DISCLAIMER: This cycle route has been signposted by Sligo County Council. Cyclists use this route entirely at their own risk. No responsibility can be accepted by the local authority, or by the publishers and authors of this information board, for any loss, damage or injury caused or sustained during your cycle.

The Lough Gill Cycle Loop is a 40km on-road cycle route around Lough Gill, passing through some of the most scenic areas of Counties Sligo and Leitrim.

A number of viewing/picnic spots are located along the route which include lay-bys and Coillte Forest Walks and Nature Trails. The route passes close to Hazelwood, on the shores of Lough Gill, which is immortalised by William Butler Yeats in his poem ‘The Song of Wandering Aengus’. Close to the route is the Lake Isle of Innisfree Viewing Area, which looks out at the Isle of Innisfree, the retreat wished for in William Butler Yeats Yeats’ poem ‘The Lake Isle of Innisfree’. The route passes close to the Court Tomb Trail at Deer Park, the restored 17th century Parkes Castle, the ruins of the Franciscan Creevelea Friary, Coillte’s forest trails at Union Wood, Cairns Hill and Tobernalt Holy Well.

LOUGH GILL CYCLE LOOP

Description of the Loop

Cycle Loop OverviewStart/Finish andViewing/Picnic Spots

Sligo CityTrain & Bus Station

Viewing Area at Colga Lough

Viewing Area Sligo side of Parke’s Castle

Dromahair Village

Slish Wood

Dooney Rock

Holy Well Road Lay-By

Cleveragh Pontoon

Suggested Placesof Interest

Hazelwood

Deer Park

Parke’s Castle

Creevealea Friary

Lake Isle of Innisfree Viewing Area

Union Wood

Holy Well

Cairns Hill

Distances to Places of Interest

Map Legend

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© Ordnance Survey Ireland. All rights reserved. Licence number 2010/20 CCMA/ Sligo County Council

Friary, Coillte’s forest trails at Union Wood, Cairns Hill and Tobernalt Holy Well.

Start: Train / Bus Station, Sligo City

Distance: 40 km

Estimated Time: 3-4 Hours

Terrain: Moderate – Mainly Regional Roads

Traffic: Moderate

To Suit: Suitable for people with moderate levels of fitness and experience cycling on public roads.

Minimum Gear: Helmet, Bike, Mobile Phone, Fluid, Snacks and Waterproofs.

Services: Services are available in Sligo City, Dromahair Village and Ballintogher Village southwest of Dromahair village.

Moderate – Mainly Regional Roads

12

3

45

6

7

8

A

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C

D

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START &FINISH

Dromahair

Sligo City

EASKEY

Dromore WestSkreen

Beltra

Dunmoran

LoughEaskey

GlencarLough

Lough Gill

LoughTalt

LoughGara

LoughArrow

LadiesBrae

RaughleyLissadell

Streedagh

Carney

Rathlee

Corballa

Culleens

Cloonacool

T H E O X

MO U N T A I N S

( S l i e v e G a mp h )

Aclare Banada

CurryBellahy

Moylough

Charlestown

Ballinacarrow

Bunnanaddan

Coolaney

Castlebaldwin

Ballinafad

Geevagh

Sooey

Drumfin

BallygawleyBallintogher

Drumcliffe

Cliffoney

Gurteen

ENNISCRONE

KILLALABAY

SLIGOBAY

BALLINA Bonniconlon

Foxford

Swinford

Ballaghaderreen

Dromahair

BOYLE

TUBBERCURRY

COLLOONEY

BALLYMOTERIVERSTOWN

BALLISODARE

GRANGE

MULLAGHMORE

STRANDHILL

ROSSES POINT

SLIGOKnocknarea

Knocknashee

Benbulben

Muckelty

N17

N59

N59 N59

N17

N4

N4

N15

N15

N15

N16

N17

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TOUR IST INFORMATIONTOUR IST INFORMATION

County Sligo

4.5km6.0km 2A1

7.0km1.5km 4C3

9.3km8.5km 5E4

3.7km4.6km 3B2

2.0km**0.5km* 4D4

5.2km7.5km 6F5

0.5km2.5km 7G6

1.5km2.0km 8H7* By track ** By Road

SLIGO

GALWAY

LIMERICK

CORK

WATERFORD

DUBLIN

BELFAST

Emergency Telephone Numbers:Sligo Garda Station: 071 9142031Sligo Fire Station: 071 9111403 (offi ce only)

999 (for emergencies)

Sligo General Hospital: 071 9171111

The route, which is signposted at all junctions and marked every kilometre, begins at the Train & Bus Station in Sligo City and loops around Lough Gill in a clockwise direction. It passes the outskirts of Sligo City via the N4 and N16 before joining the R286 at Bellanode. The route continues along the R286 in County Sligo and passes along the scenic Colga Lough before opening up into a stunning view of Lough Gill shortly before reaching the county boundary.

The route passes the historic Parkes Castle in County Leitrim and just over 2km past Park’s Castle the route blends into the R288. The route passes through Dromahair village and takes a right turn on the outskirts of the village onto the R287. The route continues along the R287 into County Sligo and joins up with the North West Trail at the junction to the Lake Isle of Innisfree Viewing Area.

The route passes Slish Wood and Dooney Rock, both marked Coillte Trails with views of Lough Gill, with the top of Dooney Rock offering a spectacular bird’s eye view of the lake. The route takes a right turn at Aghamore and passes another viewing area and Cairns Hill before continuing to Cleveragh where a right turn takes the route to Cleveragh Pontoon, an amenity area on the Garvogue River. An alternative route to Cleveragh Pontoon is via an off-road trail which is accessed via a right turn just over 1km past viewing point No. 7. Both routes to Cleveragh Pontoon pass Cleveragh Regional Park, which includes an off-road walking and cycling loop.’ Cyclists should note that there is a steep uphill climb from viewing point No. 7 for approximately 1.5km.

The route reaches Sligo City via Doorly Park, which offers looped cycling and walking amenities adjacent to the Garvogue River. The route is signposted the short distance back to the Train & Bus Station via Sligo City Centre. Note: Cyclists will have to dismount and walk at some locations in Sligo City as a one way system is in operation.

Sligo City

STAG

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Views of Lough Gill Signs along the route

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8 17654321 3.6km 2.7km2.5km2.3km9.9km8.5km4.0km6.5km