Take some time to discover the scenery in the thoroughbred county. These family walks in Kildare include mazes, rivers, forests and horses!
Getting out for a family walk is the perfect way to spend an afternoon together for fresh air, experiencing nature, having fun and a chance to create special family memories. Remember to pack the rain gear, wellies, camera and sun-cream – it is Ireland after all!
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Family Walks in Kildare
Irish National Stud
Image © Tourism Ireland
Why not combine a lovely walk with a great family day out, and take a trip to the Irish National Stud Visitor attraction, open from mid Feb to Christmas.
There are extensive walks around the stud to see the horses in the paddocks and stables. Pick up a fairy trail brochure when you arrive and enjoy spotting fairies around St Fiachras Garden lakeside walk. The famous Japanese gardens are also really fun for kids walking around with bridges and pathways to explore.
There’s a lovely cafe or pack a picnic to enjoy at the picnic benches in carpark.
Then head to the fun kids playground to run off some more steam!
The Curragh
The Curragh is an extensive tract of grassland and perfect for walks, cycling, and kite flying. Watch the horses training on the Curragh racecourse, or check out some of the historical sites such as Donnelly’s Hollow.
Tip: Wear wellies or old shoes as sheep roam freely and lots of droppings!
The Kildare Maze
For a fun-packed walk, why not try the The Kildare Maze Family Activity Park, Prosperous. It was grown to mark the millennium and is in shape of St Bridget’s Cross.
There are 1.5 miles of paths with hedges over 6ft high! Other activities include: crazy golf, sandpit, pets corner with donkeys, goats, hens, rabbits, etc.
The shop and a large picnic area make a great base for those too tired to explore! Open weekends in May and September, and daily for June, July and August. Admission prices apply.
Donadea Forest
Donadea Forest is a Coillte mixed woodland walk, around a lake. Historical features include the remains of castle and walled garden. A small cafe is open all year, or pack a picnic to enjoy near the lake. €4 charge for car-park, and exact change required.
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Mullaghreelan Wood
Mullaghreelan Wood in Kilkea is a picturesque old woodland estate with an extensive network of forest roads and trails which can cater for both the casual stroll or the nature walk. The wood adjoins Kilkea Castle. Some of the walks are quite steep and not all the tracks are gravelled.
Moore Abbey
Moore Abbey, Monasterevin is a woodland walk which is especially noted for its display of bluebells in late April/May. The famous Irish tenor John McCormac leased Moore Abbey for 13 years and a fine view of the building can be had from the wood. There’s car parking for 15 cars and picnic benches throughout.
Pollardstown Fen Nature Reserve
Situated approximately 2km from Newbridge, Pollardstown Fen is the largest remaining spring-fed fen in Ireland and is a very important site nationally and internationally. It is a post-glacial fen which began to develop approximately 10,000 years ago when the area was covered by a large lake.
The fen is largely composed of reedbeds freshwater pools patches of scrubland and a large woodland area which lies at the western end of the reserve. There are many rare plant species in the area, in addition to many resident bird species and also winter and summer migrants.
The Bog of Allen
Ireland’s most famous peatland, The Bog of Allen is one of the top tourist attractions in Kildare. Visitors can enjoy seeing a living raised bog habitat, as well as biodiversity gardens, the peatland museum, scavenger and nature hunts, and a variety of activities to explore.
The Grand Canal
The Grand Canal runs for more than 80 miles from Dublin to the Shannon, with several extensive routes through Kildare. The routes typically take in some of the smaller towns and villages in the county, making it easy to choose a route that suits.
- Hazelhatch to Sallins (13km)
- Sallins to Robertstown (11km)
- Robertstown to Edenderry (21km)
- Naas Branch: Sallins to Leinster Aquaduct (5.5km)
- Corbally Branch (7.25km)
- The Milltown Feeder (8km)
Castletown House & Parklands
Castletown House & Parklands in Celbridge has lovely walks from the house down to the river. Combine a walk with some lunch in the lovely café.
Liffey Walk, Clane
The Liffey Walk is a winding paved path alongside the River Liffey, with plenty of wildlife and birds to spot along the way, including otter, mink, Grey Heron, Kingfisher, finches and even buzzards.
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About the Author: Emily Manning
