Carlow Autumn Walking Festival

Friday 30th September

B Walk – Walk 1 – Magic, Myth and Moonlight Under the Stars – Night Hike

€20.00
Walking at night-time is a great way to step out of your comfort zone and try something out of the ordinary. Putting on your boots after sunset can make for a great adventure and no better place than on the Blackstairs Mountains which takes on a whole new atmosphere in darkness.

Spectacular views of the lowlands of Carlow can be enjoyed, in the presence of welcoming guides from local walking clubs who have regular night hikes all year round.

Saturday 1st October

A Walk – Walk 2

€20.00
An ideal location for a bracing hike, this walk takes in most of the higher peaks of the Blackstairs Mountains including Mount Leinster, Cloroge Mór, Cloroge Beg and Black Rock Mountain. Spectacular views of the surrounding countryside and the lowlands of Carlow can be enjoyed on this strenuous walk.

A Walk – Walk 3

€20.00
Led by French man Emmanuel Chappard who has a passion for making the great outdoors accessible to all, this walk covers Tomduff Hill, Slievebawn, Mount Leinster and Blackrock Mountain before finishing in Ballycrystal. Helpful tips designed to improve navigation and map reading skills also form part of this walk.

B Walk – Walk 4 – The Natural World

€15.00
Wit and wisdom come aplenty with Éanna Ní Lamhna, environmentalist and RTÉ personality. Walkers are sure to learn lots about the habitats and natural world of the Blackstairs on this pleasant walk to John’s Hill and the windmills at Greenoge, before passing by Croaghaun and Rossacurra and then finishing in Myshall Village.

B Walk – Walk 5 – History and Heritage of the Blackstairs Mountains

€15.00
The Blackstairs Mountains has a fascinating historical heritage. This five-hour mountain walk explores its history with a focus on standing stones, ancient rock art, raths, dolmens and old settlements. While still a mountain walk, time will be taken to look and talk about sites of historical interest and the overall history of the area. Normal hill walking gear is required.

B Walk – Walk 6

€15.00
A good introduction to the landscape of this beautiful mountainous area offering fabulous views of the surrounding countryside and some of its main peaks including Blackstairs Mountain (735 metres) and the historic site of Caher Roe’s Den and Carrigalachan Gap (463 metres).

B Walk – Walk 7 – Nine Stones to Kildavin

€15.00
From the Nine Stones walkers will enjoy some stunning views as they drop down to the cattle grid on the Mountain Road, before travelling around to Tomduff and up to the cairn on Sliabh Bán and returning to the Nine Stones vantage point.

C Walk – Walk 8 – Photographic Walk in Kilbrannish Forest North Recreation Area

€10.00
Ever wondered how to capture stunning pictures of the outdoors? This informative walk led by Richard Smyth LIPF introduces you to the basic principles of photography in the wild. Bring along your camera or mobile phone and enjoy the wonderful views northwards over the plains of Carlow, along this well surfaced forest path.

C Walk – Walk 9 – Outdoor Mindfulness Meditation Walk

€10.00
There could hardly be a better location in County Carlow to practise the principles of mindfulness and to begin to understand about its helpful benefits to our daily lives. Altamont Gardens, often referred to as one of Ireland’s top three gardens, is a superb setting to re-connect with nature and experience the restorative power of its trees and well-maintained landscapes.

Sunday 2nd October

A Walk – Walk 10

€20.00
Starting from the Nine Stones you ascend Mount Leinster in a southerly direction. From the TV mast you proceed onto Knockroe before descending into Scullogue Gap. From there the walk again ascends onto the Blackstairs Mountains with stunning views over Carlow and Wexford.

B Walk – Walk 11

€15.00
This pleasant four-to-five-hour walk takes in the stunning natural features of the South Blackstairs Mountains and the historic South Carlow area.

B Walk – Walk 12 – Getting the most from your walking trips – introduction to hillwalking

€15.00
French man, Emmanuel Chappard who lives in County Carlow has a passion for making the great outdoors accessible to all. This mountain walk provides an insight into the skills required for hill walking to ensure you get the most from future walking trips.

B Walk – Walk 13

€15.00
Newly developed the Kilbrannish Trail links the set of trails in Kilbrannish North and South Forests to make one complete circuit.

B Walk – Walk 14

€15.00
This walk commences at Rathnageeragh Castle (in ruins) before ascending Slievebawn and then descending into Tomduff.

B Walk – Walk 15 – History and Heritage of the Blackstairs Mountains

€15.00
The Blackstairs Mountains has a fascinating historical heritage. This five-hour mountain walk explores its history with a focus on standing stones, ancient rock art, raths, dolmens and old settlements.

C Walk – Walk 16

€10.00
Stroll along this ancient towpath, past 250-year old lock gates and enjoy the stunning views of this stretch of the Barrow Valley between St Mullins and Graiguenamanagh.

C Walk – Walk 17

€10.00
Mix history and heritage, flora and fauna in this fascinating walk through the rural countryside of the Rathanna area.