Tracks and Trails in Wexford - Easy to Moderate

Off the beaten track, Co. Wexford has some fantastic walking trails from easy strolls along the Prom in Enniscorthy to more advance hill walking in the rugged Blackstairs Mountains. Here at the Riverside Park Hotel we have put together a few of our favourite walks for you to enjoy while staying with us.

For more information on all our walks below and more walks visit https://wexfordwalkingtrail.ie/ Here you will find maps, grade and ascent of each walk.

Oulart Hill

Three walks, centred on Oulart Hill, share one of the most historic and scenic locations in Co. Wexford.

The Unyoke Trail which is 11.5km(7.1miles), Jean Kennedy Smith Trails 4.8km(3 miles) and The Cosan Na Gloire(0.5km).

View the vast panoramas which explain the hill’s strategic military significance and why it was the site of the most influential battle of 1798. Ramble into Tulach a’ tSolais which interprets the 1790s in their particular context of the European enlightenment.

The Hill does have a carpark and the shorter two walks would be suitable for all the family.

Oulart hill is a 13-minute drive from the hotel.

Directions

From the hotel take a left to the top of the promenade. Continue straight in the right hand lane, crossing the second bridge in the left-hand lane continue straight into Templeshannon staying on the R744. At the roundabout take the second exit. Continue straight for 6.6km you will then see a turn on your left for Oulart Hill.

Bree Hill

Bree Hill is a Coillte forest which is noted for its aesthetic and recreational value. The geology of the hill is Ordovician rhyolite, a silica rich rock which was produced by a volcanic eruption roughly 400 million years ago. During this period the newly formed hill was probably a small island surrounded by a warm, tropical sea.

Bree Hill features three looped walks, individually waymarked, which start at the trailhead at the car park of Bree Community Centre in the village of Bree. These routes provide 23 km of mixed forest trails, offering peace and tranquillity and beautiful views of the surrounding countryside.

Be sure not to miss the natural spring which flows 365 days a year and is signposted on the Wilton & Beech Walks.

Parking available at the Community Centre in the Village.

Bree Hill is located 19 minutes’ drive from the hotel.

Directions

Take the first left directly at the side of the hotel. When you get to the top of this street take a left onto Mill Park Road R744. Turn left onto L2045 continue straights for 3.3km. Turn Right and continue straight into Bree Village.

Courtown Woodland

Courtown Woodland Trail is bounded by the Owenavorragh River on the north side and the canal on the seaward side to the east. The woodland dates back to pre-famine times. The four trails waymarked through the woodland are graded as easy. As you choose your walk along the River Walk, Top Walk, Canal Walk or High Cross-Walk, you are following in the footsteps of the previous Lords and Ladies of Courtown and their visitors.

A beautiful woodland area offering a cool green respite from the sunshine and sea in Courtown. These walks, with a tree-lined avenue, offer a glimpse of the past and a chance to recover from today’s busy schedules while smelling the wild garlic!

Suitable for kids of all ages and prams.

Courtown woodland is a 28-minute drive from the hotel.

Directions

From Enniscorthy take the M11. Take exit 23 and road R742 towards Courtown and follow signs for Courtown Adventure. On the approach to the village, take left turn at the V and Woodlands carpark and Trailhead 1 is on the left. Trailhead 2 is beside main entrance to the centre.

Cahore Cliff Walk

The Cliff Walk has been developed by Ballygarrett Tidy Towns and Wexford County Council. The walkway is wide and level so ideal for family walking with prams. The walk is almost 5km looped.

If you are a committed walker, you can keep walking along Old Bawn Beach and walk for miles along the sandiest of beaches. You will come to Ballinoulart beach, Ballyteige Bay beach and Morriscastle Strand. Lovely walk to explore the North Wexford Stunning Coast Line.

Parking available on the pier.

Cahore is 36 minute drive from the hotel.

Directions

At the top of the promenade continue straight in the right hand lane onto the R772. Crossing the bridge continue straight in the left-hand lane into Templeshannon on the R744 for 3.5km. At the roundabout take the second exit and stay on the R744 for approx 6km. Turn left onto the R741 after 5.5km you will then take a right and then a left onto the R742. Continue on the R742 until you see St Patricks Church on your left. Take the next right-hand turn and follow the road into Cahore.

Forth Mountain

Forth Mountain is a rock outcrop rising to a height of 780 feet (235m) just south west of Wexford town. No other mountain in Ireland can boast of 500-600 million-year-old rock, a pivotal location in the 1798 Rebellion, the remains of houses built in the early 1900s, a grotto, and a climb of almost 235m high. Shelmaliere Commons: The start of the trail in the New Line car park is very steep. You will pass Carrigatinna Rock on your right, one of many Cambrian quartzite mounds. Further on, the right track takes you out to Skeator Rock where panoramic views of the Wexford coastline include Rosslare, Our Lady’s Island, Saltee Islands, Hook Head lighthouse and across into Dunmore East and the Waterford estuary. In Pennylands, delightful viewing points include the Grotto and another near Clourane. The Tincurra trails are a gentler gradient and you can enjoy the picturesque views of Barntown, the Blackstairs Mountains and the west of the county as you follow the trail downhill. Covers over 10km and would be ideal for the more avid walkers

Fourth Mountain is a 25 minute drive from the hotel.

Directions

At the top of the promenade continue straight in the right hand lane. Crossing the second bridge, stay in the right lane changing to the left lane as you come down temple Shannon quay. Continue straight on the N11 the main Enniscorthy to Wexford Road. At the first roundabout take the second exit to continue straight. At the second roundabout take the second roundabout to continue straight also. At the third roundabout at Whitford House Hotel take R733 (third exit) for Duncannon. After approx. 6.5km, the entrance to the car park is on the right.

Tintern Abbey

Choice of 5 walks ranging from an easy 20 min walk to approximately 1 ½ hours moderate walk.

Gardners Trail – easy 20 min walk suitable for buggies and wheelchairs 0.9km

Demesne Trail – easy 40 min walk 2.4 km

Bannow Bay Trail – Moderate 1-1.5 hour walk 7.2 km

Foxboro Trail – Moderate 1 hr walk includes some climbs 3.5km

Buggy Trail – Moderate 5km walk

Pretty inland countryside with quiet woodland walks, combined with a stretch of coastline which is particularly beautiful, makes this part of Wexford one of the most scenic areas of Ireland.

These walks encompass many distinctive attractions, including spectacular scenery, ancient monuments and a variety of birdlife.

The area around Bannow Bay has strong links with the past and there is much to engage the interest of the walker. The Normans first landed in Ireland at Bannow in 1169 and dominated the region for many years. Their influence can still be seen in the wealth of castles and other remains which dot the landscape. A fine example of their legacy can be seen at the Cistercian monastery of Tintern Abbey.

Walkers can enjoy panoramic views out over Bannow Bay and of the Saltee and Keeragh islands as they follow the road beside the bay, which is an important bird watching area. The mild climate of this part of south-east Ireland ensures year-round food sources and therefore good overwintering grounds for a wide variety of migratory birds. An expanse of mudflats exposed at low tide offers an ideal habitat for large numbers of waders, Shelduck, Brent geese and other wildfowl.

Directions

From the hotel follow the one-way system to get on to the main Wexford Road N11 (opposite hotel) follow this road until you come into Wexford. At New Ross Roundabout take the 2nd exit on to N25 until to come to Duncannon Roundabout at that roundabout take the 3rd exit on to R733 follow for 25 km and then turn left on L4041 signposted Saltmills. After 1Km turn right at the entrance to Tintern Abbey where car parking is available.

Askamore

Contains four routes to suit all abilities:

Askamore loop is 6km long

Ballybeg loop is 9km

Sliveboy is 12km

St Brigid Loop is 10 km

All four walks begin at the trailhead in the carpark at Askamore Village, with an uphill walk on a minor road surrounded by magnificent views to the Wicklow Hills. Entering the wooded area of the walk will lead to amazing views of the Wexford Coast.

The trails divide giving various options to continue your walk through the hills some of which will bring down a loop road back to the village

If you’re feeling up to it, an unmarked path will take you to the summit at 420m.

We would recommend these trails for all the family but on a dry day.

Askamore is a 25min drive from the hotel.

Directions

From Enniscorthy take the N11 to Ferns Village. Take Carnew road R745 (turn at Doyle’s Pub) and follow for 10 km. Turn right at Byrne’s machinery breakers. Follow L-1015 for 1.6 km to Askamore

 The Riverside Prom River Walk

A lovely scenic walk along the banks of the river Slaney and it is right on our doorstep! The trail starts on a pathway running along the embankment leading to a foot bridge. Crossing the footbridge, you are now on a gravel pathway surrounded by an array of fauna on a semi wild meadow which is part of an extensive Special Area of Conservation. There are stunning views of the Valley including Brownswood which was home to the famous furniture designer Eileen Gray.

There are many benches spread along the trail for you to sit and take a moment to enjoy the peace and tranquillity with only the sound of the birds and wildlife break the silence.

The walk is almost 3km long so 6km when looped.

Beginning of the walk along the pathway would be suitable for all the family but the gravel pathway is not ideal for prams.

Directions

When you come out the hotel doors cross the road unto the pathway just opposite and follow the pathway down to your right.

Raven Point Wood

Is a gorgeous woodland walk which runs adjacent to Curracloe Beach. The Trail is an easy walk along a forest path ideal for all the family, whether it be for a bike ride, jog or stroll. There are several tracks off the main trail which loop around the Sand Dunes that have been forming in this area since the 1600s.

Raven Point Wood, owned by the National Parks and Wildlife Service is a Nature Reserve. As such, is it home to a variety of flora and fauna. As you walk, you may be lucky enough to see red squirrels, grey seals and other wildlife.

The full trail is 6.8 km. Car parking available, suitable for whole family.

Directions – Continue along Quay, at second bridge turn right, keep right, continue along quay, keep left up the hill, then sharp right, continue up past the Apple garage then take a right, continue through Ballymurrin village, take a right at the T-junction, then a left to Screen village and this will bring you into Curracloe village, take a left and a right which will bring you to Curracloe Beach and the Raven.

For walks that are more challenging, visit our Moderate to Hard Trails page and discover a range of new places to walk and hike in Wexford.