Slieve Bloom Way

Please note this trail can be started and finished at the Monicknew, Kinnitty, Cadamstown and Clonaslee trailheads as well as Glenbarrow. There is car parking available at all of these, however the car park at Glenbarrow is heavily used and it can be difficult to find a space here.

Walking
County Laois
4.4/5
21 reviews
Grade Strenuous
Length 71.4 km
Am 3.75 days
Format Loop
Ascent 1275 m
Dogs Allowed No
Waymarking Yellow arrow on black background
Start Point
Glenbarrow
Finish Point
Glenbarrow
Nearest Town to Start Clonaslee
Grid Ref. N 368 081
Lat. and Long. 53.12221, -7.45025

Although their highest point, called Arderin or 'the height of Ireland', is at 527 m, the isolated range of the Slieve Bloom Mountains have a presence that belies their height. They stand alone in Ireland's Central Plain, which means they can be seen for many miles around and the views from their heights are very extensive. The Slieve Bloom Way, a 70 km circuit of the range, crosses high, heathery ridges and dips down into many deep and beautiful glens through which streams flow, hidden landscapes as full of character as they are of stories and legends. The range is heavily forested with modern conifers which lends much of the route good terrain on forestry roads but means long sections have little outlook. Generally terrain consists of forestry tracks, tarmac roads, mostly quiet, and paths beside streams and over open moorland, some of which can be wet and muddy. Apart from in Kinnity, there is no accommodation available on the actual route, but there are towns and villages of considerable character strung around the range, some quite close to the route, that provide overnight accommodation. The total aggregate ascent over the route is 1275m, but there are no significant climbs. For more information follow external link to Shannon Region Trails

Trail Management

Facilities

Car parking
At Start/Finish - car park at Glenbarrow

The upgrade work at Clarnahinch / Ballyhuppahane is now completed and the Slieve Bloom Way returned to its original route here. All diversion signage has been removed.
5 kms or 14% of the Way follows local roads. Some soft ground may be encountered on parts of this route.
***Dogs not permitted on any section which crosses private farmland.***

Map Guides

Map Guides

Map Guide for Slieve Bloom Way & Offaly Way - Laois Offaly Walking Partnership / Slieve Bloom Way Map - EastWest Mapping

OSI Maps

OSI Maps

Discovery Series Sheet 54
Public Transportation

Public Transportation

At Start: None.At End: None

21 trail reviews
4.4/5
Write your own review of this trail
5/5
03/25/2013

Franz from France

I've done it on march and the weather was a real additional difficulty but the trail is really pleasant with no too hard way. I've done it in two days and a half. The tagging is really good and no need special map (except maybe in the ridge of capard when it's in the fog).

Grounds are really varied and road / path / ascent / descent are well-balanced. I've seen deers everydays. Now, I know what is a loand of bog ! Thanks to all the Laois Offaly Walking Partnership and specially Ann for her help and for the good work they've done !

(Sorry for my English... I'm just a French guy)

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