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How To Have a Fantastic Time Visiting Delightful Ards Forest Park in Donegal – OUR CROSSINGS
Last Updated on the 3rd of June, 2025
Located between Dunfanagy and Creeslough in County Donegal, Ard’s Forest Park is owned by Coillte, the Irish Forestry Company, and covers 480 acres.
The park has various habitats, such as salt marshes, beaches, sand dunes, and deciduous and coniferous woodlands.
There are also forest trails with colour-coded signposts that lead to interesting archaeological features and monuments, adding to the uniqueness of this wonderful forest park.
With stunning coastal scenery, pretty woodland trails, and megalithic tombs, Ards Forest Park is a hidden gem and easily one of the most wonderful and varied forest parks in Ireland.
There is also a small cafe, a children’s playground with access to a beautiful beach, a spacious car park and a picnic area, making it a great place to spend a day.
Read More: An Epic 3-Day Road Trip Around Southwest Donegal For You To Borrow
With conditions looking promising for an upcoming weekend in Donegal, we packed our bags and filled our campervan with pots, pans, hiking gear and healthy snacks.
We made a two-hour drive up north to Dunfanaghy town and jumped at the chance to spend some time in the heart of the ancient fishing port.
The ride itself was something special. After leaving Sligo town, we slowly traversed through pretty towns and vast fields scattered with grazing sheep.
And, right after we left Letterkenny, we passed by Drongawn Lough and pushed further and further up North along N56, the landscape beautifully opened up.
On our way to Dunfanaghy, we had a choice between visiting either Glenveagh National Park or Ards Forest Park. As much as we wanted to see Lough Veagh and Glenveagh Castle again, the need for new scenery was more alluring.
So we decided to spend a day at Ards Park, and we were treated to special conditions. The rugged coastline, the little white sand inlets and the textures of the rocks are something that needed to be seen.
I was so struck by the stunning scenery that I just couldn’t tear myself away from the unfolding view. This place spoke to me volumes by making me instantly happy, fuzzy and elated. I slowly took a deep breath of hot summer air, grabbed my camera a fired off a few shots.
I will never get tired of nature, that’s for sure!
Read More: Your Guide To Visiting Beautiful Slieve League Cliffs In County Donegal
Highlights of Visiting Ards Forest Park
– Large diversity of plant and wildlife forms
– Many historical and archaeological features
– Viewing points, sandy beaches, rivers, and nature walks
– Opportunity to observe many of Ireland’s birds
‘Jeffry’s House’ – a folly made from thatch on a wooden frame
How to have a great time visiting delightful Ards Forest Park in Donegal
In this blog post, we are sharing a few things you could do while visiting Ards Forest Park.
Even though the list is relatively small, it took us a full day to tick off all the boxes. So, let’s get started.
#1. Immerse Yourself in Nature
It’s crucial to make some space in our busy lives to see and feel.
We don’t always have to be ahead of everything and everyone. And it’s important to let the beauty of the world refill our souls and expand our minds.
Walking around the beautiful park, we were reminded that summers in Ireland are something to get excited about. We saw more birds, bees and butterflies than we could even count.
And most importantly, I saw how Ericeiras’s eyes lit up as she pointed to delicate creatures and wanted to know everything about them.
We were exposed to splashes of colours, and whenever we looked back on the photos from this particular road trip, we recalled the gentle humming made by insects.
Read More: Ireland Travel Guide: 8 Amazing Things To See And Do On A Trip Around Inishowen Peninsula
#2. Enjoy Coastal Scenery
The proximity to the sea is one of the real treasures of Ards Forest Park.
To fully appreciate it, you can walk the Sand Dune Trail to the nearest viewpoint.
This walk is a combination of the wooden boardwalk, forest track and sand dune complex. Even though its length is just 1 kilometre, we see quite a lot of fantastic views from this stretch of the walk.
As soon as we left the car park, this peaceful and easy walk that follows the coastline took us on a very scenic tour.
We discovered fascinating views over the Back Strand and Clonmass Bay, and along the way, we caught a glimpse of soft waters and sensed a lovely pine forest smell.
The sand was so soft and so warm that once we reached the beach, we continued onwards barefoot.
Read More: How To Visit Glenveagh National Park In County Donegal: The Ultimate Guide
#3. Go For a Walk
With the fullness and greenest of the forests and with the multiple trails to choose from, Ards Forest Park would suit every class of walker.
Those who decide to make a journey to this Park are rewarded with intriguing natural beauty.
There are 9 different trails, all of them well-kept and very well-signposted, incorporating the main features of the park. Here, you’ll find:
- The Ards Heritage Trail, which is 3.5km long
- The Nature Trail and the Green Trail are both 3km long
- The Red Trail is the longest one and stretches for 13 kilometres around the perimeter of the forest park.
There is also the Salt Marsh Trail, the Binngorm Trail and the Sand Dune Trail, which offer visitors an opportunity to experience the beauty of the sea.
You could even combine various trails and hike for 5/6 hours, taking in the full circuit of the park.
*Top tip – If you are visiting in summer, make sure you bring sunscreen and bug spray.
Read More: Your Ultimate Guide to the Best Things to See and Do in County Donegal, Ireland
Discover Parks Archaeological Features
Within the park, you can see many features of archaeological interest.
Among them are the remnants of four ringforts and several megalithic tombs, which are believed to be the beds of Diarmuid and Grainne in their flight from Fionn Mac Cumhaill.
On the Ards Heritage Trail, you can find a Holy Well – the Ague Well – which is reputed to have curative powers. On the same trail is a Mass Rock where Mass was celebrated in defiance of the Penal Laws.
Within the park, you can also stop by ‘Jeffry’s House’ – a folly made from thatch on a wooden frame.
Created by architect Thomas O’Brien and artist Emily Mannion, it is now located on top of a rocky cliff overlooking the sea and dunes.
Read More: Your Guide to Downhill Demesne and Mussenden Temple in Northern Ireland
Other Things To See And Do Nearby
County Donegal is known for its wild and rugged scenery, and much of the coastline around it is protected by Irish and European law as designated special areas of conservation.
From far-out lighthouses and fairytale castles to secluded beaches and culture, art and music, this wild expanse of Ireland offers lots to see and do.
Here are some of the places nearby worth checking out:
- See the Horn Head | For stunning views of Inishbofin, Tory Island and Inishdooey, head to the towering Horn Head, a 180m high quartzite cliff, wrapped in heather and bog.
- Duntally Nature Reserve | is a nice mixture of oak, hazel and ash woodland. During the springtime, the forest floor is blooming with bluebells and wild garlic. And when it comes to birds, you’ll see Tree-creepers, colourful Jays, Long-tailed tits and Woodpigeons. From the car park, a 2.5-kilometre loop walk brings you into the beautiful valley.
- Go surfing with Narosa | After a brief theory and warm-up that includes stretching and jogging, you’ll get a chance to practice paddling and board positioning on dry land before you hit the water. Using knowledge and experience, your surf instructor will help you catch the waves.
Read More: How To Spend A Brilliant Weekend in Beautiful Killarney, Ireland
How to Get to Ards Forest Park
Ards Forest Park is located 5 kilometres from Creeslough village on the N56 in County Donegal. Because this part of Ireland is made for adventurous road trips, your best option is to rent a car.
The landscape, the views and the wonders of Donegal are something that can be genuinely experienced (and accessible) only when you are driving.
The entrance to the park is EUR 5. If you are looking for a stroll or want to explore the park on your bike, you can visit their official online site to download a trail map.
- The parking fee | is €5.00 per car daily, and you have to pay it at an unmanned automatic barrier machine at the entrance of the park, so make sure you have the change with you.
- Opening Hours | The car park opens from 8:00am to 8:00pm ( April to September) and 8:00am to 5.00pm (October to March)
Read More: Ireland Travel Guide: Top 9 Things To See And Do In Beautiful Connemara
Where to Stay Nearby
The nearby town of Dunfanaghy, located just 10 minutes away, is a great choice to stay for a night or two, as it is well served with hotel accommodation.
Here you’ll find Arnold’s Hotel, Narosa surf shop, a pottery studio and a few traditional pubs.
On the previous trip, we decided to stay in Corcreggan Mill, which is a rebuilt 18th-century Mill House with affordable accommodation and lots of character. In addition to comfortable rooms, you can stay in a Glamping Trawler, Bell Tents, a 150-year-old Glamping Carriage or pitch your tent.
- Arnolds Hotel | Located on the main road in Dunfanaghy village, Arnold’s Hotel offers a convenient location close to all the amenities and wonderful views over the bay and Horn Head.
- Shandon Hotel and Spa | overlooking Sheephaven Bay, the hotel boasts a bar with Donegal’s finest views and a state-of-the-art spa.
Read More: Your Ultimate Guide To The Beautiful Wicklow National Park
Leave No Trace
While Ireland’s parks and wild spaces are made for exploration, it is important to remember to take only pictures and leave only footprints.
Whether you go running, birding or symply just walking in natural areas, make sure to leave minimal impact on the environment.
Here are the 7 Principles of Leave No Trace
- Plan ahead and prepare – check the weather
- Respect farm animals and wildlife
- Travel and camp on durable ground – only use established trails
- Dispose of waste properly – do not leave anything behind, including banana peel and toilet paper. No exceptions…
- Minimise the effect of fire
Read More: 7 Stunning Sligo Beaches to Visit When You’re In Need Of A Breather
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Now, over to you!
Have you been to Ards Forest Park? Let us know in the comments below!
Let us know if you are planning a visit to Ards Forest Park and have travel-related questions!
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