To The Waters & The Wild

There are several spectacular walks throughout Sligo city and county. Below you will find a selection of the most popular. For more information visit North West Tourism on Temple Street, Sligo, phone 071-9161201.

• Doorly Park Looped Walk

  Leaving the front door of to Riverside Suites Hotel, turn left and follow the Garavogue River through Doorly Park, overlooking Lough Gill, for a stunning and tranquil setting. In the 19th century Colonel W G Woodmartin of Cleveragh developed this wetland on his estate. A series of ponds were excavated and drier areas were planted with oak, scots pine and a number of other species of tree. There is a nature trail through the park and a picnic area. Recent development includes a new cycling / walking amenities which include 1km adding to the existing 4km walking trail with looped link pathway to connect existing woodland and cycling pathway.

• The Sligo Way (Sligo County Council National Way)

  The Sligo Way starts at Lough Talt on the Tubbercurry / Ballina Road R294 and goes east through the village of Coolaney on to the town of Collooney which has good access. It proceeds eastwards along the shores of Lough Gill to the village of Dromahair where it ends. It is a very interesting walk through a rural sometimes remote countryside, with many geological, archaeological, flora and fauna along the way, which is described in the map guide available from the Tourist Office. This trail roughly follows the Ox Mountains for a distance of 74km! There are also connections including the Western Way, west of Lough Talt and the North Leitrim Glens Walks from Dromahair.

• Hazelwood Sculpture Trail and Slish Wood

  Hazelwood is located 5km east of Sligo city, on the shores of Lough Gill. Wooden sculptures are scattered along the 2km walk through the forest. Slish Wood is located 5km south east of Sligo, also on the shores of Lough Gill. It offers 3km of forest trails with views of the lake made famous by Yeats, and walks down by the shore.

• Slish Wood

  Slish Wood is located about 6 km west of Dromahair, on the R287 to Sligo. You will find about 3km of forest walks at Slish Wood. It is a pleasant lakeshore and hillside walk, tracks all the way. It has some lovely views of Lough Gill. The walk is an easy to follow route all the way. The best way to begin is from the north end of the car park and walk along the track beyond with the lake and its tiny wooded islands glimpsed through lovely deciduous trees close on the left.

• Coastal Walk in Rosses Point

  Located 8kms from Sligo, Rosses Point boasts a Blue Flag status beach, magnificent championship golf course. Spectacular scenic views with the Atlantic Ocean on the West, Benbulben dominating the view of the Northern skyline, the east Glencar valley and the Dartry mountains with Lugnagall and Truskmore, while the southern vista is completed by Knocknarea topped by a large Cairn of stones reputed to be the grave of the Warrior Queen Maeve of Connaught. Enjoy a bracing walk.

• Sligo Spur Walks

  The Sligo Spur Walks, many of which link into The Sligo Way, traverse the Ox Mountain region and stretch from Lough Talt in South Sligo to the border with County Leitrim at Dromahair. The 19 walks vary in length from about 1 hour to 6 hours. The walks are all circuits, mostly starting and finishing from a small village or town.