Bocadh Lodge Walk
- Monicknew Forest Recreation Area, Monicknew, Co. Laois
- Download Map (PDF)
- Listed in Loop Walks, Monicknew
- Distance: 6.9km / 2.5 hrs
- Services: Clonsalee (12km), Mountrath (11km)
- Trail Grade: Moderate
- To suit: Higher than average level of fitness
- Terrain: Forestry roads, forest trails
- Min. gear: Walking boots, fluids, snacks, hiking clothing, mobile phone
- Trail maintenance: enquiries@slievebloom.ie
Trail Directions
- Exit the Carpark turning left. Follow the red arrows crossing Glen River Bridge. Turn left when you cross the bridge into forest road. Climb steadily to head of valley. At the point where you join the Slieve Bloom Way, turn right and continue east for approximately 1.5km to next junction.
- Turn right and follow forest road to its end, cross the stile and walk downhill on a grassy path to join the old lane adjacent to the ruins of Bocadh Lodge. Turn right on lane. This leads down to tar road. Turn right and walk along tar road back to car park.
- This is the longest of the trails that starts out from Monicknew trailhead. This trail crosses both dark forest and open unplanted lands, giving good views to the boglands and forests below. The trail mostly follows forest road and crosses some farm tracks also.
- Please ensure that any stiles that are crossed or gates that you go through are left as you found them.
Directions to Monicknew trailhead
Monicknew is about 11.5 km south of Clonaslee on the road to Mountrath via the Cut road. Coordinates: 53.0702 -7.5432.
At 7km, the Bocadh Lodge Walk is the longest of the three trails that starts out from Monicknew trailhead. This trail crosses both dark forest and open unplanted lands, giving good views to the boglands and forests below. The trail mostly follows forest road and crosses some farm tracks also. Please ensure that any stiles that are crossed or gates that you go through are left as you found them. The ruins of Bocadh lodge are passed along the trail leading back to the car-park.