(Distance 8.5 miles 13.5Km)

Between Horn Head road and the first raid junction there is a private entrance at the edge of the pine forest. In 1700 Captain Charles Stuart, of Bonnie Prince Charlie's royal line, built Horn Head House, now a ruin.

Taking the clock-wise circuit is normal. Just before the road junction where Crockashee, the Fairy Hill is, there is a ruined cottage on the right with a very wind-swept bush that gives some idea of the wind strength up here. The look-out post was used during the war to keepa look out for German U-boat activity along the coast. The ruined signal tower further out at 'The Head' is from the 17th century, while in three megalithic tombs in this area were found gold ornaments now in the National Museum. There is suggestion that Horn head was an island 10,000 and that the 'temporary facility' of the sand dunes that connect it to the mainland is already being eroded again.

There is a viewing point at Faugher, the most northerly point of the road that affords  breathtaking views of Horn head's 600 ft. cliffs. (BE VERY CAREFUL NEAR CLIFFA IN WINDY WEATHER). As the road turns south again you can usually see up the  coast to the north-east to Melmore Head (Mulroy Bay), Fanad Head (Lough Swilly) and Malin Head (the most northerly point of Ireland, and on a clear day Islay and Jura on the west coast of Scotland.

...and contemplate the grace and silence of some sailing ship
that slips along beyond the land,
and eases out the bay...

Immediately below on a prominent rock, joined to the land, is a promontory fort. From the next viewing point there are clear views of Downings (and it's Tramore), Ards, Marble Hill, Portnablagh Harbour and Sessiagh Lake behind, Killahoey beach and New  Lake, with Muckish and the range to Errigal behind, to the south. It is all downhill from here. As you reach the shore look right Downhill to Muntermellan viewing point where there are panoramic views across the bay to Downings and south to Errigal. Continuing  downhill on reaching the shore look right to a col between two small hills where a stone wall divides the hill, and just to the right of the wall there is a spectacular portal tomb.  (Ask permission from the landowner if planning a visit).

ROUTE

Begin by taking the Horn Head road past the Garda Station and Holy Trinity Church, across Horn Head Bridge and along the edge of the bay to the first road junction., 1 1/4  miles (2Km). Take the left fork, up hill, for about half-a-mile (1Km) to a T-junction.  Turn right (north-east), (great views of Dunfanaghy and Muckish. Continue for about 1  mile to the next junction. Crockashee (Faery Hill), a perfect conical hill is to your left. Walking straight on you reach a World War II look-out post with spectacular views of Tory Island, Inishbofin Island and Bloody Foreland. Further out on the headland is the ruin of an old signal tower. Continuing the circuit to the north-east, over the cattle grid, you will soon arrive at the first viewing point. From here it is mostly downhill to the next viewing point on the eastern side of the head. All downhill now, keeping left around the bay, over Horn head Bridge, and back to the village.