Family walks are one of the simplest ways to get outdoors with the kids, whether you’re after a short buggy-friendly stroll with a toddler or a longer adventure with older children. Roscommon has a brilliant mix of forest parks, lakeside trails and historic walking routes, so there’s something to suit every family. Bring a bag for collecting leaves, acorns or shells, keep an eye out for wildlife, or pack a picnic to enjoy along the way — here are some of the best places for great family walks in Roscommon.
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Family Walks in Roscommon
Lough Key Forest Park
Lough Key Forest Park is a fantastic family-friendly spot for a wander. The trails are buggy friendly, and there’s a restaurant and changing facilities on site too. Within the grounds of the old Rockingham estate you’ll find an adventure play kingdom, a tree canopy walk and the atmospheric old servants’ tunnels. It’s also home to Boda Borg, a Swedish-style challenge experience a bit like a real-life puzzle maze.
With around 8km of traffic-free trails, there are several walking trails at Lough Key graded to suit all abilities, so you can pick a route that matches your family’s energy levels on the day.
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Loughnaneane Park
Loughnaneane Park is a 14-acre recreational area just outside Roscommon town, bordered by the ruins of Roscommon Castle — a dramatic and imposing 13th-century Norman castle that’s well worth a look on its own.
The park includes a crannog known locally as the Hill o’ Bones, a wildflower meadow, a bird walk, a lake feature, grassy mounds to explore, a children’s playground and car parking, making it an easy option for a family outing that doesn’t need much planning.
Kilronan Castle
With more than 40 acres of beautiful landscape, the walks through Kilronan Forest lead from the castle down to the shore of Lough Meelagh. Expect lovely views over woodland and lakeside scenery throughout, making this a peaceful choice for a slower-paced family walk.
Lough Errit
These calm, easygoing walks follow the shores of Lough Errit and pass through local woodland and bog land, taking in the Lough Errit amenity area, which has a slipway, a bathing area, car parking and a boat house on its shores. A good choice if you want a quieter walk away from the crowds.
Castlerea Demesne
Image: Courtesy of Stephen Duffy © Fáilte Ireland/Tourism Ireland
This looped walk around Castlerea Demesne Parkland gives you a chance to spot woodland wildlife — and if you look carefully, keep an eye out for the little fairy village said to be home to Castlerea’s magical folk.
For families who want to stretch the legs a little further, there’s also the option to continue on to the woodlands at Clonalis House, once home to the High Kings of Ireland.
Boyle Historic Town Walk
This walk through historic Boyle begins at the 18th-century King House and takes in Boyle Abbey, along with other stops including Frybrook House and the Shambles. Boyle’s 12th-century bridge is one of the oldest in Ireland, making this a nice option if you want to combine a walk with a bit of local history for older kids.
Trails in Lecarrow
The name Rindoon (in Irish, rinn duin) means a fortified headland. The Rindoon Peninsula in County Roscommon extends into Lough Ree, roughly at the centre of Ireland.
There are two Rinn Duin trails in Lecarrow — 3km and 4.5km long — graded easy to suit all abilities. The loops are marked in blue and green and both start at St John’s House, so they’re a good pick if you want a manageable, well-signposted route.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which Roscommon walk is best for buggies or toddlers?
Lough Key Forest Park is the most buggy-friendly option on this list, with wide, traffic-free trails, changing facilities and a restaurant on site. Loughnaneane Park is another easy, flat option close to Roscommon town.
Are any of these walks suitable for a full day out?
Lough Key Forest Park and Kilronan Castle both offer enough to fill a longer visit, especially if you combine the walking trails with the play areas or the wider grounds. The others are better suited to shorter visits of an hour or two.
Do these walks suit all ages?
Yes — the trails at Lough Key and Lecarrow are graded to suit different ability levels, so families with younger children or those pushing buggies can choose an easier loop, while more energetic families can pick longer routes.
Is there somewhere to stop for food nearby?
Lough Key Forest Park has an on-site restaurant. For the other locations, it’s worth planning ahead or bringing a picnic, as facilities vary by site.
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- Fun Playgrounds in Roscommon to Visit
- Top 10 Things To Do in Roscommon with Kids
Save These Ideas for Later
Roscommon has plenty more family-friendly spots beyond this list — browse our full guide to outdoor places in Roscommon for more ideas, or bookmark this page so you’ve got a ready-made list of walks next time you’re planning a family day out.
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