Make climbing Knocknarea your new habit this spring
WE ARE spoiled for choice in Sligo when it comes to hillclimbing. The options available to all who want to get those unrivalled aerial views of the county are plentiful but range in difficulty meaning not all are accessible for some walkers.
Knocknarea – one of most iconic pieces of Sligo’s natural landscape – is considered the most accessible climb for the widest range of walkers and this is supported by a number of different routes being incorporated into the mountain.
For many years the mountain was most frequently accessed by the main car park which is located just off the Glen Road. This is still a popular way up for anyone who wants the most traditional experience. In the car park you can also avail of hot drinks and snacks.
For a newer experience, you can now access the mountain from the Strandhill Road. The Sligo Rugby Club car park is open for hillwalkers, while the S2 bus route has a stop at Bree’s, just a few short steps away from the main road and located directly behind the Centra shop.
The entire trail is a six kilometre loop.
The mountain can also be accessed via Rathcarrick, a long road which can be found via a number of turn-offs on the Strandhill road. It can also be accessed via the rugby club side of the Queen Maeve trail.
If you fancy a challenge which allows you take in everything Knocknarea, Coolera and Strandhill has to offer, the mountain is also incorporated into the Kilaspugbrone Loop Walk is a 6.9 kilometre walk which is best experienced by starting from and finishing at the promenade at Strandhill’s sea front.
As always, no matter how you experience Knocknarea mountain, please do not climb on the historic cairn located at the mountain’s summit.
Hillwalkers are also asked not to bring dogs as livestock regular graze in areas dotted across the mountain.