Clashganny Forest Looped Walks
The name Clashganny comes from the Irish, Clais Ghainimh – meaning ‘the sandy river trench’. Along these routes the walker will encounter secluded forest trails along with native flora and fauna to be found along the banks of the River Barrow.
Clashganny Lock Loop Walk
The Clashganny Lock Loop is through an old wood which has had forestry cover present since the 1800s. 4km long, it takes approximately 1.5 hours to complete over flat terrain.
A-B : This walk is signposted by green arrows. Walk from the Clashganny Lock car park towards the River Barrow and keep left, following the river downstream. The old towpath that you are following is wide and easy to follow and is marked by both green (this walk) and yellow (Barrow Way) arrows. After a short distance, follow the canal until you reach Ballykeenan Lock.
B-C : Shortly after this, follow the green arrow and take a sharp left back uphill on a forest road. After 50m follow the green arrow to turn left again onto the narrow forest track. This delightful forest path, rugged in places, runs through deciduous woodland with glimpses to the river below. It will take you on a parallel line back upriver. Near the end, the path descends by an old mass rock and joins the tarmac road below.
C-A : Turn left to return the short distance to the car park.
Clashganny Viewing Point Loop Walk
Along this route the walker will pass some historic land marks including a mass rock. The walk which is 6km in length takes approximately 2 hours to complete along relatively flat ground.
A-B : The walk is signposted with purple arrows. Walk downhill from the car park, following a forest track. This track descends for a kilometre, reach a Y-junction where you veer right and downhill towards the River Barrow.
B-C : After a short distance, follow the purple arrow and take a right turn onto a narrow forest path. This delightful rugged path, narrow in places, runs through deciduous woodland with glimpses of the river below. After 2km, the path descends by an old mass rock and joins the tarmac road below.
C-D : Turn left now and follow the road down to the main Clashganny car park and the river. Walk through the car park and follow the river downstream. The old towpath that you are following is wide and easy to follow and is marked by both purple (this walk) and yellow (Barrow Way) arrows. After a short distance, you will reach Ballykeenan Lock, where the canal re-enters the river.
D-A : Shortly after this, follow the purple arrow to turn sharp left and back uphill on a forest track. You now rejoin your earlier route and follow the forest track back uphill to the Clashganny Viewing Point car park.
