It was a brilliant late October day in Donegal as Positive Steps Outdoors teamed up with Donegal Youth Service, through the support of the charity Young Social Innovators and the Ignite Communities programme, for a ‘green therapy‘ Healthy Hike exploring the wild and beautiful terrain north of Muckish Mountain.
The day began with a flurry of activity at the Railway Head car park, where everyone got kitted out in boots, hats, gloves and waterproofs, all part of the free loan equipment made possible through the ongoing support of the AlpKit Foundation. With lunch packed and spirits high, the group set off along the Greenway, following the line of the old disused railway.
Before long, the smooth path gave way to rougher, wilder trails leading between small knolls to a hidden lough, where the first challenge of the day was a few competitive rounds of stone skimming! From there, the Healthy Hike took on a new twist as leadership was handed over to the young people, who rotated roles in navigating and keeping the group together. For many, it was their first time navigating in this kind of terrain, and they rose to the challenge superbly.
The route climbed steadily up a broad valley, with a few swampy patches to negotiate and plenty of laughter as the occasional boot found the deeper sections! A final short, steep climb brought the group to the head of the valley, where the views opened out across Donegal — right down to the sea and the scattered offshore islands. It was here, beside a large boulder beneath the cliffs of Muckish, that we paused for lunch and a mindfulness session led by Rachel from Positive Steps Outdoors.
Throughout the day, Rachel also held one-to-one coaching conversations, giving the young people space to reflect and talk as they walked. The group then followed the historic miner’s path back down towards the waiting coach, tired but smiling after a full day in the fresh mountain air.
The Healthy Hike wasn’t just about covering distance — it was about confidence, teamwork, and connection. Judging by the laughter, shared encouragement, and sense of pride at the finish, every young person left with a well-earned boost to their self-esteem and wellbeing.
A big thank you to Donegal Youth Service for their enthusiasm and energy, and to Young Social Innovators and the AlpKit Foundation for helping make adventures like this possible.
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