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Waterfall loop

Glenbarrow Waterfall
  • Distance: 4.5 km / 1.5 hours
  • Services: Clonaslee (7km), Rosenallis (5km)
  • Trail Grade: Moderate
  • To suit: Medium levels of fitness
  • Terrain: Forest trails, riverside walk
  • Min. gear: Walking boots, fluid
  • Trail maintenance: hikeit@slievebloom.ie
  • Dogs allowed: No

Trail Directions

Start from the trailhead at Glenbarrow car park and follow the blue arrow onto a downhill track.

You are also on the Slieve Bloom Way (marked with yellow arrows). After 200m, reach the end of the downhill track and enter Glenbarrow Woods via wooden railings.

Continue along path up River Barrow on your right. After approximately 800m you will come to a large open area by the river. Where the stone floor of the valley is exposed and flat.

Follow the well-worn path upriver and reach the wonderful Glenbarrow Waterfall. Continue to follow the path upriver. After 600m, you reach a stream at a junction joining the River Barrow. Turn left here up some steep steps and follow the blue arrows to forestry road. After the uphill climb, you join a forestry road on its homeward journey. Turn left and follow the forestry road to a 3-way junction. Veer right here.

Proceed until you reach another forestry road on your right. Directly opposite it (on your left) is an entrance onto a downhill Bog Bridge into woodland. Continue along boardwalk. Follow the boardwalk downhill through natural woodland - exiting at a forestry road at a barrier. Take a right here and follow the road for 200m back to the trailhead at Glenbarrow car park.

Directions to Glenbarrow trailhead

Start from the village of Rosenallis on the R422 between Clonaslee and Mountmellick. On the sharp bend follow the signpost for Glenbarrow L2018. After 2km take a right turn at a junction. After 2.5km turn left at a crossroads. This takes you to Glenbarrow Car Park (N 367 081).

Situated close to the geographical centre of Ireland, the Slieve Bloom region links the counties of Laois and Offaly and is made up of forests, blanket bog of a type which is unique to Ireland, and hidden valleys which will be of interest to lovers of archaeology and nature. In 2007, a series of looped walks were developed at various trailheads in the region following a mix of forest tracks, riverbanks, old roadways, and grassy trails. There are a few rough and rugged sections - but they rarely rise to high altitude and do not demand great stamina. This loop is one of three which start and finish at the Glenbarrow trailhead - key features include a section of riverbank along the River Barrow, a spectacular 3-tiered waterfall, and natural woodland that in Spring is ablaze with bluebells.

Ownership & Management

The Glenbarrow Looped Walks pass through Coillte forestry and also partly through the Slieve Bloom Nature Reserve which is managed by The National Parks and Wildlife Service on behalf of the Departmernt of Arts, Heritage and The Gaeltacht.

Trail maintenance and development is ongoing.

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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