If you’re looking to get out and about with the kids, there’s nothing better than a day in the fresh air exploring. Laois offers plenty of countryside to choose from, so we’ve rounded up 14 unique places for great family walks in Laois that are perfect for a day out.
From village walks to mountains and woodlands, there are lots of options for family-friendly walks in Laois. Pack a picnic and get set for a great family adventure!
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Get Out and Explore These Walks in Laois
Emo Court Park and Gardens
Emo Court Park & Gardens is a favourite with young and old. The Park is the second largest park in Ireland after Dublin’s Phoenix Park.
Here you’ll find both short and longer walks. As there’s a tarmac path through parts of the park, it’s buggy-friendly, child-friendly and wheelchair accessible.
Children love to play in the garden area in front of the house and enjoy the walk down to the lake, where they can feed the ducks. In spring there are masses of snowdrops and daffodils to enjoy.
Entry to the Park is free and it’s open throughout the year during daylight hours.
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Carrick Wood, Portarlington
When travelling from Portarlington to Portlaoise (R419), after approx 2.5km turn left, and the car park is approx 2.5km down on the right-hand side.
This is a small site with a picnic area and forest walk, and features a prominent local landmark, the 18th century Spire. There’s a short walk up to the spire, and trees provide cover if the weather turns showery.
Keep an eye out for local wildlife, including foxes, rabbits and plenty of bird species.
Togher Woods, Portlaoise
Togher Woods is a firm favourite with Portlaoise locals. Although privately owned, it’s Coillte-managed and provides a great local resource.
You’ll find the Woods very close to the town, near the motorway junction on the Abbeyleix Road. Follow the signs for the Rugby Club and take the first turn after the club.
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Dunmore Wood, Durrow
Dunmore Wood in Durrow is a Coillte biodiversity area and is designated a National Heritage Area/Special Area of Conservation.
Two rivers, the Gully and the Nore, flow through the property. The cellars of the old house still remain, with steps leading from the old house down to the River Nore.
Along the river path you’ll see a well belonging to the house and the old estate gates, as well as rabbits, badgers, foxes, native birds and fallow deer.
Rock of Dunamase
Image: Rock of Dunamase © Fáilte Ireland
This is a historic site, and the views from the top make the climb well worth it.
Take in the lookout views once used by the O’Moores to defend their territory from marauding armies. The O’Moores were eventually defeated and ejected from the site by the ancestors of Stradbally Hall, home of Electric Picnic.
The site suits young children who are able to run and walk, and they’ll love checking out the views through the various parts of the ruin. Be warned – the kids will want to run up, and you might be slightly out of breath as a result!
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Slieve Bloom Mountains
Glenbarrow is the source of the River Barrow, the second longest river in Ireland, and is one of the most scenic parts of the Slieve Bloom area, with its waterfalls and steep valley.
The area has four way-marked trails, all starting at the car park and following the river for the first section. The trails may be too strenuous for little legs, but it’s possible to walk up to the waterfall and back to the car park, where there are picnic benches. The ground along the river can be wet and rough, so waterproof footwear is a good idea. Look out for hares, foxes, badgers, fallow deer and plenty of bird species.
Monicknew Bridge, through which the Glen River flows, is known locally as the Glen Bridge and is built in the style of a Roman arch. The bridge, built of sandstone in 1840, is dated on the keystone and stands an impressive 10m above the riverbed when viewed from below on the riverside walk. Fauna to watch for includes fallow deer, red and grey squirrel and foxes.
There’s a short loop from the car park down to the river bank, under the Glen Bridge and back up to the car park. There’s a lovely grassy area down at the river, a favourite with kids in summer for a picnic and a paddle.
The Cut is a few kilometres past Glen Monicknew and overlooks the valley of Glendineoregan, down into Clonaslee and across into County Offaly. It’s ideal for enjoying the view or having a picnic at the tables and benches provided. The car park on the Cut road also gives access to the adjoining forest of Glendineoregan. Watch out for wild goats, and masses of frogspawn in spring!
Oughaval Wood, Stradbally
Oughaval Wood contains a number of way-marked trails of varying length, so you can choose what works best for your child’s age and ability. There’s a mass rock on the shortest loop.
You’ll find the Woods about a kilometre past Stradbally on the Carlow Road, on your left going towards Carlow.
Oisín House and Park, Killeshin
Image: Views from Oisín Park © Carlow Tourism
Oisín Park is a volunteer-run facility that’s free to visit. In addition to walks where you can enjoy views across the Barrow Valley to the Blackstairs Mountains, there’s an enclosed children’s playground, a deck/viewing area, free parking and a picnic area.
Brittas Lake, Clonaslee
Brittas Lake is adjacent to the village of Clonaslee, at the foothills of the Slieve Bloom mountains. There’s a car park near the lake, so it’s easy to take children on a short walk around it, and picnic benches are provided.
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Short Walks in Laois
- The People’s Park, Timahoe Road, Portlaoise – perfect for toddlers, with a playground catering for 1–8 year olds.
- The River Triogue Park, Portlaoise – great for a short walk alongside the Togher river.
- The pond near Stradbally village, an angling centre with a short walk around the pond and picnic benches for a rest stop.
- Mountrath village – start at the bridge on the Limerick side and take a short stroll along the banks of the White Horse River.
- Capponellan Wood, just 1.5km south of Durrow, originally part of the Castle Durrow estate, found on the N8 Dublin to Cork Road.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are any of these walks suitable for buggies or toddlers?
Yes. Emo Court Park has tarmac paths through parts of the grounds, making it buggy- and wheelchair-friendly, and The People’s Park in Portlaoise has a playground designed for 1–8 year olds. The Rock of Dunamase also suits young children who can walk and run on their own.
Are these walks free to visit?
Many of the spots on this list, including Emo Court, Oisín Park and the various woodland and lake walks, are free to enter. Always check locally before you travel, as arrangements can change.
What should we bring for walks in the Slieve Bloom Mountains?
The ground around Glenbarrow and Monicknew Bridge can be wet and uneven, so waterproof footwear is a good idea. A picnic is well worth packing too, as there are benches at several of the Slieve Bloom stops.
Is there wildlife to look out for on these walks?
Yes, keep an eye out for foxes, rabbits, badgers, fallow deer, red and grey squirrels and a variety of bird species across the woodland and mountain walks featured here.
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Save This for Your Next Family Day Out
No printable this time, but it’s worth bookmarking or saving this page so you’ve got the full list of Laois walks handy whenever you’re planning a day out. Browse our other adventure ideas for more inspiration around the country.
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