If you’re looking to get out and about with the kids, there’s nothing better than a day in the fresh air exploring. Galway offers plenty of countryside to choose from, so we’ve rounded up 10 stunning places for great family walks in Galway that are perfect for a family day out.
Galway is a beautiful county with hidden gems and picturesque villages waiting to be discovered. It’s home to a huge range of woodland, coastal, city and lakeside walks, so there’s something to suit every family, from buggies to older kids ready for a proper hike.
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Family-Friendly Walks in Galway
Barna Woods
Park the car just off the main road and start your walk by following the path through the woods. When you come out of the woods, you can either head right towards the Cappagh Road playground, which has a great selection of equipment for different age groups, or continue straight on for a longer loop around the playing fields.
Rusheen City Park is also nearby, just across the road, if the kids have energy left to burn.
Monivea Woods
Take the Monivea road out of Galway, past Carnmore Cross, until you reach the village of Monivea. The entrance to the woods is at the end of the village.
Taking the road to the right brings you to the Ffrench family Mausoleum, an amazing castle-like structure. From there you can go left through the woods to see the old Ice House and loop back round to where you started.
If you take the path to the right of the mausoleum, you can do a longer walk back to Monivea, or continue straight on to an old windmill. All paths are safe for cycling too.
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Castle Hackett
The walk takes you through a deciduous forest covering a large hill. Park at the bottom of the hill and start your walk from the car park. The path leads in a large circle up and down the hill, with great views from the top across the whole of east Co. Galway.
The forest is well established, with plenty of large old trees and wild shrubbery. Look out for fallen trees and branches perfect for climbing, plus several picnic benches and tables if you fancy a break.
Terryland Forest Park
Terryland Forest Park was designed to blend recreational and educational facilities with the natural habitats of wetlands and woodland.
A good route starts on the Dyke Road near the Black Box. From there, continue along the banks of the River Corrib as far as Terryland Castle, taking in the natural scenery and wildlife of one of Ireland’s most important river corridors.
Galway City is unique among Irish cities in having such a large stretch of riverbank untouched by development. Keep an eye out for otters in the water near Jordan’s Island, kestrels hovering over the fields, and listen for reed warblers in the wetlands.
From the castle ruins, retrace your steps, go under the bridge and take the stairs up onto the Quincentennial Bridge road, entering Terryland Forest Park through the main gate. The circular path takes you past the Terryland River and through woods of native Irish trees that have become a magnet for wildlife, including pheasant, voles, hare, heron and plenty of mushrooms.
Coole Park
There are several walks at Coole Park, but the Family Walk is our favourite.
Start at the visitor centre and walk up past the deer enclosure on your left. Branch right towards the walled garden, past the Autograph Tree (don’t miss the sundial in the middle of the garden). The walk takes you out of the garden and into the forest, then loops around. At the “crossroads” on the path, you can take a right down to the river, go straight for a longer walk, or turn left to head back to the visitor centre.
Newcastle River Walk
Start your walk from the NUIG sports ground car park. Walk down towards the river, where you’ll see historic Menlo Castle across the water. Once you reach the river, turn right and walk along past the old tea house.
You can continue along the river for some time until you reach Corrib Village. If the village grounds are open, you can walk up through them and out onto the main road, looping back to where you started. For a longer walk, continue on to the NUIG campus, then double back.
There’s plenty of bird life and interesting trees and marsh plants along the way, including bulrushes in the summer months.
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Galway City River Walk
One of the most fascinating walks in Galway takes you on a tour of the city itself. Start at the Millennium Playground and walk across the bridge over the small canal (there are usually ducks here) to the back of the Cathedral, then cross the Salmon Weir Bridge.
Cross on the right-hand side and turn right at the end, then right again onto the walkway, which takes you down along the River Corrib on your right and a small canal on your left. You can walk all the way to the Spanish Arch and the city museum along this route, and on to the Claddagh and Salthill too (hop on a bus back if little legs get tired).
At the end of the walkway at William O’Brien Bridge, cross over Bridge Street to continue on a further walkway until you reach Wolfe Tone Bridge, with views over the Claddagh. Take a right here and then left to continue, with the river on your left, down to the Claddagh, where you’ll find the famous swans. There’s also a playground and toilets here if you fancy a break.
The whole route from the Cathedral to the Claddagh is easy for preschoolers and reasonably buggy-friendly, apart from the pavement along the Salmon Weir Bridge, which is narrow.
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Diamond Hill Trails at Connemara National Park
Spanning nearly 3,000 hectares of mountains, bogs, heaths and woodlands, Connemara National Park is a fantastic spot for hiking and walks in Galway. There are four designated trails, all starting at the visitor centre in Letterfrack.
Whether you have little ones who just need to run off some steam or more adventurous kids ready for a hike, there’s a trail to suit:
- Ellis Wood Nature Trail (0.5km)
- Sruffaunboy Walk (1.5km)
- Lower Diamond Hill Walk (3km)
- Upper Diamond Hill Walk (6.7km)
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Portumna Forest Park
Image © Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland
Portumna Forest Park covers more than 450 hectares and is a great source of natural inspiration for Galway families. There are four walking trails of varying distances to choose from, as well as cycling routes and orienteering courses.
Within the park stands an old abbey, now under the care of the Office of Public Works, dating back to the 15th century. Nearby, the castle, which has had considerable restoration work carried out by the OPW, dates back to the 17th century and was once the seat of the Earl of Clanrickarde.
Keep an eye open for wildlife along the way, including red squirrels, foxes, badgers and a large population of fallow deer. There’s also a bird hide, which offers great cover for spotting the white-tailed sea eagle and other birds.
Inishbofin Middlequarter Looped Walk
Inishbofin lies 10km off the coast of Galway and offers a truly unique option for family walks in Galway. There are three looped walks of varying difficulty, all with stunning views of the island’s scenery.
The 5km Middlequarter walk runs over Inishbofin’s second highest point, which on a clear day offers panoramic views of Achill Island’s mountains, Inishturk and Clare Island, the Twelve Bens, the Maumturks and Croagh Patrick. The track takes in the island’s historic and varied Iron Age and Bronze Age landscapes, with mill stones, partitions and evidence of round stone houses. The terrain is a mix of minor roads, bog roads and laneways, so it’s better suited to older children and confident walkers.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are these Galway family walks suitable for buggies?
Some are. The Galway City River Walk is reasonably buggy-friendly for most of its length, apart from the narrow pavement on the Salmon Weir Bridge. Woodland walks like Barna Woods and Monivea Woods have good paths, but surfaces can vary depending on weather, so it’s worth checking conditions on the day.
Which walk is best for very young children or a short outing?
Barna Woods and the Family Walk at Coole Park are both good choices for shorter legs, with clear paths and plenty to see without needing a long hike. The Ellis Wood Nature Trail at Connemara National Park, at just 0.5km, is another gentle option.
Which walk is best for older kids looking for more of a challenge?
The Upper Diamond Hill Walk at Connemara National Park (6.7km) and the Inishbofin Middlequarter Looped Walk both offer more distance and varied terrain, making them better suited to older children and confident walkers.
Can you cycle these routes as well as walk them?
Some can. The paths at Monivea Woods are noted as safe for cycling, and Portumna Forest Park has dedicated cycling routes alongside its walking trails.
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