The Ridge Challenge

The Ridge Challenge, Ireland's toughest and longest foot race, follows the Irish Chapter of the International Appalachian Trail. Starting at Gortin, the route runs East to West following rural roads and open hillsides, crosses the Sperrin Mountains before crossing the Blue Stacks and finishing along the Atlantic Coast at Bunglas, 112 miles away. Gortin to Killeter:
Starting in the village of Gortin and Gortin Forest Park , this section of the Ridge Challenge follows quiet country roads, areas of woodland, before picking up the Ulster Way on the northern slopes of Bollaght Mountain. The route is waymarked from here using yellow on blue Ulster Way signage. You ascend Bessy Bell, where panoramic views of the western Sperrins can be enjoyed. The route continues to the village of Killeter itself. Killeter to Glenties:
This is the second section of the Ridge Challenge, leading from Killeter, past Lough Eske, across the border with Northern Ireland, through Killeter Forest and ending at the village of Glenties.
The waymarking on this section is a yellow on black walking man and arrow disk with 'Bluestack Way' written on it to Glenties towards the Clar Chapel junction. Glenties to Bunglas:
his section is the third section of the Ridge Challenge, following Ardara, Glencolmcille, past Slieve League and then along the Atlantic Coast ending at Bunglas. The route is waymarked from Glencolumbcille to Ardara with a yellow arrow and yellow walking man (Slí Columbcille) and with yellow on black walking man and arrow disk with 'Bluestack Way' written on it from Glenties to Ardara.