NATIONAL TRAILS Exploring Irelands Network of Scenic Trails
Summertime is here, the weather is great and it's an ideal time to get out for a walk, cycle or trail run on one of many walking and cycling trails developed throughout the country.
As part of a series on trail walking in Ireland, the Irish Examiner have published three free walking guides to the beautiful Beara and Dingle peninsulas and the picturesque Ballyhoura region in north Cork. All three regions offer a range of excellent walking and cycling trails and are great places to visit and enjoy the great outdoors.
These free publications coincide with the launch of a new website www.irishtrails.ie from the Irish Sports Council aimed at promoting a growing network of recreational walking and cycling trails throughout the country
Cormac MacDonnell, from the National Trails Office highlights the fact that since Ireland's first waymarked trail, the Wicklow Way, was opened in 1982, more than 40 similar trails have been established throughout the country including the Beara Way, Dingle Way and Ballyhoura Way (all of which will be featured in the paper over the next few days). Included in this network is the ancient pilgrim route of St. Patrick in Co. Mayo, the rugged Western Way in Co. Galway and Mayo and the dramatic Táin Way on the Cooley peninsula in Co. Louth.
These trails have been designed to cater for walkers of all ages and levels of health and fitness. They are planned so that, in the right conditions, anyone should be able to enjoy them, at their own pace. While experienced walkers may wish to experience some of the longer trails like the Kerry Way of Dingle Way, most people can choose to walk short scenic sections with family and friends for half day or day walks.
The trails have been developed with the agreement of landowners and are signposted to make them easier to follow. They predominantly follow woodland paths, grassy boreens and quiet country roads in the lowlands, and forestry tracks and mountain paths in the uplands. While the routes do not involve severe climbs or dangerous cliff edges, walking the upland sections gives a tangible sense of wilderness and a feeling of being truly up there, among the high summits.
In addition to the longer National Waymarked Ways a growing number of other walking and cycling trails are being opened for the public in scenic areas, national parks and forest areas throughout the country. Coillte our state forest company have developed a huge network of recreational walking and cycling trails in places like Guagan Barra and Farran Forest Park in Co. Cork and in many other forests around the country.
Over 150 new National Looped Walks have also been developed throughout the country in recent years all of which are predominantly located off-road, range in length from an hour to half day and full day walks and are all designed so that users do not have to retrace their steps.
Cycling trails are also being developed ranging from relaxed, off-road low land trails suitable for all, to more rugged and challenging mountain bike trails. Road based routes are also available catering for all abilities from the casual to the experienced cyclist. Examples of these include the Sean Kelly Cycling trail in Waterford and the Ballyhoura mountain bike trails centre.
All in all, lots of varied and different trails in every part of country to choose from, all making it easier to experience and explore the Irish countryside and great outdoors this summer with family and friends.
Irishtrails.ie is a new website from the National Trails Office of the Irish Sports Council. It allows users to search for and find information on waymarked walking, cycling and other trails in Ireland. Trails listed on the site range from short looped walks to longer multiday trails, are graded to guide users on what to expect and all provide a great way to experience and explore the Irish outdoors.
Additional Information
The 7 basic principles of the Leave No Trace ethics offer a guide to all trail users:
- Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Be Considerate of Others
- Respect Farm Animals and Wildlife
- Travel and Camp on Durable Ground
- Leave What You Find
- Dispose of Waste Properly
- Minimise the Effects of Fire
- www.leavenotraceireland.org/