Walking Tracks & Trails

Mayo

Explore Ballina and North Mayo through the hills and valleys, tracks and trails, walkways and routes in an unforgettable experience. Discover the rugged beauty it has on offer to visitors.  With many tracks and trails to suit all levels and abilities in Ballina and the surrounding areas there is something for everyone.

Listed below are just some of the wonderful walks we would recommend.:

Historical Walk of Ballina Town 

Ballina Historic Town Walk unveils the town's hidden gems  There are three heritage trails to choose from Red, Blue and Yellow all of which are approximately 3km and take 90 mins or so.

Some highlights you will find on the walks:

• Belleek Manor (Belleek Castle) built in the 1830’s
• The Ice House which was original built in 1859 to freeze salmon that was being exported.
• Creteboom, a concrete (yes concrete) tugboat built in WW1 in 1937.
• Ballina Workhouse
• Ballina Dolmen dating around 2000BC
• Spectacular St Muredach’s Cathedral 

While you are on the walk check out the Salmon Weir Bridge and see if you think the bridge traces the curve of a fishing rod?

Belleek Woods- Ballina

Belleek Woods is one of Europe's largest urban forests stretching for 4kms. Located along the River Moy and only 5 minutes from the Ballina Manor, the woods is home to Belleek Castle and it's newest addition the Fairy Trail.  Suitable for walking and cycling it is definitely worth the visit!

• Belleek Woods

Carrowteige Loop Walk – Belmullet

This walk will take you to the most northerly point of County Mayo and along the magnificent Wild Atlantic Way.  The walks are quite isolated in parts which adds magic. With breath taking views of jagged cliffs, caves, chasms, bogs a true rustic rural Ireland can be explored.  The most popular looped walks are listed below:

• The Black Ditch Loop
• Children of Lír Loop Walk

The Children of Lír Walk is a 10km trek and is of average difficulty where the Black Ditch walk is 13km and includes a very demanding ascent. Both walks explore rugged Ireland in unforgettable experience. 

For more information about the loop walks please see some useful websites below:

• MAYO.ME
• Mayo North

Keenagh Loop Walk 

Starting from the R311 Castlebar in the direction of Newport.   This is a 12 km trail over mountain terrain, it will take 3 – 4 hrs to complete.  It is not a walk for the faint hearted and would be considered a hard walk.  The rate of ascent makes the walk a challenging one.  This walk is one to have your camera on the ready to capture its fantastic scenery, panoramic views of mountains, valleys, rivers and streams. 

As you walk the first part of the loop you will experience the views towards Glenhest and Newport to the South.  On the return amazing views of North Mayo and all the way to the Atlantic.

Foxford Loop Walks

The beautiful town of Foxford on the River Moy lies between the Ox mountain and Nephin Mountain. There are four main walking trails to choose from which are marked and developed to offer something for everyone.

Listed below are the routes:

• Foxford Town Loop - 4km from the Town centre
• ​Shanwar / Belgarrow Loop - 8km from the Town centre 
• Foxford Way Loop – High degree of difficulty 33km 
• Callow Loop Walk – Moderate Walk 6.5km 

Blanemore Forest Archaeological Walk - Moygownagh

Blanemore Forest walk is located in the picturesque Moygownagh. This walk is moderate difficulty including boardwalks and different paths of woodland and gravel but very worthwhile and educational. The walk explores sacred burial tombs and farming methods used by the first famers. 

For more information on this walk please see below:

• Blanemore
• Mayo North

If you would like to find out more information about walks and hikes in North Mayo, check out these useful websites:

• Mayo Walks
• Mayo County Council
• Mayo Ireland
• Rachel's Irish Adventures