Slieve League is a mountain on the southwest Donegal coast whose western face falls 601 metres straight into the Atlantic — making these some of the highest sea cliffs in Europe and nearly three times the height of the Cliffs of Moher. They are less famous and less visited than Moher, which suits them well. The approach road from Carrick village is sign-posted and takes you to a lower car park, from which a shuttle bus or a 30-minute walk brings you to the upper viewpoint at Bunglass.
From the Bunglass viewpoint, the cliff face drops almost vertically into the sea. On a clear day, with the Atlantic light catching the rock strata — layers of quartzite, schist and sandstone laid down over 600 million years — the colour gradations in the cliff face are striking. The summit of Slieve League itself is 595 m and is reachable by a walking trail that takes about 1.5–2 hours from Bunglass.
For experienced hillwalkers, the One Man's Pass ridge walk is the serious option — a narrow ridge path with sheer drops on both sides, running along the cliff top. It requires care in high wind or wet conditions and is not suitable for young children or inexperienced walkers. The standard Bunglass viewpoint, however, is accessible to most visitors with reasonable mobility and a free car park.
Highlights
- Sea cliffs rising 601 m — among the highest in Europe and nearly three times the height of the Cliffs of Moher
- The cliff face shows 600 million years of geological history in visible rock strata
- Bunglass viewpoint is accessible to most visitors — shuttle bus from the lower car park available in summer
- One Man's Pass — a narrow ridge walk for experienced hikers with sheer drops on both sides
- Significantly less crowded than the Cliffs of Moher despite the comparable scale
Good to know
- →The upper car park road is steep and narrow — consider the shuttle from the lower car park, especially with a large vehicle.
- →Clear visibility makes an enormous difference here. The cliffs in fog are underwhelming; in sun they're extraordinary.
- →One Man's Pass should not be attempted without hillwalking experience and proper footwear.
- →Carrick village (4 km) has a few pubs and a shop. Killybegs (17 km) has more options for food.
- →If you're already in Donegal, this is worth prioritising over Cliffs of Moher for the lack of crowds alone.
Best Time to Visit
May–Sep for the cliff walk to One Man's Pass; morning for clearest visibility before Atlantic sea mist builds. The two trails from Bunglass car park are well-signposted — the upper path is more dramatic but more exposed.
Getting There
Common questions
How do I get to Slieve League?
Drive to Teelin village in County Donegal and take the shuttle bus or walk the Pilgrim's Path to the cliff edge. Do not attempt to drive to the upper car park (One Man's Pass level) in a standard vehicle — the access road is extremely narrow. The shuttle from Teelin to the Bunglass viewpoint takes about 10 minutes.
How do Slieve League compare to the Cliffs of Moher?
Slieve League rises to 601 metres — nearly three times the height of the Cliffs of Moher (214m). They receive a fraction of the visitors and have no large-scale visitor centre infrastructure. The experience is rawer and more solitary. Many people who have seen both prefer Slieve League precisely because it is less developed, but the Cliffs of Moher are more dramatic at sea level.
Can I walk along the top of Slieve League?
Yes — experienced hill walkers can do the Slieve League ridge walk, which includes the narrow section known as One Man's Pass. This requires confidence on exposed terrain, good footwear, and ideally a companion. The Bunglass viewpoint is accessible to all visitors and gives the best view of the cliffs without the exposure. Do not attempt One Man's Pass in high wind.
Is Slieve League free to visit?
Yes — access to the Slieve League cliffs is free. A shuttle bus from Teelin to the Bunglass viewpoint charges a small fee (around €5). Walking from Teelin is free and takes about 30–40 minutes each way.
Where to Stay
Nearby Attractions
Book this experience
Cliffs boat cruise
1-hour boat cruise along the base of the Slieve League sea cliffs from Teelin harbour.
Book now →Cliffs walking tour
Guided walking tour along the clifftop from Bunglass with views to 601m above the sea.
Book now →Quick Facts
- Type
- Coastal
- County
- Co. Donegal
- Province
- Ulster
- Entry
- Free
- Hours
- Open year-round — free access. Shuttle bus runs May–Sep.
- Allow
- 2–4 hours
Destination guide
Wild Atlantic Way
Itinerary, best stops and local tips for West Coast · Ireland.
Read the guide →
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