Walks & Wilderness

Woodland Walks at Belvedere

Belvedere can be a place of quiet contemplation and also a bustling, vibrant, colourful place with the many events held there, it is a place resonant of the past but relevant to the future. The rolling parkland at this 160 acre lakeside estate includes extensive native woodland with looped walking trails.

Dún na Sí Trails

Take a leisurely stroll along the meandering paths through planted parklands and a wetland nature reserve, which is home to an abundance native wildlife. Directly accessible from the Old Rail Trail Greenway, this park also includes a great children's playground, adult exercise equipment and outdoor art displays.

Mullaghmeen Forest Trails

Mullaghmeen in north Westmeath is the largest planted beech forest in Ireland. This 1,000 acre broadleaved forest has an extensive network of way marked trails for varying levels of fitness. Along with beech, it also has Sitka spruce, Scots pine and Noble fir and a very interesting native tree collection.

Portlick Millennium Forest

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.

Shannon Banks Walk & Nature Trail

This walking trail starts at Athlone Castle and is approximately 5km long. It is a looped bi-directional walk which takes you along the banks of the River Shannon and the old Athlone Canal.

St. Feichin's Way, Fore

St. Feichin's Way is a 3km Looped Walk around the beautiful and historic landscape for Fore village, allowing visitors to explore this early Christian settlement which was converted by the Anglo-Normans into a chartered walled town with an important Benedictine priory.

The Westmeath Way

Take a walk through the heart of Ireland on the Westmeath Way, a 33km-long walking route from Kilbeggan to Mullingar. This waymarked way meanders through tranquil riverside meadows, with views of Lough Ennell and the River Brosna.

National Famine Way

The National Famine Way is a self-guided Trail detailing the ill-fated journey of 1,490 famine emigrants who walked from Strokestown Park to ships in Dublin during the Great Irish Famine. It follows the route of the Royal Canal, along the Royal Canal Greenway through Westmeath via Mullingar.

Carn Park Bog

On a wide stretch of land 4km east of Athlone, an expanse of bogland is bordered with conifer trees, in a thick circle of forestry that gives the whole area a fairytale vibe. This raised bog site is home to countless species of plant life, including ling, deer grass and bog cotton, which dots the field with little clouds of white for several months of the year. There’s a high level of ecological interest in this raised bog, the likes of which are now something of a rarity throughout Europe. You can explore the bog while keeping the ecosystem safe, by using the raised wooden boardwalk for your strolls. This is a protected site, so please don’t pick any flowers or plants.

Royal Canal Greenway

Stretching alongside the historic 225-year-old canal, the Royal Canal Greenway is known for its scenic beauty, rich heritage and abundant wildlife, with routes from 6km to the full 130km. The off-road level towpath is an ideal setting for walkers, runners and cyclists of all ages and stages.

Tudenham Park Trail

Soak up the tranquility and enjoy scenic views across Lough Ennell with a woodland walk through the historic lakeshore grounds of Tudenham Park House.