Description
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This looped drive starts in Coolaney village. The route will bring you through the Ox Mountains twice, but will also follow a coastal route where you can admire views as far as Donegal and towards the Dartry mountains. The route is diverse, from driving across small mountain rivers to the golden sand of Dunmoran beach to the climb up Knocknashee, this 96km loop will let you discover the many highlights within the Ox Mountains.
The narrow roads through Ox Mountains are quiet, and the only time you might have to stop is to let a flock of sheep cross the road or to take another picture. |
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The route
Start - Coolaney
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The small village of coolaney is your starting point. The quiet rural village which sits at the foot of the Ox Mountains is home to Coolaney National Mountain Bike centre.
Within the village is a beautiful walk along the banks of the Owen Beg river. The National mountain Bike Centre provides you with many exciting mountain bike trails which bring you to the top of the stunning Ox Mountains. |
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Ladies Brae Picnic Area
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The Ladies Brae picnic area is a beautiful spot to have a picnic or just let the kids play in the Owenboy river. The river cascades down between boulders and rocks until it reaches the picnic area where the river is calm. Small trout can be seen jumping out of the river.
Carrying on along the route, the small road meanders its way through the heart of the Ox Mountains. Forest, heather and bog provide a rugged backdrop with around each corner more stunning scenery. Once you reach the top of the road, the views across the Atlantic and as far as Donegal is just fabulous. From here, you will make a fast decent towards the coast. |
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Dunmoran Strand
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Dunmoran Strand is a popular beach for swimming. With a lifeguard present during the summer months, it is a safe beach to let the kids go wild. With dunes as a backdrop, this large beach provides plenty of space to go Wild. After a refreshing swim or beautiful walk, follow the coastal road towards Aughris Head. |
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Aughris Head
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Aughris Head is a great spot to stay for a couple of hours. The Beach Bar is an authentic tatched pub which provides you with the perfect location to enjoy a drink or meal. A small turf fire roars inside the pub during the colder winter months.
From the Beach Bar, walk towards Aughris pier which is popular for fishing or pier jumping. Another option and highly recommended is the looped Aughris Head walk which allows you to discover the sea caves, visit the highest cliffs in Sligo where you can admire the many birds nesting against the cliff edge or see one of the many curious seals popping their head above the water. |
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Dromore West - Dunneill river walk
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In Dromore West, you can top up the car with petrol if needed. Nearby the petrol station is the Dunneill river walk which follows the meandering river downstream.
The walk will bring you along green pastures where cows graze, but will also bring you across the fabulous Ballygilcash and Donaghintraine bridges. After the walk, it is time to jump into the car and drive along the Ox Mountain scenic route which will now bring you back deep into the Ox Mountains. |
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Easky Lough
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At Lough Easky, you can decide to do a 6km looped walk around the lake. Carrying on from the lake, it feels like time stood still. The farmhouses are spread along the valley with sheep and chickens freely roaming on the road. Where you pass a signpost to masshill, turn right.
Masshill is an outdoor place of worship. |
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Lough Talt
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Driving through the inner heart of the Ox Mountains, you will reach beautiful Lough Talt.
Lough Talt is part of the Lough Hoe Bog Special Area of conservation , an area of montane bogland and oligotrophic lakes. Another 5.5km looped walk runs around the perimeter of the lake. |
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Knocknashee Walk
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Knocknashee is the last walk of the day, but also the one which will require you to climb a steep path.
Knocknashee is a 276 meter flat-topped limestone hill located close to the village of Lavagh. But it is so much more than just a hill, on top was once a bronze aged fortified fort which stretched over an area of 700m x 320m. The fortification was made up of 2 ramparts made of limestone and earth, within the fort were huts and 2 cairns which can still be seen. One of the cairns is open, the second one was never opened. For more details on the walk, go to Knocknashee - CHOOSE SLIGO |
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