Trail · County Mayo

Deserted Village Walk Achill Island

9 km1 hr 30 minModerateOut and Back125 m climbNo dogs

Route shape, north at the top · start (filled) and finish (ring) · Sport Ireland

This walk on an old unpaved road passes through bogland, below the ruins of a signal tower and by a disused quartzite quarry to reach the abondoned roofless houses of the Deserted Village on the slopes of Slievemore Mountain with fine views of Croaghaun, Slievemore and Minaun mountains and a spectacular vista of the coast from Dooega Head and Minaun to the Carrickmore Islands off Mweelaun, with Bills Rocks out to sea.

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Outdoors in County Mayo this week

Best day outdoors: Sun, 1 Nov — dry by day, light winds, up to 11°C

Thu, 29 Oct14° / 11°Sun with light cloudGreat day outdoors
Fri, 30 Oct15° / 10°Grey cloudGreat day outdoors
Sat, 31 Oct13° / 5°DrizzleGood day outdoors
Sun, 1 Nov11° / 3°Clear weather sunGreat day outdoors

Forecast: Met Éireann · outdoor rating by Winsome Planet

Make a day of it

The nearest trails, beaches, woods and heritage within 25 km.

Trails & walks

Trail · 200 m awayAchill Island - Dooagh Loop4.4 km1 hrEasyLoopThis trail follows quiet road and gravel track through a landscape of undulating blanket bog while running alongside the Owenavally and Chongie Rivers, passing the site of a 'booley' village and with spectacular views…

Trail · 3.0 km awayAchill Cycle Hub - Loop 311.7 km1 hr 30 minEasyLoopThis loop is a pleasant short cycle with moderate climbs and some wonderful views of the Atlantic and Menaun Mountain with its cliffs. Traffic is generally light but can get busy during the holiday season.

Trail · 9.5 km awayValley Walk Achill Island - Slí Tóin a tSeanbhaile4 km2 hrModerateOut and Back

Beaches & bathing waters

Beach · 3.2 km awayKeel Beach, Achill IslandWater quality: Excellent (2025)Blue FlagLifeguards in seasonToiletsKeel Beach is a predominately sandy beach with scatterings of shingle. It is an exposed beach open to the south, and can be subject to rip tides/strong currents. To the far west there are rocky outcrops which can be…

Beach · 4.5 km awayKeem Beach, Achill IslandWater quality: Excellent (2025)Blue FlagLifeguards in seasonToiletsKeem Beach is a sheltered sandy beach facing southeast with a steep gradient. Two freshwater streams flow into the sea from the surrounding land at Keem beach. Keem Beach has a variety of habitats including large…

Parks, gardens & islands

Nature spot · 9.0 km awayAchill Island (Acaill)IslandWindswept hills of blanket bog slope down to towering cliffs and pristine sandy shores. Achill Island, or Oileán Acaill, is Ireland's largest offshore island and can be reached by car from Mayo's Corraun Peninsula.

Nature spot · 14 km awayInis Bigil (Inishbiggle Island)IslandLocated between the mainland and Achill Island in County Mayo, Inishbiggle is a unique island with stunning panoramic views of West Mayo.