woodland walk
walk in slieve bloom
Landscape
Forest

WALKING & HIKING

Walking in the Slieve Bloom Mountains

Get off the beaten track and connect with nature in the unspoilt and uncongested Slieve Bloom Mountains where you will find a great choice of walking trails ranging in distance from 4km to 70km.

Choose from 17 Slieve Bloom Looped Walks of varying length from trailheads at Kinnitty Cadamstown Clonaslee Glenbarrow and Monicknew.

Eco Walks focusing on different aspects of the flora fauna and geology of the Slieve Bloom Mountains can be found at Knockbarron, Glenafelly, Gurteenamile Silver River Cadamstown and Glenbarrow. The Circular Slieve Bloom Way can be accessed from any of the trailheads at Kinnitty, Cadamstown, Clonaslee, Glenbarrow, Monicknew. The linier way marked Offaly Way can be accessed from the trailhead at Cadamstown.

Organised walks take place on most weeks throughout the year.

 

Leave No Trace logo

We request that all visitors to this sensitive area observe the principles of Leave No Trace.

Photo of woman walking through pauls lane

Walking Guides

Are you looking for a personal leader who can tailor-make a walk to suit your party or group? All of our walking guides have received extensive practical walking guide training to ensure that you have a safe, educational and enjoyable experience in the Slieve Bloom Mountains. If you are looking for a personal walk leader please contact Gerry at +353 86 8210056. He will arrange walk leader for you.

Walking Trails

Map of rickets rock loop walk
Distance: 4.5km / 1hr - 1.5hrs
Trail Grade: Moderate

Rickets Rock Loop

To suit: All levels of fitness
Terrain: Mix of minor roads, sandy roadways & forestry tracks
map of clonaslee brittas
Distance: 6km / 2 hours 30mins
Trail Grade: Moderate

Brittas Lake Loop

To suit: Medium level of fitness
Terrain: Forestry road, tracks
Map of Glendineoregan loop walk
Distance: 11.7km / 2-3hrs
Trail Grade: Strenuous

Glendineoregan Loop

To suit: Higher than average levels of fitness
Terrain: Mix of minor roads, sandy paths & woodland trails
map of cadamstown nature trail
Distance: 7km / 2.5 - 3 hours
Trail Grade: Strenuous

Silver River Nature Trail

To suit: Higher levels of fitness
Terrain: Old lane, riverside and road woodland
map cover of cadamstown giants grave
Distance: 11km / 2 hours 30 mins
Trail Grade: Strenuous

Giants Grave Loop

To suit: Good levels of fitness
Terrain: Forestry tracks, old laneways and riverbank paths
map cover of cadamstown pauls lane
Distance: 4.5 km / 2 hours
Trail Grade: Strenuous

Pauls Lane Loop

To suit: Average levels of fitness
Terrain: Old lanes and river gorge
kinnitty castle loop map
Distance: 4.5km /1.5 hrs
Trail Grade: Moderate

Kinnitty Castle Loop

To suit: All levels of fitness (also wheelchair friendly)
Terrain: Forestry tracks
glinsk castle loop cropped map
Distance: 6.7km / 3hrs
Trail Grade: Moderate

Glinsk Castle Loop

To suit: Medium level of fitness
Terrain: Mix of forestry tracks and woodland walks
glenregan loop walk map
Distance: 11k/3 hours
Trail Grade: Strenuous

Glenregan Loop

To suit: Higher than average level of fitness
Terrain: Forestry Road
knockbarron eco walk map
Distance: 5k/1.5hrs
Trail Grade: Moderate

Knockbarron Wood

To suit: Medium level of fitness
Terrain: Scenic view, Forest Road
map of monicknew riverside
Distance: 1.5km / 30 mins
Trail Grade: Moderate

Riverside Walk

To suit: Medium level of fitness
Terrain: Riverside path
Map of monicknew valley walk
Distance: 1.4kms / 30 mins
Trail Grade: Easy

Monicknew Valley Walk

To suit: All levels of fitness
Terrain: Forestry road & riverside path
map cover of monicknews bocadh lodge
Distance: 6.9km / 2.5 hrs
Trail Grade: Moderate

Bocadh Lodge Walk

To suit: Higher than average level of fitness
Terrain: Forestry roads, forest trails
Scenic photo along Other Walks

Ridge Of Capard Viewing Platform Loop

Photo along Capard route

Capard Route

Map of boora farmlands loop w960
Distance: 7km / 1hr 30m
Trail Grade: Easy

Lough Boora Farmlands Loop

To suit: All levels of fitness
Terrain: Farmland road & bog road
Map of boora mesolithic loop
Distance: 9km / 2hrs 30mins
Trail Grade: Moderate

Lough Boora Mesolithic Loop

To suit: Medium level of fitness
Terrain: Bog road & sandy track
Map of boora sculpture loop
Distance: 3km / 1hr
Trail Grade: Easy

Lough Boora Sculpture Loop

To suit: All levels of fitness
Terrain: Bog road & sandy track
map of glenbarrow old mill route
Distance: 10.5 km / 2.5 -3 hours
Trail Grade: Strenuous

Old Mill Loop

To suit: Higher than average fitness levels
Terrain: Forestry trails, riverside walk
Map of glenbarrow waterfall
Distance: 4.5 km / 1.5 hours
Trail Grade: Moderate

Waterfall Loop

To suit: Medium levels of fitness
Terrain: Forest trails, riverside walk
Photo of woman walking scenic trail
Distance: 70.5 km/3 days
Trail Grade: Strenuous

Slieve Bloom Way

To suit: Suitable for users accustomed to walking on rough ground and with a high level of fitness.
Terrain: Sections with steep climbs for long periods and the going underfoot can be extremely rough.
Bridge at monicknew
Distance: 38k/2days
Trail Grade: Moderate

The Offaly Way

To suit: Appropriate for people with a moderate level of fitness.
Terrain: Mix of minor roads, sandy roadways and forestry tracks
Map of glenbarrow eco
Distance: 8.5km / 3 hours
Trail Grade: Strenuous

Glenbarrow Eco Walk

To suit: Higher than average fitness levels
Terrain: Forest trails & roads
map of cadamstown nature trail
Distance: 7km / 2.5 - 3 hours
Trail Grade: Strenuous

Silver River Nature Trail

To suit: Higher levels of fitness
Terrain: Old lane, riverside and road woodland
knockbarron eco walk map
Distance: 5k/1.5hrs
Trail Grade: Moderate

Knockbarron Wood

To suit: Medium level of fitness
Terrain: Scenic view, Forest Road
Scenic photo along Other Walks

Ridge Of Capard Viewing Platform Loop

Photo along Capard route

Capard Route

Map of boora farmlands loop w960
Distance: 7km / 1hr 30m
Trail Grade: Easy

Lough Boora Farmlands Loop

To suit: All levels of fitness
Terrain: Farmland road & bog road
Map of boora mesolithic loop
Distance: 9km / 2hrs 30mins
Trail Grade: Moderate

Lough Boora Mesolithic Loop

To suit: Medium level of fitness
Terrain: Bog road & sandy track
Map of boora sculpture loop
Distance: 3km / 1hr
Trail Grade: Easy

Lough Boora Sculpture Loop

To suit: All levels of fitness
Terrain: Bog road & sandy track

Walking Trails

Link to Glenbarrow Eco Walk Map of Glenbarrow eco walk
Distance: 8.5km / 3 hours
Trail Grade: Strenuous

Glenbarrow Eco Walk

The trailhead is Glenbarrow carpark. Follow Orange arrows onto a downhill track. Enter Glenbarrow woods via wooden railings.

To suit: Higher than average fitness levels
Terrain: Forest trails & roads
Link to Rickets Rock Loop Map of Rickets Rock loop
Distance: 4.5km / 1hr - 1.5hrs
Trail Grade: Moderate

Rickets Rock Loop

Start from the entrance to the forestry in Clonaslee Village.

To suit: All levels of fitness
Terrain: Mix of minor roads, sandy roadways & forestry tracks
Link to Brittas Lake Loop Map of clonaslee brittas
Distance: 6km / 2 hours 30mins
Trail Grade: Moderate

Brittas Lake Loop

This walk starts at the Coillte Trailhead site on Brittas Avenue. Follow blue arrows along by the River Clodiagh...

To suit: Medium level of fitness
Terrain: Forestry road, tracks
Link to Glendineoregan Loop Map of glendineoregan loop walk
Distance: 11.7km / 2-3hrs
Trail Grade: Strenuous

Glendineoregan Loop

tart from the entrance to the forestry in Clonaslee Village.

To suit: Higher than average levels of fitness
Terrain: Mix of minor roads, sandy paths & woodland trails
Link to Silver River Nature Trail Map of Cadamstown nature trail
Distance: 7km / 2.5 - 3 hours
Trail Grade: Strenuous

Silver River Nature Trail

At the picnic area beside the Mapboard take a look at the strangely shaped boulder.

To suit: Higher levels of fitness
Terrain: Old lane, riverside and road woodland
Link to Giants Grave Loop Map of  cadamstown giantsgrave
Distance: 11km / 2 hours 30 mins
Trail Grade: Strenuous

Giants Grave Loop

Starting from Cadamstown trailhead, follow the red arrows along the tarred road for 1km to reach an old laneway.

To suit: Good levels of fitness
Terrain: Forestry tracks, old laneways and riverbank paths
Link to Pauls Lane Loop Map of cadamstown pauls lane
Distance: 4.5 km / 2 hours
Trail Grade: Strenuous

Pauls Lane Loop

Starting from the village car park in Cadamstown village, turn right onto what was the Coach Road that passes on the right of Dempsey’s pub.

To suit: Average levels of fitness
Terrain: Old lanes and river gorge
Link to Kinnitty Castle Loop Map of kinnitty castle loop
Distance: 4.5km /1.5 hrs
Trail Grade: Moderate

Kinnitty Castle Loop

Start from the trailhead at the forestry entrance

To suit: All levels of fitness (also wheelchair friendly)
Terrain: Forestry tracks
Link to Glinsk Castle Loop Map of glinsk castle loop
Distance: 6.7km / 3hrs
Trail Grade: Moderate

Glinsk Castle Loop

Start from Kinnitty forest entrance 3km from the village.

To suit: Medium level of fitness
Terrain: Mix of forestry tracks and woodland walks
Link to Glenregan Loop Map of Glenregan loop
Distance: 11k/3 hours
Trail Grade: Strenuous

Glenregan Loop

To suit: Higher than average level of fitness
Terrain: Forestry Road
Link to Knockbarron Wood Eco Walk Map of knockbarron eco walk
Distance: 5k/1.5hrs
Trail Grade: Moderate

Knockbarron Wood Eco Walk

To suit: Medium level of fitness
Terrain: Scenic view, Forest Road
Link to Riverside Walk Map of monicknew riverside
Distance: 1.5km / 30 mins
Trail Grade: Moderate

Riverside Walk

To suit: Medium level of fitness
Terrain: Riverside path
Link to Monicknew Valley Walk Map of monicknew valley walk
Distance: 1.4kms / 30 mins
Trail Grade: Easy

Monicknew Valley Walk

To suit: All levels of fitness
Terrain: Forestry road & riverside path
Link to Bocadh Lodge Walk Map of Monickew Bocadh Lodge loop
Distance: 6.9km / 2.5 hrs
Trail Grade: Moderate

Bocadh Lodge Walk

To suit: Higher than average level of fitness
Terrain: Forestry roads, forest trails
Link to Ridge Of Capard Viewing Platform Loop

Ridge Of Capard Viewing Platform Loop

Link to Capard Route

Capard Route

Link to Lough Boora - Farmlands Loop Map of boora farmlands loop
Distance: 7km / 1hr 30m
Trail Grade: Easy

Lough Boora - Farmlands Loop

To suit: All levels of fitness
Terrain: Farmland road & bog road
Link to Lough Boora - Mesolithic Loop Map of Boora Mesolithic loop
Distance: 9km / 2hrs 30mins
Trail Grade: Moderate

Lough Boora - Mesolithic Loop

To suit: Medium level of fitness
Terrain: Bog road & sandy track
Link to Lough Boora - Sculpture Loop Map of boora sculpture loop
Distance: 3km / 1hr
Trail Grade: Easy

Lough Boora - Sculpture Loop

To suit: All levels of fitness
Terrain: Bog road & sandy track
Link to Waterfall Loop Map of glenbarrowwaterfall map
Distance: 4.5 km / 1.5 hours
Trail Grade: Moderate

Waterfall Loop

To suit: Medium levels of fitness
Terrain: Forest trails, riverside walk
Link to Old Mill Loop map cover glenbarrow oldmill w500h300.jpg
Distance: 10.5 km / 2.5 -3 hours
Trail Grade: Strenuous

Old Mill Loop

To suit: Higher than average fitness levels
Terrain: Forestry trails, riverside walk
Link to Slieve Bloom Way Scenic nature photo
Distance: 70.5 km/3 days
Trail Grade: Strenuous

Slieve Bloom Way

To suit: Suitable for users accustomed to walking on rough ground and with a high level of fitness.
Terrain: Sections with steep climbs for long periods and the going underfoot can be extremely rough.
Link to The Offaly Way Bridge at monicknew
Distance: 38k/2days
Trail Grade: Moderate

The Offaly Way

To suit: Appropriate for people with a moderate level of fitness.
Terrain: Mix of minor roads, sandy roadways and forestry tracks
Link to Glenbarrow Map of Glenbarrow eco walk
Distance: 8.5km / 3 hours
Trail Grade: Strenuous

Glenbarrow

To suit: Higher than average fitness levels
Terrain: Forest trails & roads
Link to Silver River Nature Trail Map of Cadamstown Nature trail
Distance: 7km / 2.5 - 3 hours
Trail Grade: Strenuous

Silver River Nature Trail

To suit: Higher levels of fitness
Terrain: Old lane, riverside and road woodland
Link to Knockbarron Wood Eco Walk Map of knockbarron eco walk
Distance: 5k/1.5hrs
Trail Grade: Moderate

Knockbarron Wood Eco Walk

To suit: Medium level of fitness
Terrain: Scenic view, Forest Road
Link to Lough Boora Farmlands Loop Map of boora farmlands loop
Distance: 7km / 1hr 30m
Trail Grade: Easy

Lough Boora Farmlands Loop

To suit: All levels of fitness
Terrain: Farmland road & bog road
Link to Lough Boora Mesolithic Loop Map of Boora Mesolithic loop
Distance: 9km / 2hrs 30mins
Trail Grade: Moderate

Lough Boora Mesolithic Loop

To suit: Medium level of fitness
Terrain: Bog road & sandy track
Link to Lough Boora Sculpture Loop Map of boora sculpture loop
Distance: 3km / 1hr
Trail Grade: Easy

Lough Boora Sculpture Loop

To suit: All levels of fitness
Terrain: Bog road & sandy track
Link to Lost Village Loop Map of lost village loop
Distance: 6k/2.5hrs
Trail Grade: Moderate

Lost Village Loop

To suit: Medium level of fitness
Terrain: Scenic Views, forest road
Link to Ridge Of Capard Viewing Platform Loop Scenic photo along Other Walks

Ridge Of Capard Viewing Platform Loop

Located just 300m from the trailhead carpark, the viewing platform offers a stunning panoramic view.

Link to Capard Route Scenic photo along Other Walks

Capard Route

The Capard Route follows a specially constructed boardwalk which allows for year round access to the site without damaging the sensitive habitat.