As the weather turns cooler and autumn takes hold, there’s nowhere better to spend a family day out than under a canopy of golden leaves. We asked our readers to share their favourite autumn walks for families in Ireland, and the results are a brilliant mix of forest parks, lakeside trails and coastal loops from every corner of the country.
Whether your crew loves racing through fallen leaves, collecting conkers, climbing trees or just getting some fresh air after a week indoors, these are the walks that keep coming up again and again as family favourites.
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In this guide:
- Lough Key Forest Park, Roscommon
- Hazelwood Demesne, Sligo
- Coole Park, Galway
- The Flaggy Shore, Clare
- Killarney National Park, Kerry
- Johnstown Castle Estate, Wexford
- Bushy Park, Dublin
- Ardgillan Castle and Demesne, Dublin
- Tollymore Forest Park, Northern Ireland
Best Autumn Walks in Ireland
Lough Key Forest Park, Roscommon
Lough Key Forest Park is a firm favourite, with its lake and acres of grounds to explore. It’s an ideal spot for a family walk thanks to established walking and cycle routes and trails, each marked with a difficulty level and an estimated completion time.
With no traffic to worry about, it’s a safe place to let the kids run ahead and explore the trees and plants along the way. There are toilets and a cafe on-site too, perfect for warming up with a hot drink afterwards.
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Hazelwood Demesne, Sligo
Image: Hazelwood National Forest, Co Sligo. Courtesy of Alison Crummy © Fáilte Ireland
Hazelwood Demesne offers picturesque, family-friendly walks around the shores of Lough Gill in Sligo. Several trails run through the estate, including the Sculpture Tour, where wooden sculptures by Irish and international artists line the track.
In autumn, the children will love kicking their way through the fallen leaves, while you can enjoy the ever-changing reflection of trees and clouds in the water. See if you and the kids can spot how many islands are dotted across the lough.
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Coole Park, Galway
Photo courtesy of Trevor Dubber
Home to the Autograph Tree, a beautiful walled garden and the remains of Coole House, the ancestral home of Lady Gregory, Coole Park and the Garryland Nature Reserve are lovely to visit year-round — but autumn, when the leaves fall and the lake refills, is especially beautiful. There are seven woods to explore, each with a designated walkway and marked distance.
The woods are traffic-free, so children can roam freely, and there are public toilets near the visitor centre. When the visitor centre is open, a free tour gives a brief history of Coole Park and Lady Gregory’s family, along with a museum of artefacts and nature exhibits. Look out for the deer in the enclosure near the visitor centre, and you may spot some of the swans immortalised in Yeats’s poetry on the Turlough.
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The Flaggy Shore, Clare
For a coastal family walk, head to New Quay, just off the N67 Kinvara/Ballyvaughan road in the beautiful Burren. This stunning walk feels like stepping back in time, with the wild Atlantic on one side and the limestone rocks of the Burren on the other.
The loop walk runs from New Quay to Finavarra Point and suits the whole family — you can walk along the beach or take the quieter road. Be sure to visit the well-preserved Martello tower at Finavarra Point, and keep an eye out among the rocks for fossils.
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Killarney National Park, Kerry
With Torc Waterfall, Muckross Gardens, lakes galore and the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks, Ireland’s highest mountain range, there’s no shortage of choice for a family walk in Killarney National Park.
One favourite is the walk from Muckross House to Torc Waterfall, combining paved and clay pathways over roughly 4km, signposted off the main Muckross Lake Loop walk. Keep an eye out for the deer and squirrels that roam freely through the park.
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Johnstown Castle Estate, Wexford
Mum Carmel recommended Johnstown Castle Estate as one of her family’s favourite walks. The estate gardens were designed by Daniel Robertson, who also designed the gardens at Powerscourt Estate in neighbouring Wicklow, and offer everything from a stroll around the Victorian walled garden to longer walks around the lake and through the surrounding trees.
Access to the castle building and grounds, and admission to the Irish Agricultural Museum on site, can vary depending on the season, so it’s worth checking the estate’s own website before you set off. Carmel says her children love spotting the peacocks that wander the grounds and the swans and ducks living on the lake.
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Bushy Park, Dublin
Bushy Park in Terenure, south Dublin, was a popular choice when we asked parents to recommend the best family walks in Ireland. It sits alongside the Dodder River and covers over 20 hectares, with tennis, boules, play areas and a purpose-built skatepark for skateboarders, BMX riders and skaters.
What makes it a great autumn walk is the Native Tree Trail, with more than 15 native tree signposts dotted throughout the park. You can download a booklet and follow the trail to find them all.
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Ardgillan Castle and Demesne, Dublin
Ardgillan Castle and Demesne in north County Dublin really does have it all — an amazing adventure playground, acres of woodland, a castle, several gardens including a rose garden, wildlife, a fairy trail and sweeping views over the Irish Sea.
It’s a perfect spot for an autumn walk, with plenty to keep kids of all ages entertained, and it’s worth checking for family events and classes running throughout the season.
Tollymore Forest Park, Northern Ireland
Image © Tourism Northern Ireland
Mum Lisa wrote in to tell us about Tollymore Forest Park near Newcastle. It sits at the base of the Mourne Mountains and has no fewer than 16 bridges crossing the River Shimna, which flows through the park. There are four designated walking trails, ranging from a short 1km loop to a longer 8km route, all clearly marked and starting and ending at the car park.
There’s plenty to explore, including follies, gothic gates, Clanbrassil Barn, the King’s Grave, the White Fort, wild deer, squirrels, ducks and other birds. Lisa recommends visiting the arboretum, reputed to be one of the oldest in Ireland.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best time of year to enjoy these autumn walks?
Most families find late September through November the sweet spot, when the leaves are turning but the ground isn’t too wet or muddy underfoot.
Are these walks suitable for buggies or younger children?
Many of the trails, such as those at Lough Key, Coole Park and Hazelwood Demesne, have well-maintained paths suitable for buggies, though some sections may be uneven. It’s worth checking each location’s own trail information for accessibility details before you travel.
Do the walks have toilets and places to eat nearby?
Several, including Lough Key Forest Park and Coole Park, have on-site toilets and a cafe. Facilities vary by location, so it’s a good idea to check ahead, especially outside peak season.
Is there parking at these locations, and is there a charge?
Parking is available at all of the locations listed. Charges and opening arrangements can change, so we’d recommend checking the relevant park or estate’s official website or visitor centre before you set off.
Which walk is best for a shorter outing with young children?
Bushy Park’s Native Tree Trail and the shorter loops at Tollymore Forest Park are both good options if you’re looking for something under an hour.
Related Articles
If you enjoyed this round-up, you might also like:
- Don’t Miss These Places to See Amazing Autumn Leaves in Ireland
- 7 Places for Great Family Walks in Roscommon
- 9 Stunningly Scenic Places for Family Walks in Sligo
- 10 Stunning Places for Great Family Walks in Galway
- 20 Fun Things to Do with Kids on the Wild Atlantic Way
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