Machaire Gathlán and Binn bhuí

Seaside loop trail along the dunes between the Magheragallan and the Bunbeg beaches

The trail is a 7 km marked path with mixed terrain, grass, dunes, and tarmac with spectacular wild Atlantic coastal views. I started my adventure from the Magheragallan beach parking. If you can't find it on the map, you can also look for the Gola Island ferry, which will take you to the same place. 

The walking trail crosses the tarmac path a few meters before parking. I started my journey from there, moving north, and soon came across the first trekking sign with a red arrow. There was a spectacular coastal view looking towards Port Arthur Beach. After the view, I climbed onto a tarmac road towards the town's main street. Just before the main road, the trail gives you two options to continue on the red path (south) or to get on the yellow track (north). I was up for the red, so I continued south on the main road.

The loop passes through the town's main road for a short period.

I rode for about 1.5 - 2 km on the main tarmac road south, towards Bunbeg beach. If you need a coffee, now is the time to stop and support local businesses. The trail then turns west from the main road and goes straight to the beach parking. There is a sign for the Bunbeg beach and a trail red arrow sign so that you won't miss the turn. 

Adventure through the dunes, combined with outstanding ocean views

When I reached the Bunbeg beach parking, I entered the dunes, there is a path right after the parking, and it has markings visible one from each other so that you won't miss it. If you feel more adventurous, you can visit plenty of trails off the main marked path and then get back on it. I managed to get to many of them, leading towards an ocean view, then back through the dunes. 

Wild beaches, rabbits, various birds, fields of flowers, and unexpectedly gooses

I got to the most beautiful part while moving north from Bunbeg towards Magheragallan to close the loop. The views of the coastline are rugged, raw, and at the same time, mesmerizing. The dunes were full of rabbits and different birds, and there were yellow and purple flowers everywhere. A group of gooses was having a party near a small pier just before Magheragallan beach. 

I closed the trail loop, and now it is time for the yellow trail

I closed the loop back to the Gola Island ferry car park, and my next adventure would be the yellow trail moving towards Port Arthur Beach.

I made the trail on a bike. Is it difficult?

The terrain is moderate, but you would need a bike with wider tires, like a mountain bike, to pass through some parts of the dunes uninterrupted. 

Additional sources: 

Gaoth Dobhair Official Site

Pictures by Velin Georgiev