The Pilgrim Path up Slieve League: route map, distance and time
596 m · Blue Stack Mountains · OS grid G543783
Slieve League is a 596 m mountain on the south-west Donegal coast whose seaward face drops in some of the highest sea cliffs in Europe.
An old track climbs the landward slope to the summit ridge. Rough and wet in places, but well away from the cliff edge.
The Pilgrim Path at a glance
| Distance | 6.1 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 593 m |
| Time up | 2h 15m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 3h 25m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Teelin |
| Summit grid reference | G543783 |
The Pilgrim Path map
The start (green) and the summit (blue). Peakify has no GPX track for this route yet, so follow the description and your map.
Height profile and getting to the start
Near the start
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
How long The Pilgrim Path takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 50m | 2h 50m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 15m | 3h 25m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 45m | 4h 15m |
Times leave out stops. Coming down the same way, the table counts the ascent once; steep descents on rough ground can be as slow as the climb.
- Today: sunrise 08:09, sunset 18:30. Start by 14:05 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 25m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 08:11, sunset 18:27. Start by 14:02 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 25m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Slieve League summit weather for this route
There is no recent summit forecast cached for Slieve League right now. The main Slieve League page loads the live forecast when you open it. Open the live Slieve League forecast.
About Slieve League
Slieve League is a 596 m mountain on the south-west Donegal coast whose seaward face drops in some of the highest sea cliffs in Europe. More about Slieve League, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Marilyn, Arderin.
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location, what happened and how many are in your group. If you have no signal for a call, a text to 999 works once you have registered your phone with emergencySMS: text "register" to 999 before you go.
The Pilgrim Path: questions and answers
How far is The Pilgrim Path?
The Pilgrim Path is 6.1 km one way to the summit of Slieve League, with 593 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 12.2 km.
How long does The Pilgrim Path take?
About 2h 15m to the summit of Slieve League and 3h 25m there and back by Naismith's rule (5 km/h plus 10 minutes per 100 m of ascent), before stops. A relaxed group takes nearer 4h 15m for the round trip.
Where do you park for The Pilgrim Path?
The Pilgrim Path starts from Teelin.
Is The Pilgrim Path suitable for beginners?
Yes, for fit walkers on a clear day. Peakify grades it Moderate: a long climb on a made path, but the top is high, exposed and colder than the start. Turn back if the cloud comes down and you can't navigate.
What time should I start The Pilgrim Path today?
By 14:05 at the latest. Sunset on Slieve League today is 18:30, The Pilgrim Path takes about 3h 25m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for The Pilgrim Path?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).