Trail · County Laois
Slieve Bloom Way
Notice: Please note this trail can be started and finished at Monicknew, Kinnitty, Cadamstwon and Clonaslee as well as Glenbarrow. Carparking is available at all of these locations. However, the car park at Glenbarrow is heavily used and spaces can be difficult to find. On occasion, the Ridge of Capard may be closed to the public. When this happens, the route between Monicknew and Glenbarrow is diverted, as shown by the red line on the overview map and the Monicknew to Glenbarrow map. This diversion increases the Monicknew – Glenbarrow section from 16km to 19.5km and the total trail distance from 70.5km to 74km Waymarkers will be in place to clearly indicate the revised route when the Ridge of Capard is closed.
Although their highest point, called Arderin or 'the height of Ireland', is at 527 m, the isolated range of the Slieve Bloom Mountains have a presence that belies their height. They stand alone in Ireland's Central Plain, which means they can be seen for many miles around and the views from their heights are very extensive. The Slieve Bloom Way, a 70 km circuit of the range, crosses high, heathery ridges and dips down into many deep and beautiful glens through which streams flow, hidden landscapes as full of character as they are of stories and legends. The range is heavily forested with modern conifers which lends much of the route good terrain on forestry roads but means long sections have little outlook. Generally terrain consists of forestry tracks, tarmac roads, mostly quiet, and paths beside streams and over open moorland, some of which can be wet and muddy. Apart from in Kinnity, there is no accommodation available on the actual route, but there are towns and villages of considerable character strung around the range, some quite close to the route, that provide overnight accommodation. The total aggregate ascent over the route is 1275m, but there are no significant climbs. For more information follow external link to Shannon Region Trails
Maps and more
Outdoors in County Laois this week
Best day outdoors: Sun, 11 Oct — dry by day, breezy, up to 13°C
- Fri, 9 Oct13° / 8°Light rain
- Sat, 10 Oct12° / 6°Scattered clouds
- Sun, 11 Oct13° / 13°Sun with light cloud
Make a day of it
The nearest trails, beaches, woods and heritage within 25 km.
Trails & walks
Forests & woodlands
Parks, gardens & islands
Nature spot · 17 km awayGash GardensGardenCastletownGash Gardens are a plant enthusiast’s garden in County Laois, created by an Irish dairy farmer.
Nature spot · 19 km awayClonohill GardensGardenPortlaoiseClonohill Gardens are set at the foothills of the Slieve Bloom Mountains. The gardens have been designed and developed to enhance the existing landscape with many mature trees providing a shady home for woodland treasures.