Forest Parks/Walks
A number of interesting Forest Parks and Walks are situated in the vicinity of Lough Derg, which offer an ideal recreational outlet for visitors and a great opportunity to explore the nearby countryside.
These include:
Portumna Forest Park, Portumna, Co. Galway
Portumna Forest Park is located near Portumna at the northern end of Lough Derg.
The Park was once owned by the Clanrickard family that lived at Portumna Castle, and extends to almost 610 hectares (1,500 acres)
There are forest and lakeside walks, car park, toilet facilities and observation points. A viewing tower is also positioned along the nature trail where visitors can get a bird's eye view of the forest, lake and lakeshore.
The park is easily accessible by water and road. The forest is mainly coniferous but also contains a wide variety of broadleaved trees, both native and exotic. There are wide open spaces, green fields, scrub, marsh, water and numerous off-shore islands in addition to the woodlands.
Further information:
Derry Crag Wood & Rosturra Wood Nature Reserves, Woodford, Co. Galway
These nature reserves, each within two miles of Woodford, comprise fragments of a once extensive forest. They now contain strands of oak and ash as well as holly, hazel and a rich ground flora.
Both reserves, which were established in 1983, are state owned.
W: www.npws.ie
Castlelough Forest Walk, Portroe, Co. Tipperary
This walk is located on the banks of Lough Derg, west of Nenagh and 5km from Portroe village.
Thers is a car park, picnic tables, water skiing, fishing, cruises on the River Shannon. Castleough has 2km and 3km-lakeshore walks through old broadleaf belt surrounding conifer and broadleaf plantations.
Further information:
Telephone: +353 (0)61 337322
Web: www.coillte.ie
Doon Forest, Broadford, Co. Clare
This Forest Walk, near Doon Lake in Broadford, Co. Clare, features a lay-by, lakeshore picnic site, plus forest and shore walks.
Further information:
Telephone: +353 (0)61 337322
Web: www.coillte.ie
