Abbeyleix Loops - Killamuck Bog Loop
Grade
Moderate
Length
7.5 km
Time
2 hours
Format
Loop
Ascent
30 m
Dogs Allowed
On a lead
Waymarking
Purple arrow on white background
Start Point
Manor Hotel Abbeyleix
Finish Point
Manor Hotel Abbeyleix
Nearest Town to Start
Abbeyleix
Grid Ref.
S 436 844
Lat. and Long.
52.907005, -7.351705
This walk on minor roadways, riverbank, forestry paths, bog paths, old railway line and woodland tracks brings you through different environments around Abbeyleix from old buildings (like the Old South School and Church of Ireland Church) to the Lord's Walk, from woodland to bogland to old railway line and through an area managed as a wildlife habitat. It has much of historical interest to offer.
Maps and other information
External Links
** PLEASE NOTE SOME OF THE BOARDWALK ON THIS TRAIL MAY BE SLIPPERY WHEN WET **
This trail crosses a main road at a couple of points so take care.
Dogs are allowed on a lead.
OSI Maps
Discovery Series Sheet 60
Brian from Kildare
A well signposted trail. Boots a must as there's some pretty boggy terrain, and the trail wouldn't really be suitable for anyone on wheels. We saw an information board at the end of the trail, which might have been more useful at the start of the trail. Reversing the trail direction would give walkers the signboard at the start, too!
There's 2 more blank boards along the abandoned railway which could be used to highlight maybe the flora and/or fauna of the area, or some information about the railway (there's an interesting 2-arch bridge along the route) and give a bit more interest.
Walking in the reverse direction will also get the long (a little boring) straight section out of the way first, but the arrow signs are designed for one-way use only.
Kudos to those in Abbeyleix who've organised the trail, it's a pretty nice way to spend a couple of hours.
There's 2 more blank boards along the abandoned railway which could be used to highlight maybe the flora and/or fauna of the area, or some information about the railway (there's an interesting 2-arch bridge along the route) and give a bit more interest.
Walking in the reverse direction will also get the long (a little boring) straight section out of the way first, but the arrow signs are designed for one-way use only.
Kudos to those in Abbeyleix who've organised the trail, it's a pretty nice way to spend a couple of hours.
David from Wicklow
A very good trail. It would benefit by a guidebook, if you don't have a good botanist guide as I had.
The directions to the trailhead need reviewing. Change 'Kilkenny' to 'Durrow', and 'village of Durrow' to 'town of Abbeyleix'
The directions to the trailhead need reviewing. Change 'Kilkenny' to 'Durrow', and 'village of Durrow' to 'town of Abbeyleix'
Claire from Kildare
The loop was under 2 hours long and the going was easy all the way. A section of the trail had a boardwalk and the remainder was through woods and a pathway through the bogland. Lots of wildlife, birds ,butterflies and a huge array of unusual wild plants and flowers are to be found on the trail which began and ended at the Manor Hotel just outside Abbeyleix.
All in all it was a most enjoyable walk and the Abbeyleix Bog Project is a testament to the tremendous work undertaken by the committee of volunteers who have invested so much time and energy over many years. Well done to you all.