The Slieve Bloom Way: A Walking Weekend Worth Leaving the Motorway For

The Slieve Bloom Way: A Walking Weekend Worth Leaving the Motorway For

The Slieve Bloom Way is a 70km circular walking route sitting right in the heart of Ireland, under two hours from Dublin, Limerick and Galway. If you are looking for a walking weekend away from the overcrowded trails of Kerry and Wicklow, this is the route that deserves your attention. Ancient mountains, hidden glens, wonderful waterfalls, and on most days, barely another soul on the path.

That last part matters more than it might sound. Kerry is stunning but the car parks at Killarney are full by nine on a Saturday morning. Wicklow is beautiful but it is essentially Dublin’s back garden at weekends. The Slieve Bloom Way sits quietly in the middle of the country, easy to reach from almost anywhere, and largely undiscovered by the walking crowds that have taken over the more famous trails. For anyone who values a bit of peace on the hill, that is reason enough to go.

Getting There: Closer Than You Think

The Slieve Bloom Mountains are under two hours from most major Irish cities, making the Slieve Bloom Way one of the most accessible long distance walking routes in the country.

No mountain passes, no winding coastal roads, no bank holiday tailbacks. You can leave Dublin after breakfast and be on the trail before eleven.

No car? Not a problem either. Take the Irish Rail service to Portlaoise and connect with TFI Local Link Route 823, which runs seven days a week and stops directly at Kinnitty, Cadamstown and Clonaslee, three of the main trailheads. For taxis between trailheads during the walk, Flaherty’s Taxi is the local service. Call Robert on +353 86 100 1063. He also does airport runs if you are travelling from further afield, though it is worth calling ahead to book as he can be busy.

Route 823 stops at Kinnitty Main Street at the following times:

For train times to Portlaoise visit irishrail.ie. For bus times visit TFI Local Link.

What to Expect on the Route

The Slieve Bloom Way is rated moderate to hard and is best suited to walkers of medium fitness or higher. It follows a mix of forest tracks, riverbanks, old roadways, grassy trails, boardwalk sections and quiet minor roads.

The mountains are among the oldest in Europe, with rocks ranging in age from 300 to 450 million years old. The highest point is Arderin, translated as the Height of Ireland, at 527 metres. Much of the higher ground is designated as a Special Area of Conservation, home to hen harriers, buzzards and a vast open landscape of blanket bog and heather moorland that rewards walkers who take the time to slow down and look around.

The route passes through the villages of Kinnitty, Cadamstown and Clonaslee and takes in remarkable glens, rock outcrops, heathery summits and wonderful waterfalls throughout. Walking in a clockwise direction is recommended as it makes for a more natural and enjoyable journey through the landscape.

One useful note on waymarking: you will occasionally come across directional arrows in other colours along the route. These mark the shorter looped walks that start and return to individual trailheads. Keep an eye out for the yellow arrows specifically to stay on the Slieve Bloom Way.

Key Facts at a Glance

The Six Trailheads

The Slieve Bloom Way can be started from any of six trailheads. All have car parking facilities.

Kinnitty is the most convenient trailhead if you are staying at Ardmore Country House, located approximately 2 km from the village on the R440 towards Mountrath. It is also the only trailhead village with access to a café, restaurant and pub, making it the most practical base for the walk.

Glenbarrow is reached from Rosenallis village on the R422, taking the minor road signposted Glenbarrow for approximately 5km. The scenery here is stunning but the car park gets very busy at weekends, so arriving early is strongly advisable.

Clonaslee trailhead is located on the R422, approximately 0.2km from Clonaslee village on the road towards Brittas Lake.

Cadamstown trailhead is at the car park near Dempsey’s in the village on the R421.

Monicknew Forest car park is approximately 12km from Clonaslee, and 19km from Kinnitty..

Capard offers access to the southern section of the route. Signposted from Rosenallis.

Also Worth Knowing: The Offaly Way

The 37km Offaly Way is a long distance linear walk that links with the Slieve Bloom Way at Cadamstown. Because it is linear rather than circular you will need transport at both ends, so it requires a bit of planning. Worth considering if you are spending several days in the area and want to combine both routes.

When to Go

The Slieve Bloom Way is walkable year round, with each season offering something different.

• Spring: The woodland floors along the route are carpeted in bluebells and the landscape is at its most lush, especially in late April The annual Slieve Bloom Walking Festival also takes place on the May Bank Holiday weekend.
• Summer: Long evenings and generally good weather. Pack midge repellent for still days near the wetter sections and bring layers as the higher ground can be cold and windy even in summer. Ling Heather, which often dominates the drier heathland on the upper reaches of the mountains, typically blooms from August into October .
• Autumn: The bog and heather glow with rust, amber and gold. One of the finest times to walk the route.
• Winter: Quiet, dramatic and genuinely wild. Go well prepared and let someone know your route and expected return time.

Kit List: What to Bring

Good preparation makes a significant difference on the Slieve Bloom Way. Even on a fine day the weather on the higher ground can shift without much notice.

• Waterproof boots, trail runners will leave you wet within the first hour on a typical day
• Waterproof jacket and trousers even if the forecast looks good
• A warm mid layer as the plateau can be cold and windy
• Gaiters for the open bog sections
• The Slieve Bloom Way map, free to download at slievebloom.ie or available from Ardmore Country House
• Plenty of food and water, as Kinnitty is the only trailhead with access to food and drink along the route
• Walking poles are worth considering for a three day walk

One important note: mobile coverage can be patchy on the higher ground and in some of the glens. Download your maps and route offline before you set out and do not rely on your phone for navigation in those sections.

Where to Stay for the Slieve Bloom Way

Ardmore Country House in Kinnitty is a Walkers Welcome B&B right at the trailhead, and one of the most practical bases you will find for walking the route. Your host Christina is an avid walker herself and is happy to share maps, route advice and genuine local knowledge to help you get the most out of every day on the trail.

Staying at Ardmore includes:

• Comfortable en suite rooms with a wholesome breakfast to set you up for the day
• A self catering cottage for groups or families who prefer their own space
• Free parking for the duration of the walk for guests staying two nights or more
• Walking maps and personalised route advice
• The local taxi number for getting to and from trailheads
• Packed lunches available on request or at Peavoy’s Cafe in the village.
• Dinner recommendations at the Dungeon Bar in Kinnitty Castle Hotel, a short walk from the house

Kinnitty is the only trailhead village with a café, restaurant and pub, so you will always have somewhere to eat and unwind at the end of a long day on the hills.

Check availability and book your stay here.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the Slieve Bloom Way? The Slieve Bloom Way is 70km with a total climb of 1,275 metres. Most walkers complete it over three days.

Which direction should I walk the Slieve Bloom Way? Clockwise is recommended as it makes for a more natural and enjoyable journey through the landscape.

Can I get to the Slieve Bloom Way without a car? Yes. Take the Irish Rail service to Portlaoise and connect with TFI Local Link Route 823, which stops at Kinnitty, Cadamstown and Clonaslee seven days a week. For taxis between trailheads call Robert at Flaherty’s on +353 86 100 1063.

Where can I get a map? Download a free map from slievebloom.ie or collect one from Ardmore Country House in Kinnitty.

Is the Slieve Bloom Way suitable for beginners? The route is rated moderate to hard and is best suited to walkers with a reasonable level of fitness. If you are new to long distance walking, trying one of the shorter looped walks in the Slieve Blooms first is a good way to get a feel for the terrain.

Where can I eat along the way? Kinnitty is the only trailhead village with a café, restaurant and pub. For all other sections bring your own food and water as there are no facilities along the route.

Is there parking at the trailheads? Yes, all six trailheads have car parking. Glenbarrow gets very busy at weekends so arriving early is advisable. Guests staying two nights or more at Ardmore Country House can leave their car at the house free of charge for the duration of their walk.

What is the best time of year to walk the Slieve Bloom Way? The route is walkable year round. Spring is beautiful for the bluebells and autumn is spectacular for the colours on the bog and heather. May is also when the Slieve Bloom Walking Festival takes place.

Ardmore Country House is a Walkers Welcome B&B in Kinnitty, Co. Offaly, at the trailhead for the Slieve Bloom Way. Christina is happy to help with maps, routes, transport and anything else you need to make the most of your time on the trail. Get in touch here or book your stay directly online.