Top 5 walks from Belmullet
June 07, 2021
Summer 2021 is set to be the great staycation summer.
Getting outdoors is in vogue and while you can travel the length and breadth of the country seeing all the sights you can also come to Belmullet and see the best of the best in one spot.
1. Ballycroy National Park Boardwalk
This walk in the Ballycroy National Park is boardwalk which means it’s perfect for beginners, wheelchair users and pushchairs. The route takes you through expansive bog land and along the coastline looking out to Achill.
2. Ceann Iorrais
The Erris Head Loop is a 5km coastal walk taking in some of the most spectacular scenery carved out by the Atlantic Ocean. The north-facing cliffs are some of the most exposed in Ireland. Ceann Iorrais (Erris Head) is a 5km loop walk in a Special Area of Conservation. The north facing cliffs provide a wildlife treat on land and in the sea and you can view the four lighthouses of the area. On your walk, you’ll come across the WWII marine and coastguard service Look Out Post and you may be able to make out the large markings of EIRE. (Guided walks available from Alchemy.ie)
3. Cross Loop Walk
Cross Loop is a beautiful coastal trail starting at the old Cross Abbey ruins. Best done at low tide so you can enjoy the strand and The islands of Inis Gé and Inis Gluaire are visible from the shoreline.
The beach is 2.5km of this 5.7km walk then a marked pathway takes you along the sand dunes and linking to Cross Lake. For the longer 7.6km route, you walk in a loop around the lake.
4. Children of Lir Loop Walk
With views to rival The Cliffs of Moher is the Children of Lir loop walk is a long stretch along the coast and cliffs and some of the best sea views in Ireland.
One of the Ceathrú Thaidhg Loop Walks this 10km long (following the blue arrows) is named after the local connection to the famous story ‘The Children of Lir’.
The Stags of Broadhaven can be viewed from this region, as well as the famous An Bhinn Bhuí (Benwee Head).
5. The Bangor Trail
Once described by ‘The UK Telegraph’ newspaper, as one of Europe’s top 24 walking routes. The trail is a challenging 30 kilometre hike, which brings you from Newport to Bangor Erris, through the uninhabited mountain range of “Neiphin Beg”. So if you fancy a bit of time off grid this is just the ticket.
And a special mention to the The Sheskin Forest Trail. It forms part of the Western Way from Co. Galway that stretches from Ballycastle south to Bellacorick. This forest is a large area of conifer, established on the boglands of north Mayo. We enjoy a little section of often seeing wild deer but the full walk is not to be undertaken lightly!!
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