Aghla Beg NW Top

About Aghla Beg NW Top

Rising within Donegal’s rugged Derryveagh Mountains, this quartzite-topped shoulder provides a quieter perspective on the Seven Sisters range. It overlooks the deep glacial trough of Lough Altan, offering an exceptional profile view of Errigal’s scree-covered slopes and the dramatic, flat-topped mass of Muckish to the northeast.

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Did You Know?

• •The name Aghla comes from the Irish An Eachla, which in the Donegal dialect refers to a ridge or a stony place. Beg (Bheag) distinguishes it as the smaller peak in the immediate area compared to its neighbour, Aghla More.
• •The summit provides a direct look down into the glacial trench of Lough Altan. From this height, you can clearly see the ruins of Altan House, a 19th-century dwelling sitting isolated on the lake's northern shore.
• •This peak is part of the Seven Sisters, a sub-range of the Derryveagh Mountains. While often bypassed in favour of the main Aghla Beg summit, it offers the better angle for photographers looking to capture the iconic cone of Errigal.
• •The mountain is composed largely of Dalradian quartzite, which gives the slopes their distinctive white, shimmering appearance but makes for notoriously unstable scree underfoot.
• •The 'top' designation might suggest a minor bump, but the steep, trackless ascent through Donegal bog and shattered rock quickly corrects any notion that this is a casual afternoon stroll.