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 parkland and woodland to mountains and riverside trails, there’s a family-friendly walk here for every age and energy level. 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 both short and longer walks. As there’s a tarmac path through parts of the park, it’s buggy-friendly and wheelchair accessible as well as being great for little legs.
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, and the car park is a further 2.5km down on the right-hand side.
This is a small site with a picnic area and forest walk, and it features a well-known local landmark, the 18th-century Spire. There’s a short walk up to the spire, and the trees give some cover if the weather turns showery.
Keep an eye out for local wildlife, including foxes, rabbits and a variety 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 down from the old house to the River Nore.
Along the river path you’ll spot 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
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 — though 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 can run and walk, and they’ll love exploring the views through the various parts of the ruin. Fair warning: the kids will want to run ahead, so you might find yourself 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 it’s 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 full 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 birdlife.
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. Made of sandstone in 1840, it’s dated on the keystone. The arch is quite a sight when viewed from below on the riverside walk, standing 10m high from the riverbed. Watch out for fallow deer, red and grey squirrels and foxes.
There’s a short loop from the car park down to the riverbank, under the Glen Bridge and back up again. There’s a lovely grassy area down by 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 across into County Offaly. It’s an ideal spot for taking in 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. Keep an eye out for wild goats and, in spring, masses of frogspawn!
Oughaval Wood, Stradbally
Oughaval Wood has a number of way-marked trails of varying length, so you can choose what suits 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 heading towards Carlow.
Oisin House and Park, Killeshin
Oisin Park is a volunteer-run facility that’s free to visit. In addition to walks with 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 the children on a short walk around it, and picnic benches are provided.
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Short Walks in Laois
If you’re short on time or have very young children, these quick, easy walks are worth knowing about:
- The People’s Park, Timahoe Road, Portlaoise — perfect for toddlers, with a playground catering for ages 1–8.
- The River Triogue Park, Portlaoise — a great short walk beside the Togher river.
- The pond near Stradbally village — a short walk around the angling pond, with picnic benches for a rest stop.
- The White Horse River walk, Mountrath — start at the bridge on the Limerick side of the village and take a short stroll along the riverbank.
- Capponellan Wood, just 1.5km south of Durrow on the N8 Dublin to Cork road — originally part of the Castle Durrow estate.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are any of these Laois walks suitable for buggies or wheelchairs?
Yes — Emo Court Park & Gardens has tarmac paths through parts of the grounds, making it buggy-friendly and wheelchair accessible. It’s a good first choice if you’re walking with very young children.
Are these walks free to visit?
Based on the details in this guide, Emo Court, Oisin Park, Brittas Lake and the short village walks are all free to enjoy. It’s worth checking current access details directly before you travel, as arrangements at outdoor sites can change.
Which walk is best for a family picnic?
Several spots here have picnic benches, including Emo Court, Carrick Wood, Monicknew Bridge, The Cut, Oughaval Wood, Oisin Park and Brittas Lake — so you’ve plenty of choice depending on which part of the county you’re in.
Are these walks good for spotting wildlife?
Yes — keep an eye out for foxes, rabbits, badgers, fallow deer, red and grey squirrels and a wide range of birdlife across the woodland and mountain walks in this guide, particularly at Carrick Wood, Dunmore Wood and around the Slieve Bloom Mountains.
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Save This For Your Next Family Day Out
Bookmark this guide or save it to your phone before you head off, so you’ve the directions and details to hand when you’re out and about in Laois with the kids.
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