Overview
There are two Crockfaddas in this corner of Donegal, and it’s worth knowing which one you’re on. This is the lower of them: An Cnoc Fada, or Crockfadda North West Top, at 485 m, not the separate 529 m summit that shares the name. It rises in the Derryveagh Mountains of the north-west, and though it isn’t tall, a 114 m prominence gives it a clear presence on the skyline. It sits under the parent peak of Slieve Snaght, and the draw is a straightforward self-guided loop that saves its best moment for the ridge: the ground falls away and the Poisoned Glen and Mount Errigal open up all at once.
The name
The Irish An Cnoc Fada means simply ‘the long hill’, which fits the elongated ridge that forms the spine of the walk. No standing ruins mark the summit; the interest here is the landform and the view, not archaeology.
The route
The standard route is a 7.4 km loop, graded medium, with 343 m of ascent and around two hours of walking. Rather than starting from the wet, flat floor of the Poisoned Glen, the better approach climbs from the high valley to the south-east. From the trailhead a track gives way to sheep paths through heather and blanket bog, rising steadily until the ridge crest, where the ground falls away and the Poisoned Glen and Errigal open up in one go. That reveal is the walk.
From the top the ridge runs on north-east, and the descent follows a natural col back down to where you started. A deer fence crosses the slope on the way; there’s no need to climb it, as the path simply follows it down. It’s a good half-day out for families with older children who want a proper hill without committing to a multi-peak traverse.
Access and parking
The practical starting point is a gravel-pit lay-by just after the Bridal Path entrance to Glenveagh National Park, which holds a few cars and gives clear access to the first track. Signage on the hill is minimal, so bring the Ordnance Survey Discovery Map 1 (1:50,000) or a downloaded GPX track and don’t rely on following worn paths. One caution on the maps: because a separate, higher Crockfadda (529 m) sits nearby and shares the name, listings can get tangled. The summit you’re aiming for here is the North West Top at 485 m, grid reference B949164.
What to expect underfoot
The terrain is dry heather, soft peat and well-trodden sheep tracks. Late summer turns the slopes deep purple; spring brings damp, mossy ground and midges. Weather in the Derryveaghs shifts fast, so waterproofs and sturdy boots earn their place year-round. After heavy rain the boggy sections get very soft and the walk turns harder work, though it stays manageable with careful footing. It’s open access, no permit, free to walk at any hour.
Practical Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Trail length | 7.4 km loop |
| Estimated time | ~2 hours |
| Elevation gain | 343 m |
| Summit height | 485 m (1,591 ft) |
| Difficulty | Medium |
| Grid reference | B949164 |
| Recommended map | OSi Discovery Map 1 |
| Access | Open year-round, no permit required |
| Parking | Gravel-pit lay-by (Bridal Path entrance to Glenveagh) |
Because the route relies on sheep tracks and unmarked bog crossings, a downloaded GPX file or a paper map is essential for navigation. The Hiiker app has a reliable digital track, and the MountainViews community keeps detailed route notes for anyone planning on paper. Arrive early in summer to stay ahead of the midges, and check the forecast before you set out; on this hill the reveal at the ridge is the whole point, and low cloud takes it away entirely.