Donald's Hill

About Donald's Hill

Rising sharply above the Roe Valley, this prominent basaltic hill marks the western edge of the North Sperrins plateau. Though modest in height, its status as a Marilyn ensures an expansive sense of scale, offering a rugged, heathery ascent that feels considerably more remote than its proximity to Limavady would suggest.

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Did You Know?

• •Its name is derived from the Irish Cnoc Dhónaill, meaning 'Donald’s Hill', though the identity of the specific Donald has long been lost to local history.
• •The summit provides an exceptional vantage point over the North Coast, with the jagged cliffs of Binevenagh to the north and the Inishowen Peninsula visible across the waters of Lough Foyle.
• •Structurally, the hill is part of the Antrim Lava Group, featuring a capping of hard basalt that protects the softer sedimentary rocks beneath from erosion.
• •Walkers often combine a visit here with the nearby Boyd’s Hill, traversing the high, often peat-softened ground that connects the two summits.
• •Standing at exactly 399 metres, the hill is a teasing single metre short of the 400m mark, a fact that provides a minor psychological hurdle for those who prefer round numbers.