Lough Gill Cycle Route

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The Lough Gill Cycle route is a pleasurable 40 km cycle which loops around Lough Gill. Along the route, you pass the beautiful Parkes Castle. 

Route Description

The Lough Gill Cycle route is a pleasurable 40 km cycle which loops around Lough Gill. Along the route, you pass the beautiful Parkes Castle. 

From Sligo town, you gradually climb. The first viewpoint is towards Colgagh Lough where you can take a first deserved photo opportunity. From here , it is downhill towards the lake.

After following the lake shore, Parkes castle is reached. The castle was once the home of Robert Parke and his family. The Courtyard grounds contain evidence of an earlier 16th century Tower House structure once owned by Sir Brian O'Rourke who subsequently was executed at Tyburn, London in 1591. The Castle has been restored using Irish oak and traditional craftsmanship. 
Leaving the castle, you get a short climb which will test your legs again. The road reaches the lake again and then turns inland wards towards Dromahair following the river Bonnet.
Dromahair gives a great opportunity to feed the hungry or water the thirsty.
After Dromahair and crossing the bridge across the river Bonnet, you turn right at the small petrol station towards Sligo onto the R287.

The R287 will pass the beautiful forests of Slish wood and Dooney rock which has nice picnic areas.
After a couple of kilometers, the Sligo road is reached ​

Route Map