Dunmore Woods Loop

What: This delightful lowland walk follows a network of country lanes, river bank, forestry paths and woodland tracks through the Laois countryside. The route sets off through the Castle Durrow Estate before a quiet road bring you to the Dunmore Demense. After looping through woodland, the trail heads south along the banks of the River Nore. Leaving the river at Knockatrina Wood, where during early summer the forest floor is a carpet of bluebells and wild garlic, a series of leafy lane ways and back roads lead back into Durrow. If you have more time there is a very worthwhile longer variation (23km), known as the Leafy Loop, that extends the southern part of the route.

Start/Finish: In Durrow village opposite the entrance to Castle Durrow.

Get there: Durrow lies on the N77 halfway between Portlaoise and Kilkenny City.

Level: The trail is flat and well-marked so suited to those without much hiking experience.

Length/Time to walk: 15.6km/2hr 30min.

Pack: OSI Discovery Series map 60. You can also download the route map from irishtrails.ie.

Refuel: Bowe’s Foodhall & Cafe (bowescafe.ie) in the main square in Durrow serves breakfast, lunch and sweet treats. Sit out in the old walled garden if the sun is shining.