Wild Atlantic Way 01: Inishowen and Malin Head

Start in Donegal with a headland, a coastal museum and enough time to explore Inishowen properly.
Malin Head coast, County Donegal

At the northern end

Malin Head gives this journey a memorable opening: Atlantic water, exposed rock and the headland around Banba’s Crown. It is a place to take the weather seriously. Dress for wind, keep back from edges and follow the paths and notices on the day. A clear forecast makes a considerable difference to a visit here.

Along Lough Swilly

Fort Dunree brings a different story to the peninsula. Its military museum and coastal setting make it a worthwhile focus for a separate visit. Check the museum’s opening arrangements before driving out; time spent inside can add context to the landscape you have been looking at from the road.

Leaving Inishowen

Inishowen is a substantial opening chapter, rather than a quick prelude to Fanad. Pick a base that suits the places you want to see and check your onward route around Lough Swilly. Do not assume a seasonal ferry will provide the connection: confirm any proposed crossing directly before building the next day around it.

Useful links

Before you go

Check headland weather, local access notices and Fort Dunree’s visitor hours. Our chapters run north to south; they are not a fixed daily timetable.

All Atlantic chapters
Next: Wild Atlantic Way 02: Fanad, Rosguill and Mulroy Bay

Featured image: Malin Head – geograph.org.uk – 7070602.jpg — N Chadwick · CC BY-SA 2.0. Resized and converted to WebP. No scene changes. Image retains the stated source licence.