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 unique places for great family walks in Laois that are perfect for a day out.
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From village walks to mountains and woodlands, there are plenty 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 in Ireland after Dublin’s Phoenix Park.
Here you’ll find short and longer walks. As there’s a tarmac path through parts of the park, it’s both child- and buggy-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 approximately 2.5km, turn left – the car park is about 2.5km down on the right-hand side.
This is a small site with a picnic area and forest walk, featuring a prominent local landmark, the 18th-century Spire. There’s a short walk up to the spire, and trees provide cover if the weather is showery.
Keep an eye out for local fauna, including foxes, rabbits and many different 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 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, 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, and there are steps 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 historic site rewards the climb with views that make the whole visit worthwhile.
Take in the lookout points 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, now home of Electric Picnic.
The site suits young children who are able to run and walk, and they’ll love exploring the different parts of the ruin and the views from each. Fair warning – the children will want to run up, and you might be slightly out of breath keeping up!
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Slieve Bloom Mountains
Glenbarrow is the source of the River Barrow, the second longest river in Ireland, and 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 many bird species.
Monicknew Bridge, through which the Glen River flows, is known locally as the Glen Bridge and built in the style of a Roman arch. Built of sandstone in 1840, it’s dated on the keystone, and the arch is quite impressive viewed from below on the riverside walk, standing 10m high from the river bed. Watch for fallow deer, red and grey squirrels and foxes.
There’s a short loop from the car park down to the river bank, under the Glen Bridge and back up. There’s a nice grassy area at the river, a favourite spot for a summer picnic and paddle.
The Cut is a few kilometres past Glen Monicknew and overlooks the valley of Glendineoregan down into Clonaslee and over into County Offaly. It’s ideal for enjoying the view or 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.
Oisin House and Park, Killeshin
Image: Views from Oisin Park © Carlow Tourism
Oisin Park is a volunteer-run facility, free to visit, with walks offering views across the Barrow Valley to the Blackstairs Mountains. There’s also 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, with picnic benches 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 – a great short walk beside 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.
- The White Horse River walk, Mountrath – start at the bridge on the Limerick side of the village and stroll along the riverbank.
- Capponellan Wood, Durrow – 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
What is the best walk in Laois for toddlers and young children?
Emo Court Park & Gardens is a great pick for younger children, thanks to its tarmac paths, garden play area and gentle walk down to the lake to feed the ducks.
Are any of these walks free to visit?
Yes – Emo Court Park & Gardens and Oisin Park in Killeshin are both free to visit, along with most of the short walks listed, such as the People’s Park and the River Triogue Park in Portlaoise.
Which walk in Laois has the best views?
The Rock of Dunamase offers sweeping countryside views from its historic ruins, while Oisin Park’s viewing deck looks out across the Barrow Valley to the Blackstairs Mountains.
Do I need special footwear for any of these walks?
Some trails, particularly around Glenbarrow in the Slieve Bloom Mountains, can be wet and uneven underfoot, so waterproof footwear is a good idea.
Are any of these walks buggy or wheelchair accessible?
Emo Court Park & Gardens has tarmac paths through parts of the grounds, making it both buggy-friendly and wheelchair accessible.
More Family Days Out
Loved this list? You might also like our guides to fun and free things to do in Laois, playgrounds across the county, and things to do with preschoolers in Laois – all linked throughout this article for your next family outing.
Save this list of family walks in Laois for your next free day, or browse more outdoor adventures for kids around Ireland on MyKidsTime.
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