If you’re looking to get out and about with the kids, there’s nothing better than a day in fresh air exploring. Laois offers plenty of countryside to choose from, so we’ve rounded up some of the best places for great family walks in Laois — perfect for a day out with the kids.
From village walks to mountains and woodlands, there are plenty of family-friendly options to enjoy. 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 is a tarmac path through parts of the park, it is 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 approximately 2.5km turn left, and the car park is about 2.5km further 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 turns showery.
Keep an eye out for local fauna, 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 is 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 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, now home to Electric Picnic.
The site suits young children who can run and walk, and they’ll love exploring the various parts of the ruin. Fair warning — the kids will want to run straight up, and 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 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. Some 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 impressive when viewed from below on the riverside walk, standing 10m high above 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 again. There’s a nice grassy area down by the river, popular with families 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 over into County Offaly. It’s ideal for enjoying the view or having a picnic at the tables and benches provided. The car park at the Cut 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 suits your child’s age and ability best. 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.
Oisín House and Park, Killeshin
Image: Views from Oisín Park © Carlow Tourism
Oisín Park is a volunteer-run facility, free to visit and open from 9am to 10pm daily. Alongside walks with views across the Barrow Valley to the Blackstairs Mountains, you’ll find an enclosed children’s playground, a deck/viewing area, free parking and a picnic area.
Brittas Lake, Clonaslee
Brittas Lake sits beside the village of Clonaslee, at the foothills of the Slieve Bloom mountains. There’s a car park near the lake, making it easy to take children on a short walk around the water, 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 — great for a 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 — start at the bridge on the Limerick side of Mountrath village and take a short stroll along the riverbank.
- 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
Which Laois walk is best for toddlers or buggies?
Emo Court Park & Gardens has tarmac paths that are buggy- and wheelchair-friendly, plus a duck-feeding lake children love. The People’s Park in Portlaoise also has a playground designed for 1–8 year olds, making it a great toddler-friendly stop.
Are any of these walks free to visit?
Yes — Emo Court Park & Gardens and Oisín Park are both free to visit and open daily during daylight hours. Most of the woodland and lake walks listed here, such as Brittas Lake and Togher Woods, are also free to access.
What should we bring for a walk in the Slieve Bloom Mountains?
Waterproof footwear is a good idea, as the ground along the river paths at Glenbarrow can be wet and rough. A picnic is also worthwhile, as several of the Slieve Bloom spots have picnic tables and benches.
Are these walks good for spotting wildlife?
Yes — depending on where you go, keep an eye out for foxes, rabbits, hares, badgers, fallow deer, squirrels and a variety of birdlife along the way.
Where can I find a short walk suitable for young children?
The “Short Walks in Laois” list above is a good place to start, covering easy, low-effort options like the People’s Park, the River Triogue Park, and the pond walk near Stradbally.
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