Best Walks near the Shannon

LOUGH KEY FOREST PARK
Easy, 3 to 4.2km

Walking trails edged with wildflowers, fragrant woodland paths, huge emerald-coloured lawns – Lough Key Forest Park is a wonderland of amazing walks, beautiful lake views and an abundance of historic treasures. Having been granted to the King family from the previous ruling McDermotts in the 17th century, Lough Key evolved into a place of mansions and gate lodges, fairy bridges and a landscaped park that was designed to have a natural feel to it. It's a fabulous place to spend a day getting lost amongst the bluebells, wood sorrel and yellow iris and wandering into a woodland of Scots pine, Sitka spruce and the awesome western red Cedar. Take your time and take it all in.
https://loughkey.ie/trails-tours/walking-and-cycling-trails/

CARRICK-ON-SHANNON
Easy 4.5km

This sign-posted town trail covers 31 sites along the main streets of Carrick on Shannon. The focus of the trail is to peer through the lens of history, taking in distinctive landmarks and historic events all placed within the context of the people who lived there.

Carrick on Shannon is full of architectural delights and surprises. Walk around the town and you will come across old stone buildings that have been imaginatively restores; a neglected church renovated, an elegant parish hall modernised, an intriguing piece of historic street furniture repaired or other fascinating remnants of the past.
https://leitrimtourism.com/walks-and-trails/town-village-walks/a-walk-through-carrick-on-shannon/

DERRYCARNE WOOD
Easy, 2.5km

This pleasant woodland walk is not too arduous at only 2.5km, but it brings you through glorious woodland and alongside Lough Boderg so what it lacks in length, it makes up for in beauty. The woodland itself is a delightful mix of beech, oak, holly, Sitka spruce and Lawson cypress and the remains of an ice house can be seen along the shore.
https://leitrimtourism.com/walks-and-trails/forest-walks/derrycarne-wood-lough-boderg-trail/

ROOSKEY CANAL LOOP AND LOCK WALKS
Easy 1.6 to 4km

From the lock at Rooskey it's a little over a kilometer to the village and the new canal loop walk. There's a canal running parallel to the Shannon from lough Boderg to the lock in Rooskey. The canal was built to redirect river traffic when the bridge over the Shannon was built and fell into disrepair. The local Rooskey Town and Development committee raised funds to restore the canal and build a 2km loop walk from the main street to the lock and back to the river.

PORTLICK MILLENIUM FOREST
Easy - 1.9km to 5km

This is a wonderful walk that explores the wooded glades and farmlands of Portlick and the Whinning peninsula of Lough Ree.  The trail is 5km with shorter alternatives.  Enjoy native trees and attractive and varied views of Lough Ree and an old ruin features near the south-west limit of the walking trail.

Portlick, meaning, "part of the flagstone surface" refers to the limestone bedrock that occurs extensively in the region.  Portlick is a native hazel/ash woodland with lesser amounts of oak, whitebeam, holly, alder, willow, birch and hawthorn.  The forest floor is home to woodrush, bluebell, primrose, wood sorrel, violet, ivy, lords and ladies and bramble.

The medieval tower house, Portlick Castle, is still occupied today and there are a number of other notable houses in the vicinity of the forest, including Whinning House, the ruins of which are within the forest site.
https://www.visitwestmeath.ie/get-outdoors/walks-wilderness/portlick-millennium-forest/

THE CONNAUGHT WALK ATHLONE

Starting at the bridge in Athlone town centre cross the Bridge of Athlone and visit the castle. Leave the castle and proceed north along the river passing the Church of St. Peter and Paul, the town library, a memorial to Count John McCormack, Costume Barracks and Athlone Boat Club. Proceed under the impressive railway bridge, follow the road round to the left, pass the old railway station and continue to the traffic lights.

Turn left into Magazine Road. The road runs parallel to the disused canal that was used prior to completion of the works necessary to route the navigation along the main river channel. At Battery Bridge take the left fork and proceed along Connaught Street.

Continue along O\'Connell Street and Chapel Street passing the Dean Crowe Memorial Hall on the right. Just after the hall turn left into Excise Street. At the end of Excise Street follow the road left into Fry place, the centre of Athlone\'s left bank district. Take the first turn right and walk to the river. Turn left and proceed back to the jetty.
http://trails.ie/detail.php?id=784

PORTUMNA FOREST WALK
Easy 1.6km to 10km

Walking through the scented coniferous woodland of Portumna Forest Park, don't be surprised if you hear a rustle in the trees or catch the flash of a fluffy white tail. Fallow deer are common to this forest, and are among the wildlife that will be your companion (sometimes seen, sometimes unseen) as you wander through this natural wonderland. The Rinmaher (10km) and Bonaveen (10.5km) trails are rewarding, lengthy routes that weave through marsh, green fields, woodland and lakeshore, past gnarled oak trees that twist skyward and under native birch trees. Most beautiful of all are the glimpses of the lough, with its birdlife, ragged islands and glassy waters. Cyclists are also welcome here and there are two designated bike trails, as well as family-friendly loops and wheelchair-accessible paths.
https://www.discoverireland.ie/galway/portumna-forest-park-forest-friendly-walking-trail
https://www.coillte.ie/site/portumna-forest-park/

MILLENIUM CROSS WALK
Easy, 2.4km

6 km along the Portroe Road out of Ballina is a lovely walk of 2.4km on a rough track through open bog land with some steep bits. This brings you to the site of the Millennium Cross, erected here in 2006.
There is a small parking area available, and a seating bench at the summit where you will see some breathtaking views of Lough Derg.
https://discoverloughderg.ie/millennium-cross-walk/
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/ireland/county-tipperary/millennium-cross-and-lough-derg-loop

A walking trail through Portumna Forest Park.

This sign-posted town trail covers 31 sites along the main streets of Carrick on Shannon.

Enjoy the numerous walks and trails through the native woodlands in lough Key Forest Park.