Walks on the Cooley Peninsula, Ireland
- Lee John
- Mar 20, 2015
- 2 min read
The Cooley Peninsula offers a varied and interesting landscape that is perfect for a relaxed and wild walking holiday. There are many different walks and trails on the Peninsula, the longest of which is the Tain Trail, which is 26km long and circles round the 587m high Slieve Foy. This is an upland trail that requires a certain degree of fitness. You must have the right equipment and make sure that you have enough food and drink with you. If that is a bit too arduous then there are plenty of other more gentle walks in the surrounding area, many of which can be accessed from Carlingford Village. One of the best is the 8km long walk to Maeve's Gap and back. Other walks start at Omeath to the northwest or Greenore to the east. With hills with spectacular views across the lough to Mournes, coastal delights, and rambles in lush valleys, walking on the Cooley Peninsula could be a lovely way to spend a holiday in Ireland.
Photo Courtesy http://www.travelinireland.com/pictures/carlingford-cooley-peninsula-co-louth-scenic-drive-ireland.jpg
The Tain Trail starts at the Lumpers Pub in Ballymakellett, which is located on the R174 close to Ravensdale. It ends in Carlingford which is around 30 minutes away by car. The route is easy to follow and well sign-posted with yellow man walking signs.
Another option from Carlingford is the 13km long Barnavave Loop on which you will ascend to an amazing viewpoint before descending past an abandoned village that was last occupied in the 1800s and was depopulated during the time of the famine.
The Slieve Foy National Loop walk, signed with blue arrows, will bring you up onto the mountain slopes above Carlingford. This route of around 9km will usually take around two or three hours.
The Whitestown coastal walk is a delightful and easy coastal stroll along quiet, tarmac roads. This is a perfect route for those with children, who will doubtless enjoy guddling on the sea shore.
Another good, gentle, family-friendly walk leads along the 7km between Carlingford and Greenore. Sli na Slainte is a flat and easy walk that is promoted by the Irish Heart Foundation and is pretty and scenic.
Over in Omeath is the Omeath Loop walk, a two hour, 5km stroll that will give you excellent views over Carlingford Lough. On the final descent there is a fantastic place to buy fresh local seafood for the perfect dinner after your gentle exertions.
The Annaloughan National Loop Walk overlooks the delightful vista of Dunalk Bay. This 8km route is mostly on a track but it has a mountain section that can be wet and uneven underfoot, so be sure to wear appropriate footwear. Climb on on beautiful heather-blanketed slopes and then descend through pines and spruce trees in Rockmarshall Forest.
So, if you are looking for a place for some gentle walking in picturesque surroundings, with a friendly welcome and good craic, why not head for the Cooley Peninsula to discover the many and varied delights of rural Ireland?
Content Courtesy- www.traveleze.co.uk
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