without consideration that there are likely at-risk persons or animals that you would not want to harm and spoil your drive.
As of the writing of this review, I am still in Donegal and considering if I want to go back and drive the pass again it s so beautiful and our drive today was rain soaked and cloudy.....even that could not take away the overall wonderful experience of the play. This is a short but noteworthy drive on our time in Donegal.
Do make sure get local advise on how to get to the top of the pass as it is more glorious coming down with the views of the valley than I imagine it is to ascend. CAUTION: there are hikers/trekkers and free range sheep so don't hit the hairpin turns without consideration that there are likely at-risk persons or animals that you would not want to harm and spoil your drive.
As of the writing of this review, I am still in Donegal and considering if I want to go back and drive the pass again it s so beautiful and our drive today was rain soaked and cloudy.....even that could not take away the overall wonderful experience of the play. This is a short but noteworthy drive on our time in Donegal.
Written 23 June 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We have a full day/night on the route from Westport area to Giant's Causeway and planned on overnight in the Adara/Letterkenny area for one night. Is this reasonable and a worthwhile stop. We are thinking of driving the Glengesh Pass seeing some waterfalls and possibly visiting the Glenveagh National Park. Is this a worthwhile route or are the roads too meandering to be able to take this are in within the time span
Written 30 December 2017
And I didn't answer you about Glenveagh.... We stayed in Donegal two nights, then drove toward Glenveagh on our way to Lock Swilly. The weather was so bad that we couldn't go out on the coast to Malin Head or Fanad lighthouse, so we did go to visit Glenveagh. It was okay, but it was really an American built hunting lodge of the 1800's. Not really an "Irish" place. If you have been to a lot of historic homes, then I don't think that this would be a high priority for you. It's not like a Biltmore House, for instance.... It makes an okay visit for a very rainy, windy day when you have to stay off the coast, but other than that we would not have gone there.... (There are a ton more things to do in Donegal if you are interested in old Irish life....)
Written 31 December 2017
will be in bundoran next week will be going to ardara for day trip have hired a 26 seater for trip just wondering if road is suitable to take the glengesh pass route yours brian o neill
Written 8 June 2017
apologies for not replying to your question only saw message now. hope you enjoyed your trip
Written 30 June 2017
Dear Traveller,
it depends on which route you take. For example coming from Killybegs it can be done in say 20 minutes as it is all downhill but dangerous in wintertime because of snow and ice.
If coming from Ardara I would give myself 30 minutes as it is quite steep. We had a cycle race pass through here last week and it was like something you would see on the hill climbs of the Tour de France alpine stages. So in other words steep and winding which takes time in most cars or especially a Camper van.
Either way take your time and enjoy the views !
Written 29 May 2017
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