Best Places to Hike in County Carlow: Local Trails That Serious Walkers Need to Know About

County Carlow may be Ireland's second-smallest county, but it packs a serious punch for hikers. This southeastern corner of Leinster offers exceptional trails through ancient woodlands, along riverside paths, and across dramatic granite mountain ranges—all without the tourist crowds that plague more famous walking destinations.

What sets Carlow apart is its ancient pathway network. While many Irish counties established formal hiking routes in recent decades, Carlow's trails include pilgrim paths and cattle drover roads dating back to medieval times. The county shares the same granite bedrock formation as the Wicklow Mountains, creating a distinctive landscape with exposed stone outcrops and dramatic mountain silhouettes unique within Leinster.

Premier Hiking Trails in Carlow

Mount Leinster and the Blackstairs Mountains

The crown jewel of Carlow hiking, Mount Leinster (795m) sits on the Carlow-Wexford border and offers the most challenging and rewarding hike in the county. The Nine Stones route from the car park takes approximately 2-3 hours for the round trip.

Visitor tips: Early morning offers the clearest views—on a good day, you can see five counties and even the Welsh coast. Pack extra layers as the summit is often 5-8°C colder than ground level, even in summer.

Unlike the more developed and crowded Wicklow Mountains trails, Mount Leinster offers similar elevations but with a fraction of the hikers, particularly on weekdays. The 911-meter TV and radio mast at the top makes it impossible to get lost.

South Leinster Way

This 104km waymarked trail crosses through Carlow, connecting Kildavin to Carrick-on-Suir in Tipperary. The Carlow section (approximately 35km) includes particularly scenic stretches through Borris and along the River Barrow.

Visitor tips: The complete trail takes 5-6 days, but the Clashganny to Graiguenamanagh section (10km) makes for a perfect day hike, taking 3-4 hours at a leisurely pace. Spring offers spectacular displays of bluebells in the woodlands beside the path.

While the Wicklow Way sees over 24,000 hikers annually, the South Leinster Way typically hosts fewer than 6,000, offering a more peaceful experience with equally stunning landscapes.

Barrow Way

Following the old towpath of Ireland's second-longest river, this 114km trail runs from Lowtown in Kildare to St. Mullins in Carlow. The Carlow section is particularly beautiful, with magnificent oak and beech trees forming natural tunnels in sections.

Visitor tips: The 16km stretch from Leighlinbridge to Bagenalstown is relatively flat and suitable for most fitness levels, taking 4-5 hours. Summer months bring the added bonus of wild swimming opportunities at several safe spots along the route.

Unlike the more developed Grand Canal Way near Dublin, the Barrow Way retains a wilder, more authentic feel with its mix of working locks and natural river sections.

Oak Park Forest Park

Just 3km from Carlow Town, this 120-acre woodland offers 4km of looped trails through mature oak forest. The Butlers Woods Trail (2.5km) and the Lake Path (1.5km) are well-maintained and accessible.

Visitor tips: Visit in October when the oak and beech trees create a spectacular autumn display. Allow 1-2 hours to complete all trails at a leisurely pace. The park is wheelchair and stroller accessible.

What makes Oak Park distinct from similar woodland parks in Leinster is its exceptional tree diversity—over 30 species including massive sequoias and rare native yews, some dating back 400+ years.

Kilbrannish Forest Recreation Area

Part of the Blackstairs Mountains range, Kilbrannish offers three waymarked trails ranging from 3-8km. The Red Trail provides spectacular mountain views without the challenge of summit hiking.

Visitor tips: Best visited midweek as weekends can get busy with mountain bikers sharing some trail sections. The 8km loop takes approximately 2.5 hours and is moderate difficulty.

Unlike the more commercial forest parks in County Wicklow, Kilbrannish retains a wild feeling with fewer facilities but more authentic natural experiences.

Hidden Hiking Gems

Clashganny Lock Loop

This 6km loop near Borris combines riverside walking with forest paths. Locals know to bring swimwear in summer months for a dip at the lock pool—one of the county's best wild swimming spots.

The stone lock keeper's cottage here was the filming location for scenes in the 1973 film adaptation of "The Last September"—a fact not mentioned in any tourist literature but proudly recounted by locals.

Rathgall Hillfort Trail

This short but fascinating 4km loop takes you around one of Ireland's most important but least visited archaeological sites. The massive stone fort dates back to 800 BCE and local folklore claims it was built by a giant race known as the Fir Bolg.

What few visitors know is that on the summer solstice, the sunset perfectly aligns with a gap in the western wall—a feature believed to have astronomical significance but rarely mentioned in guidebooks.

The Aghade Holed Stone

A short 2km walk from Tullow brings you to this curious megalithic monument featuring a perfectly circular hole—large enough for a person to pass through. Local tradition maintained until recently that couples who clasped hands through the hole would never part.

The stone sits on private farmland, but locals know the farmer is happy for respectful visitors to access it via a small gate marked with a red ribbon.

Deerpark Old Coal Mines Loop

This lesser-known 7km trail near Bagenalstown takes you through former coal mining territory with visible remains of mine shafts and workers' cottages. The trail follows what was once a horse-drawn railway used to transport coal to the Barrow.

Ask locals about the "Connaught Rangers' march"—when this route was used by Irish soldiers returning from the Napoleonic Wars, creating a tradition of annual reunions that continued until the 1920s.

Event Calendar

Spring (March-May)

Carlow Walking Festival (April): Three days of guided walks across difficulty levels, including night hikes on Mount Leinster with stargazing.

Blackstairs Foraging Walks (May): Expert-led walks teaching identification of wild edible plants, culminating in a feast prepared from foraged ingredients.

Summer (June-August)

Barrow River Festival (June): Includes guided historical walks along the Barrow Way with local historians sharing stories of river life through the centuries.

Mount Leinster Heritage Weekend (July): Features guided hikes focusing on the 1798 rebellion history and the mountain's role as a lookout point.

Borris House Festival of Writing and Ideas (June): Literary festival including guided "writers' walks" through landscapes that inspired famous Irish authors.

Autumn (September-November)

Carlow Autumn Walking Weekend (October): Specialized walks showcasing the county's spectacular fall colors, particularly through oakwoods.

Fungi Foraging Expeditions (September-October): Expert mycologists lead groups through Kilbrannish Forest, identifying edible mushroom species.

Winter (December-February)

St. Stephen's Day Mountain Challenge (December 26th): A local tradition where families climb Mount Leinster on the day after Christmas.

Winter Wildlife Tracking (January): Guided walks focusing on identifying animal tracks and signs in Oakpark Forest when foliage is minimal.

Family Activities

Clashganny Forest Fairy Trail

A 2km loop designed specifically for children with fairy doors, tiny houses and imaginative wooden sculptures hidden among the trees. The trail takes about an hour to complete and includes activity sheets available at the trailhead.

Ages: Perfect for 3-8 year olds who'll delight in spotting the fairy homes, while older children enjoy the scavenger hunt elements.

Altamont Gardens Adventure Walk

These stunning gardens include a specially designed children's discovery trail that teaches about local plants and wildlife through interactive stations. The relatively flat 3km looped walk suits all abilities.

Ages: The varied activities appeal to children 5-12, with different challenge levels for various age groups.

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Permanent orienteering markers installed throughout this forest park create an adventure that combines hiking with problem-solving. Maps are available online or at the Carlow Tourist Office.

Ages: Simplified courses for 7-10 year olds, with more challenging options for teenagers and adults.

Carlow County Museum Hiking History Tour

This indoor/outdoor experience combines a museum visit with a guided town walk following the "Carlow Through the Ages" trail. Perfect for rainy days when outdoor hiking isn't feasible.

Ages: Best for history-minded kids 10+, though the museum has interactive elements for younger children too.

Delta Sensory Gardens Nature Trail

A fully accessible 1km trail designed with features for children with sensory processing needs or mobility challenges. The trail incorporates sound, texture, and scent elements.

Ages: Designed to be inclusive for all ages and abilities, with particular benefits for children with special needs.

Local Business Highlights

Osborne's Storehouse, Rathanna

After hiking the Blackstairs, locals head to this traditional pub at the mountain's base. Their signature dish is slow-cooked Blackstairs lamb stew, made with meat from sheep that graze the mountain slopes you've just hiked. Their homemade blackberry liqueur uses fruit harvested from the mountain paths.

The Step House, Borris

The perfect reward after completing the South Leinster Way section, this award-winning restaurant specializes in hyperlocal ingredients. Don't miss their foraged mushroom risotto featuring varieties collected from nearby Kilbrannish Forest. Their "Hiker's Platter" serves two and includes a selection of local cheeses, cured meats and homemade bread.

The Mullicháin Café, St. Mullins

Perfectly positioned at the end of the Barrow Way, this riverside café housed in an 18th-century canal storehouse serves the best coffee in the county according to locals. Their specialty is "Barrow Bites"—savory scones made with wild garlic foraged from along the riverbank.

Blackstairs Eco Trails Shop

This small but exceptional store in Borris sells handcrafted hiking sticks made from local ash, hand-drawn trail maps more detailed than anything commercially available, and unique botanical watercolors depicting plants found on Carlow's mountain paths.

Duckett's Grove Craft Shop

Located in the atmospheric ruins of a Gothic mansion, this shop specializes in locally made wool products, including hiking socks specifically designed for the terrain of Mount Leinster—extra cushioned at pressure points common when hiking on granite.

Hiking in County Carlow

County Carlow offers hikers an authentic Irish experience without the tour buses and crowded trails found in more famous walking destinations. From the challenge of Mount Leinster to the gentle riverside paths of the Barrow Way, Carlow's diverse trails provide something for every ability level.

What makes hiking in Carlow special is the connection between landscape and heritage—every path tells stories of the county's rich history, from prehistoric settlements to industrial heritage. The relatively compact nature of the county means you can experience mountain, forest, and riverside walks all in a single day if you choose.

Whether you're a serious hiker looking to conquer the Blackstairs range or a family seeking accessible nature trails, Carlow's walking routes offer authentic experiences without the commercial trappings that sometimes detract from Ireland's better-known hiking destinations.

Now, check out our guide about the best hiking spots in County Kildare.

🎯 For Locals

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