The Slieve Bloom Mountains are crisscrossed with a network of walking trails that are ideal for every level of walker. Set off on a relaxing 3km looped stroll through the peaceful countryside or pack your backpack and tackle a multi-day hike.
Admire the beautiful landscapes in Lough Boora Discovery Park and enjoy a spot of fishing and birdwatching on one of the park's walking trails. Choose from the Sculpture Loop, Mesolithic Loop or the Farmland Loop – these relatively easy walks range in length from 3km to 9km and start from the car park.
No trip to the Slieve Bloom Mountains is complete without walking through Kinnitty Forest – there’s a great choice of 4km to 11km long trails but the Kinnitty Castle Loop is a popular choice. Set off from Kinnitty village and walk the banks of the Camcor River until you see the historic castle. The trail turns uphill through peaceful forests (keep an eye out for herds of deer) before returning you back to Kinnitty.
Not only is the Slieve Bloom Way one of the finest trails in Offaly, this National Waymarked Trail is one of the best in the entire country. Weaving its way along the foothills of the Slieve Bloom Mountains, this challenging 71km trail climbs to lookouts with stunning panoramic views of waterfalls, forest glens and impressive mountains. Hop on the trail in Kinnitty or Cadamstown to complete a section of the route, or walk the whole loop over a few days.
Saddle up your steed and set off on a horseback adventure through the Slieve Bloom Mountains from Kinnitty Castle with Birr Equestrian Centre. The wild and varied landscapes make for bucket list horseback rides – gallop through open valleys, trek to mountain tops and trot through sparse boglands. With tours lasting from one hour to one day, there’s one for every ability level.
Feel the rush of mountain biking in the Slieve Bloom Mountains. There are some amazing routes to choose from, and bikers can rent a bike or book a tour with Mid Ireland Adventure in Kinnitty to take on the trails from the Kinnitty Trailhead.
Whether you're a thrill seeker who is ready to brave the red routes or you'd rather an easier cycle on the blue trails, you have 35km of epic trails to choose from. Expect sweeping turns, flowy downhills, fun rollers and small jumps on these man-made tracks that climb high into the mountains.
Head to Kinnitty at the base of the Slieve Bloom Mountains for an easy afternoon after a day of adventure. Take a stroll along the river that runs through the pretty village and just off the main street, look out for Kinnitty Pyramid. Built in the early 1800s, its architecture was inspired by the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt and houses the remains of the Bernard family, once the wealthy landowners of beautiful Kinnitty Castle.
The luxurious 13th-century castle still stands – grab a coffee from their seasonal hatch, wander through acres of manicured lawns and gardens and book in for lunch at Slí Dala Restaurant or the Library Bar. Continue your castle adventures with a journey to nearby Birr and visit Birr Castle Demesne. Venture through the parklands and drop by the science centre to see The Great Telescope, built by the Third Earl of Rosse in the 1840s.
If your energy levels start to dip after your adventures, grab a snack in some of Birr's lovely cafés. Drop into Emma’s Café on Main Street for a coffee, have afternoon tea in the beautifully designed tea rooms at The Stables or enjoy a slice of cake among the flowers at Woodfield Cafe and Garden Centre.
For something a bit heartier, stop by Sanjay's Kitchen in the Market Square for their authentic Indian dishes and warming curries. Or venture just outside of the town to The Thatch in Crinkill, an award-winning restaurant famous for their juicy steaks.
Keen fishermen will know that Lough Boora is one of the region's best fishing spots. Teeming with hefty trench and roach, the manmade Boora Lake almost guarantees a great catch. Once you've caught your fair share, make your way to nearby Cloghan Lake for rainbow and brown trout.
Another popular spot is Finnamore Lakes, known for its dense carp population. There is also a wheelchair-accessible fishing stand at nearby Logh an Dochais. There's also an ideal perch at the edge of the water where you can tie up your favourite lure, sit back and wait for a bite. Either way, don’t forget to pick up a permit from one of the local providers before setting off on your day out.
Keep exploring some of Ireland's incredible mountains and go on a walking and hiking holiday in beautiful Ballyhoura.
