Choice of walks for beginner
and experienced walkers
6th – 8th October 2023
If you’re a serious rambler or just like to stretch your legs and enjoy the view, then the Carlow Autumn Walking Festival is for you!
The magnificent Blackstairs Mountains and the picturesque River Barrow form the perfect backdrop for a range of superb walks to suit all levels. Explore on foot the lush green landscape associated with Ireland’s Ancient East, immerse yourself in thousands of years of history and heritage found in abundance in County Carlow. The Carlow Autumn Walking Festival is a great opportunity for the beginner, experienced or advanced walker to enjoy the challenges of Carlow’s mountain treks or the peace of its woodland walks.
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Friday 6th October
A unique opportunity to experience the magic of walking in the Blackstairs as night falls. Walkers love the experience of the mountains at night-time – the peace and tranquility of nature can be seen and heard so clearly and it’s a joy to identify the towns and villages dotted throughout the countryside below. Spectacular views of County Carlow are on offer through the autumn darkness. Experienced guides from local clubs who have regular night walks all year round will accompany the walk. This is a popular walk, not to be missed – a torch is essential. Route will be decided on the night.
Saturday 7th October
Scullogue Gap is the ideal location for a bracing hike – this walk takes in most of the higher peaks of the Blackstairs Mountains including Mount Leinster, Black Rock Mountain and the Cloroge’s.
This walk covers Tomduff Hill, Slievebawn, Mount Leinster and Black Rock Mountain before finishing in Ballycrystal. Led by a professional mountaineering Ireland course director and mountain leader, this walk will cover some useful navigation and orienteering tips, which will take your skills to the next level for hill walking.
Wit and wisdom comes aplenty with Éanna Ní Lamhna, environmentalist and RTÉ personality. Walkers are sure to learn lots about the habitats and natural world of the Blackstairs on this pleasant route as Éanna introduces some of the amazing habitats of the Blackstairs from conifer plantations to upland bog, hedgerow and scrub, and the birdlife that thrive here including kestrals, peregrine falcons, skylarks and pheasant. This walk promises to be an informative tour of all things to do with our wonderful natural world, opening hearts and minds to this very special place.
Éanna will be signing copies of her most recent book Our Wild World.
The Blackstairs Mountains has a fascinating historical heritage and this walk led by knowledgeable local guides will introduce walkers to some of its key aspects. This five – six hour mountain walk explores its ancient history – time will be taken to look and talk about sites of historical interest and the overall history of the area. Normal hill walking gear required.
This walk is an excellent introduction to the landscape of this beautiful mountainous area and some of its main peaks including Blackstairs Mountain (733 metres) and the historic site of Caher Roe’s Den (564 metres). Caher Roe was reputedly a highwayman or Robin Hood type character who hid his treasure on this part of the mountain in a cave, where some of his stolen loot is apparently still stored!!.
From the Nine Stones walkers will enjoy some stunning views as they drop down to the cattle grid on the Mountain Road, before travelling around to Tomduff and up to the cairn on Slievebawn and returning to the Nine Stones vantage point. The Nine Stones Viewing Point provides an unrivalled vista of the rich and colourful Carlow and south-east countryside spread out like a tapestry before you, and on a fine day walkers can even catch a glimpse of the Welsh coastline. From here walkers will travel over to Corrabut Gap before climbing Kilbrannish Hill and following the route of the South Leinster Way to its start, in the peaceful and unspoiled village of Kildavin.
In conjunction with Carlow Sports Partnership, this walk, led by local guides introduces walkers to the benefits of outdoor activator poles. These include a full-body workout, pain relief, balance, core strengthening, walking success, posture, cardio fitness and weight management. Activator poles help maintain proper posture, especially in the upper back, and may help to strengthen upper back muscles. Research shows that using activator poles burns more calories than standard walking. A set of sanitised activator walking poles will be provided on the day.
Ever wondered how to capture stunning pictures of the outdoors? This informative walk led by Richard Smyth LIPF introduces you to the basic principles of photography in the wild. Bring along your camera or mobile phone and enjoy the wonderful views northwards over the plains of Carlow, along this well surfaced forest path.
Mix history and heritage, flora and fauna in this fascinating walk through the rural countryside of the Rathanna area, in south Carlow. After leaving the village the walk ascends Tomduff Hill before continuing along quiet country roads and paths offering fabulous views of Mount Leinster and the surrounding countryside. Walk led by an experienced local guide.
Sunday 8th October
Starting from the Nine Stones you ascend Mount Leinster in a southerly direction. From the TV mast you proceed onto Knockroe before descending into Scullogue Gap. From there the walk again ascends onto the Blackstairs Mountains with stunning views over Carlow and Wexford before finishing in Knockmulgurry.
This mountain walk provides an insight into the skills required for hill walking to ensure you get the most from future walking trips. While not a formal course, areas covered will include map reading and navigation. Taking in the forestry trails at Deerpark, the walk then continues onto Greenoge passing the wind turbine station before descending to Corrabut Gap. From there the walk continues through Kilbrannish South Forest along the Black Banks finishing at the famed viewing spot of the Nine Stones. This walk provides great variety for those interested in learning how to navigate different landscapes within the mountains and will include some navigation/orienteering tips. Led by a professional mountaineering Ireland course director and mountain leader. Normal hill walking gear required.
Running from Drummond to Knockmulgurry, this walk starts at the southern end of the Blackstairs range, before continuing northwards to Carriagalachan Gap and then downwards to Knockmulgurry, near the village of Ballymurphy. Fabulous views of the south Blackstairs area.
With a height gain of 433 metres, this route provides a pleasant 4-5 hour walk at any easy pace providing lovely views of the surrounding peaks of Croaghaun and Mount Leinster.
This walk commences at Rathnageeragh Castle (in ruins) before ascending Slievebawn and then descending into Tomduff. From there the walk passes through Raheenkyle and Raheendarragh before ascending once again to finish at the Nine Stones vantage point.
The Blackstairs Mountains has a fascinating historical heritage and this walk led by knowledgeable local guides will introduce walkers to some of its key aspects. This five – six hour mountain walk explores its ancient history – time will be taken to look and talk about sites of historical interest and the overall history of the area. Normal hill walking gear required.
In conjunction with Carlow Sports Partnership, this walk, led by local guides introduces walkers to the benefits of outdoor activator poles. These include a full-body workout, pain relief, balance, core strengthening, walking success, posture, cardio fitness and weight management. Activator poles help maintain proper posture, especially in the upper back, and may help to strengthen upper back muscles. Research shows that using activator poles burns more calories than standard walking. A set of sanitised activator walking poles will be provided on the day.
Once a thriving commercial river, this walk brings its past history to life with an interesting account of the canal system, its cargoes, lock gates and lock houses. A leisurely river walk along the banks of the lovely River Barrow.
There could hardly be a better location in County Carlow to practise the principles of mindfulness and to begin to understand about its helpful benefits to our daily lives. Altamont Gardens, often referred to as one of Ireland’s top three gardens, is a superb setting to re-connect with nature and experience the restorative power of its trees and well-maintained landscapes.