Donegal: Urris Lakes
Derry is very close to the border with the Republic of Ireland which we crossed on the last day of our stay in the city. We drove up the Inishowen Peninsula to do a circular walk round two lakes in the Urris Hills.
The coastal road is part of the Wild Atlantic Way. At the top of Mamore Gap, some 700 feet above sea level, we found a well associated with Saints Columcille and Egney and a variety of shrines and cairns.
Once back down to sea level, a small carpark at Lenan Bay marks the start of the Urris Lakes Loop (7km/4.5 miles ; 340m/1,120 feet).
First we admired the strand, then passed this very attractive cottage to reach the path.
As the path ascended above the bay the views got better and better.
Then came my least favourite part of the walk when we turned inland along boggy ground. However, it wasn’t long before we reached the first lake, Crunlough.
Leaving Crunlough we soon arrived at Lough Fad. We climbed the ridge above it and found a rock to perch on for lunch.
Our route continued along the ridge to its end, where we turned to make our way back down to the path we came out on.
The following day, we left Derry to travel further south in Donegal where we had a cottage for a week. That must join the long queue of trips I still have to write about. Back to London next! In the meantime, this post is linked to Jo’s Monday Walk.
The Glasgow Gallivanter 
What a gorgeous walk! I wouldn’t have liked the boggy ground underfoot either, but it seems most of the walk was truly enjoyable.
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It was lovely. Ireland is like Scotland – hard to avoid bog given the climate!
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Stunning views Anabel. A great walk.
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Thanks – we really enjoyed it.
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What a beautiful walk! Lenan Bay looks delightful.
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Thanks – it was!
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The loughs look cold. The green painted fence and gate looks great with the white buildings. Irish colour scheme 🍀
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I loved that little green and white cottage!
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Great scenery, a lovely walk
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Thanks, it was!
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The Wild Atlantic Way would be a road trip we would enjoy, especially with scenery like this to stop and enjoy along the way. How long was the walk?
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Yes, having tasted the northern portion I would like to do more, The walk was under 5 miles.
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Those views are amazing!
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Aren’t they just!
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This looks a fine, wild walk.
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Thanks, it was! The right side of “too wild” apart from the bog.
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Ah. Bogs. 😦
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Must be quite nice to have so many trips “backed up” to write about!😊 I love all your adventures.
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Thanks Eilene. It is nice, but I sometimes feel I am at the point where I will never catch up – and ask myself if it matters. It’s a record of my memories though, so mostly I want to keep going. I just need to be more disciplined about finding time!
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There’s no question that blogging is both an excellent long-term record and a big time suck!
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I do like a loop. And this looks very nice too. You find some very interesting places on your wanders I have to say. Love the new avatar too.
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Thanks Jude. The avatar is from Beamish which is about 999th on the list of wanders to write about 😉.
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That is a very good value short walk.
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Great views without having to go right up to the top of the hills!
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Perfect.
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Amazing countryside and beautiful views. I love how you never quit exploring. That is my goal in life as well! ❤
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There’s always somewhere new to discover, even within these islands. Would definitely like to explore Ireland more.
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Some lovely countryside there. One big difference I noticed from Scotland was all the peat fires going on in surrounding cottages as we were coming off the hills towards evening in the autumn and the distinctive smell from the chimney smoke as we passed. Not as common now here as it once was as a DIY fuel you cut by hand from the nearest hillside. Bob. BSS.
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I didn’t notice the peat, but even though it wasn’t very warm it was end of April so not the depths of winter. Probably frowned upon nowadays anyway!
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Such amazing countryside and views and looks like a wonderful walk to enjoy it all. Another new place to discover one day!!! Thank you.
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yes, the views were just gorgeous!
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That looks like such beautiful countryside to walk in, with super views!
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Yes, it was! Apart from the boggy bits, obviously, but can’t have everything 😄.
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I’ve never even heard of the Urris Lakes, Anabel, but it looks like a beautiful area so thanks for taking me there. I’m viewing this on my phone so I’ll enjoy a better look later 🤗❤️
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I hadn’t heard of them either, but it was a nice walk and we were glad to have discovered it.
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Gorgeous landscapes and seascapes. I wouldn’t have enjoyed the boggy ground either, though.
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Boggy is one of my bugbears. I hate that sinking feeling – and wet feet.
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Amazing effort to build those shrines up a hill.
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It must have been! Not an impulse I understand myself, but they obviously mean a lot to people.
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I see a few in Belgium but have never seen anyone visiting one, apart from us tourists!
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Looks an amazing place.
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It was a good foretaste of the Donegal coast that we were to enjoy for the next week.
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Gorgeous views of Lenan Bay, I love the sunshiney ones 😊
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It was such a pretty place, especially in the sun as you say. Sunny, but not warm – as you can tell from my multiple layers! There was quite a breeze up there.
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