Work starts on a new walking trail to finish Knocknarea loop
THE old and the new Queen Maeve hiking trails on Knocknarea are set to be connected by a new loop trail next year.
When open, the new loop trail will allow hikers to turn left at the top of the section of the new Queen Maeve Trail opposite Sligo Rugby Club, walk around the north face of the mountain and connect up with the original old trail.
It will mean climbers can go up the new Queen Maeve trail, down the old trail and back around the loop to wherever they started or vice versa.
100metres has been laid down so far but Sligo County Council is keen to stress to the public however that the walk will not be opened before next Spring at the earliest. Any attempts to walk the trail before then are unauthorised.
State Forestry company Coillte has been the driving force behind the trail, with Sligo County Council and Sligo Walks.ie rowing in behind to support the development of the new loop.
Archaeological work along the route has been completed with nothing major found apart from some material from the neolithic or megalitic period recovered.
It was decided to further develop a loop trail on Knocknarea after the new Queen Maeve walking trail took off and became the most successful walking trail in the county.