Raghly Loop Trail

Raghly Loop Trail – video by Omedia
Raghly

Walk Category: Coastal Walk
Walk Grade: Easy
Walking Terrain: Coastal Path,
Minor Roads
Waymarking: Red Arrows
Trailhead: Raghly beach carpark
Dogs: Open Farmland – No Dogs Permitted

Length: 3km
Ascent: < 30m
Time: 35 mins
Suggested Gear: Sturdy Shoes
Longitude: 54.330548
Latitude: -8.647062

Directions to Trailhead

Take the N15 north from Sligo. At Drumcliffe, turn left along the L3305 for Carney. In Carney village, continue as the road bears left and continue past the entrance to Lissadell. At Dunleavy’s shop (approx. 5km from Carney), turn left for Raghly and continue along this road for a further 4km until you can see Raghly Pier ahead. There is roadside parking on your right. The trail continues uphill to your right, through a kissing gate and along the clifftop.

The Trail Map:- OSI Series 16

The Route
The Raghly Loop Trail overlooks the sea in one of the most picturesque parts of the county. It provides almost 360 degree views over the Atlantic and is a short, easy and spectacular walk. New signage provides the visitor with all of the information they need to navigate the walk and to discover more about the local area. This is a looped trail, so you can take either direction, but we preferred going anti-clockwise for better views. So, heading slightly uphill past a row of houses on your left, you reach the entrance to the cliff walk on your right after a short distance. The walk brings you along a gravel path, with sheep grazing in fields to your left and unrivalled sea views to your right. The path is fenced in so you can feel as close as possible to the Atlantic without having any concerns about the proximity of the cliff edge. 

The famous blowholes are the most eye-catching feature (other than the sea views themselves). These blow water vertically, especially during stormy weather, as water gushes up through holes created over millions of years through the porous limestone rock.

Before you begin to turn inland, a low bench has been installed for you to take a breather and drink in those Atlantic views. As you turn away from the coast, you join a minor road, where you turn right, heading downhill towards the harbour. From here it is a short walk back to the starting point.

This walk is part of a countrywide network of high-quality, circular walks being developed by local community, local development companies, local authorities in collaboration with Fáilte Ireland, The Department of Community & Rural Development and Sport Ireland.
This walk has been developed with the kind assistance of local landowners and organisations. It is understood that if persons enter private land they do so by permission and with the consent of the landowners and no matter how often they enter, or in what numbers, they do not do so as of any right.

Think Safety!
A section of this route is shared with vehicles – be aware!
Keep Children under close supervision
Take adequate clothing, food and fluid
If you encounter any difficulties, contact emergency services on 999 or 112

Dogs permitted under supervision.

Nearby walks you might like

Lissadell

A pleasant linear walk along a forest path which
runs between the public road and Drumcliffe bay

Streedagh

A linear coastal route along an impressive
3km long sandy beach

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2 responses to “Raghly Loop Trail”

  1. Sabine Krenkler

    We walked the Raghly loop walk today and found several sections of fencing along a sheer cliff section missing. As beautiful as the walk could be, we did not feel safe to proceed on a windy day and turned back rather than complete the walk. It is dangerous and needs to be rectified as soon as possible before there is a serious accident.

  2. Ciaran MacNamee

    Completed this trail in January – even in mid-Winter this is a terrific walk. The signposting and points of interest are very well done, great views of Ben Bulben, and Sligo Bay.

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