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Giant’s Grave Loop

Giant's grave loop
  • Distance: 11km / 2 hours 30 mins
  • Services: Clonaslee (10km), Kinnitty (5km)
  • Trail Grade: Strenuous
  • To suit: Good levels of fitness
  • Terrain: Forestry tracks, old laneways and riverbank paths
  • Min. gear: Walking boots, fluids, snacks
  • Trail maintenance: hikeit@slievebloom.ie

Trail Directions

Starting from Cadamstown trailhead, follow the red arrows along the tarred road for 1km to reach an old laneway. Turn right on to Paul’s Lane. Follow this wonderful old laneway uphill for almost 1km. At the top of Paul’s Lane keep straight and you will reach a stile to open farmland. Follow the red arrows by the trees and cross the farmland and turn left on the avenue leaving the Slieve Bloom Way. When you reach a tar road turn right. Follow the signs for 1K to the Giant’s Grave. Shortly after passing the Giant’s Grave, the woodland path joins forestry track. Turn right, continue for 300m, turn right when you reach a 4-way junction (the SB Way goes left here). After 100m you reach a T-junction and turn left – follow the forestry track uphill to a clearing with superb views through the two kissing gates. You are now at Spink Mountain.

Follow the track downhill to a 3-way junction and veer right. You have joined the Eco Walk green loop and the SB Way, which overlap with the red loop on your return to Cadamstown.

Follow the forestry road for 500m where it turns left into the forestry. Follow the red, green and yellow arrows through the newly planted forest to exit at a small stream, Purcell’s Brook. Cross Purcell’s Brook and turn left onto an old laneway – you have joined the blue loop on its return to Cadamstown. Follow the laneway downhill to reach the beautiful Silver River weir. Cross a small stile and follow the red arrows back to the carpark.

Woodland walks

Directions to Cadamstown trailhead

In the village of Cadamstown (on the R421 between Clonaslee and Kinnitty), the carpark is located beside Dempsey’s public house. Grid Ref. N 227 085.

Cadamstown is situated at the foothills of the Slieve Bloom Mountains, on the banks of the Silver River in County Offaly. The town was at one time home to Charles O’Carroll whose Grandson was a signatory of the Declaration of American Independence in 1776.

Ownership & Management

These wonderful looped walks at Cadamstown have come about as a result of close cooperation between the local community, private landowners and Coillte. Access through the farmland and woodland sections is based on permissive access granted by local landowners who have generously agreed to open up their land. The majority of the forestry sections are owned by Coillte (statutory foresty agency) who have also agreed to permit the walks alongside their commercial operations. The walks here are maintained to a high standard thanks to the work of the local landowners and also the local Rural Social Scheme (RSS) led by George Digan of Offaly Partnership.

Both loops are formally recognised as registered trails by the National Trails Office.

Note that dogs are not allowed on these walks.

Walking Events

The Slieve Bloom Walking Club organise walks every weekend of the year. All of these walks are led by an experienced and friendly walk leader who is very familiar with the mountains. These walks are post to the Walking calendar weekly.

A panel of guides are also available if you are are looking for a personal leader who can tailor-make a walk to suit your party or group.

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