Ballyliffin: Golf, Coast and Walking Trails

Ballyliffin brings together golf and several trails that start in the village, nearby Pollan Bay and traces of local history. If you’re looking for a hotel in Ballyliffin, it helps to organise your plans around these highlights: golf, the beach, walks or local history. Differences in route length and seasonal natural attractions provide a practical guide.

Golf and the coast around Ballyliffin

Pollan Links is a nine-hole par-3 course designed by Pat Ruddy at Ballyliffin Golf Club. Nearby Pollan Bay has a long sandy beach for various water sports, especially windsurfing. A beach path runs alongside Ballyliffin Golf Club and leads to Carrickabraghey Castle on the Isle of Doagh. Pollan Bay also provides access to Binion Hill, a designated walking area for nature lovers and hill walkers. This gives you a choice of different highlights: golf, the beach and water sports, or a walking area.

Compare routes by distance

Several named walking trails start at the information sign in Ballyliffin village. The Mullagh Way is 2.7 km long, passes the abandoned village of Mullagh and offers views of Glashedy and Carrickabraghey Castle. The Coastal Pathway is 9.5 km long, including the return journey; The Druids Road is 10 km, and The Highway to the Castle is 15 km. The listed distances therefore range from the 2.7 km Mullagh Way to the 15 km Highway to the Castle. The abandoned village and the views mentioned above are additional points of interest along the Mullagh Way.

For cyclists, the Blue Route is a separate option: this difficult circular route is 157 km long and passes through Ballyliffin. As trail conditions can change, check the latest situation before setting out.

Nature and local history

At the end of summer, large numbers of eider ducks arrive at Pollan Bay near Ballyliffin; their numbers can vary. This seasonal natural attraction offers a different focus from water sports and walking trails around the bay.

Local history also spans different periods. Bronze Age rock art can be found on the western slope of Crockaughrim near Ballyliffin. In the village, gateposts from the Lough Swilly railway station house are also still visible. The station house operated there from 1901 to 1935. The rock art and the station house thus represent very different periods in local history.

A wider look at County Donegal

Looking beyond Ballyliffin adds distinct destinations to the area’s local attractions. Malin Head, Ireland’s northernmost point, is in County Donegal; a circular trail runs along the coast to Banba’s Crown. The guided tour at Fanad Lighthouse lasts 45 minutes; check availability before your trip. At Donegal Castle in County Donegal, guided tours tell the story of the castle from the time of the Gaelic lords through the Plantation and its long period as a ruin to its recent restoration. You should also check current availability for this tour.

Discover more destinations: Gweedore, Glencolumbkille, Portnoo, Glendowan, Rathmullan, Darney, Gortiness, Rosnakill.

For the broader travel overview: County Donegal.