Sligo Way, Ireland

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John P

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Trail stats

Distance: 50.54 mi
Elevation gain: 3,314 ft
Technical difficulty: Easy
Elevation loss: 3,760 ft
Max elevation: 868 ft
TrailRank: 52
Min elevation: 9 ft
Trail type: One Way

Time: 3 days 15 hours 51 minutes
Coordinates: 4868
Uploaded: May 11, 2022
Recorded: April 2022

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near Largan, Connaught (Ireland)

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Trail photos

Itinerary description

The Sligo Way runs for 81 kilometres through the county in Ireland of the same name, and can be completed in three or four days. Splitting into three sections, the first from Lough Talt to beyond Easky Lough ("lough" is the Irish name for a lake) is through forestry and moorland, up a valley and over a ridge, mainly on gravel tracks. The second section is on quiet, single track roads, mainly through farmland but with a section over mountains by forestry with panoramic views from Ladies Brae. This middle section visits the villages of Coolaney and Collooney where there are shops and other facilities. Collooney also has a train station with quick links to the city of Sligo, as well as Dublin. Finally, the third section from Collooney to Dromahair is in my opinion the best, through Union Woods, a natural forest rather than a conifer plantation, over hills and moorland on a well maintained path, then through Slish Woods to follow the banks of Lough Gill. Dromahair is the terminus of the Sligo Way, a village with shops and bars. Nearby are Abbey ruins.

More details in my blog https://johnpone2.blogspot.com/search/label/Sligo%20Way .

The next section of my trip on what might be the E2 is at https://www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trails/link-from-sligo-way-to-miners-way-102456620 .

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Waypoints

Bench by Lough Lumman

Lunch by Lough Lumman made pleasant by a handy bench overlooking the water.

Dromahair

The village of Dromahair is the end of the Sligo Way, I stopped at the Centra supermarket where they sold coffee and breakfast rolls.

Collooney Train station

I caught the train from Collooney to Sligo for the night. Collooney has a café, shops and other facilities. This route diverts into the centre of the village to visit these offerings (especially the Nook Café).

Coolaney

Village with shops. The Sligo Way follows a Riverbank walk, but I diverted into the main street to visit the shop for a coffee.

Creevelea Friary

Creevelea Friary dates from the 16th century but Oliver Cromwell shut it down in 1642. The ruins are used as a graveyard.

Ladies Brae

Ladies Brae is a hill with fine views to the north.

Millennium Woods Camping spot

Millennium Woods have been planted in various parts of Ireland to celebrate the year 2000, one tree for each member of the population. Only native trees were planted in an attempt to recreate Ireland's native forests. I chose a spot in one of these woods to camp for a night, leaving no trace of my stay.

Multiple Sligo Way Trails

I was a little confused as the signs implied there were alternative routes for the Sligo Way, although my documentation suggested there were not.

Innisfree viewpoint

Yeats wrote a poem about the Isle of Innisfree and from this jetty you can see the island. There is a handy information board with the poem on. Its sentiments are as relevant today as they were in 1888.

Sligo

Although the city of Sligo is not on the Sligo Way it is worth a diversion by catching a train from Collooney. In addition to accommodation, shops, cafes, restaurants, bars etc. there is a ruined abbey. I also liked the wall murals.

Start of Sligo Way

The Sligo Way starts by Lough Talt, close to the border with County Mayo.

Union Rock

Although not directly on the Sligo Way, worth the diversion to these rounded rocks to see the view.

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