Glenwood

Glenwood

Walk Category: Woodland Walk
Walk Grade: Easy
Walking Terrain: Forest Trail
Waymarking: None
Trailhead: Carpark

Length: 3km
Ascent: 50m
Time: 45mins
Suggested Gear: Sturdy boots, fluids, phone
Longitude: 54.194282
Latitude: -8.583583

Directions to Trailhead

Traveling from Sligo on the N4 dual carriageway branch off left for Ballina. Continue to the village of Ballisodare, take the 3rd exit off the 2nd roundabout for Ballina (N59). Continue for approximately 6.4km and turn left for Coolaney. After 0.4 km’s take the first left for Glen Wood. There is a carpark for Glen Wood on the right after 1.6km.

The Trail Map:- OSI Map Series 25

Glen Wood is a pleasant forest walk with a lovely shaded picnic area. It is situated beneath some of the most dramatic Ox Mountain peaks and overlooks the beautiful Ballisodare Bay. The walk is approximately 2.5km in length and is suitable for all abilities. It should be noted that the initial section of the trail consists of a series of steps due to steep gradient, however, the stepped section can be avoided if not suitable for some by using the public road for a short distance to access the trail.

The Route
Upon leaving the car park and picnic area a series of steps leads the walker onto a onto a relatively flat all weather surfaced forest road. The trail is linear in nature and brings the walker through the wood providing impressive views of Doomore Mountain and intermittent but wonderful views of Sligo Bay and the dramatic scenery of North Sligo and beyond.

Did you know?
Doomore Mountain sits above and to the west of the wood, Doomore means ‘The Large Mound’, which refers to the large cairn on the summit. Preserved above Glen Wood are the remains of an upland farm settlement including a field clearance system dating back to the middle 1800’s. Nearby, some two hundred metres south of the car park, on the right hand side of the public road is a rock known as the Hungry Rock. It is said to have gotten its name from the number of people who died on the road during the famine in the 1840’s, according to folklore whoever throws a stone at this rock will never know hunger on his journey.

*Sections of this route cross Coillte property, for up to date information on diversions/closures due to tree felling, please visit www.coillteoutdoors.ie

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9 responses to “Glenwood”

  1. Declan

    Definitely could do with some signage etc. Not clear where to go or how far to go etc.

    1. Nuala Toland

      Yes there was a distinct lack of signage when we visited at the end of August 2024. Such a lovely view across to Strandhill, it could have easily been missed if we had not just kept going despite the lack of information.

  2. Mike Mitchell

    Totally confused walk.Beautiful views but you must remain 100% alert of surroundings.Poorest signage of all the Yeats Trails. I found the abandoned village (Doomore) but it is crisscrossed with fast downhill mountain bike trails. Unbelievably dangerous for tourists.

  3. Anna B

    I’ve walked this route before and intended to do the same but ended up on a different trail, which must have been a bike trail. I followed it to the end and ended up 2km from the car park up the road. It is a lethal walk because of the bends & no kerbside. I ended up walking 7.7km. So many questions. Definitely some signage needed. Bad enough for a local.

  4. Emmw

    Very poorly sign posted and not at all clear what path to take or if the walk is a loop or out and back. There is no mention in the description of the walk or at the trail head of the high volume of mountain bike activity which makes the walk very dangerous – didn’t meet any other walkers on the trail but met 7/8 mountain bikers who were going at high speed and are on top of you with no warning – no problem with mountain bikers or mtb trails but this shouldn’t be marketed as a forest walk if the main activity is biking, very misleading and an accident waiting to happen.

  5. Tony Bean

    We’d the same problem as Claire. We followed the path to the end. Climbed the mountain following a rough trail but never found the famine village. Disappointed to have missed that but a lovely walk nonetheless. Any chance of some signs/site info.

  6. Brid

    Lovely walk but signposting needed. I was confused as to where to go. I ended up walking up a hillside which took me to some ruins. I returned the way I came.

  7. Claire

    Hi, just done this walk today, lovely walk in the woods, but little and no signposting, 2 signs at the start and thats it, the walk came back on itself, but i wasnt sure where it ended, i followed a dirt path up the mountain side until it came to a big rock surrounded by a little wall not sure of any significance? And no information. Again you mentioned hungry rock couldnt find this either no sign post. These walks defo need more signposting, i am local and found it hard, what about tourists? Hope this helps 🙂

    1. Dean

      I have marked the Hungry Rock with a yellow X here.
      The rock is only visible from the road, you will need to take care while walking the road.
      https://ibb.co/Yfx4CLM

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