Walking festival has something for all 

WHETHER you’re a seasoned rambler or just like to stretch your legs and enjoy the view, then the organisers of the annual Carlow Autumn Walking Festival had your varied abilities in mind when they planned the 2024 programme for this very popular event.

The 2024 festival takes place from Friday to Sunday 4-6 October, just before the clocks turn back and there is still extended light in the evenings.

The ambitious programme includes more than 15 walks, ranked A, B and C in order of difficulty and duration. All routes have been designed to cater for those who love a leisurely walk, taking in and learning more about nature and their general surroundings, the walker with a thirst for history, those energised by the challenge of an invigoration mountain trek, the novice hillwalker, photographic enthusiasts, and those who like the stillness of mindfulness.

The walks are graded and timed to suit the capabilities of each category. All walks end with light refreshments, giving participants the opportunity to share their experiences.

All A and B walks are led by knowledgeable local guides from Tullow Mountaineering Club and Blackstairs Ramblers and are of varying duration, from 90 minutes to seven hours, while C walks are led by local walking enthusiasts.

By the end of the weekend, visitors will become familiar with the Scullogue Gap, Tomduff Hill, Slievebawn, Black Rock Mountain, Kilbrannish Forest, Rathanna village, Drummond, Knockmulgurry and the heritage and scenery of the Blackstairs Mountains and the Barrow Way.

Launching the event, Carlow Tourism chairman Michael Walsh said: “The festival gets underway at 6.30pm on Friday 4 October with the extremely popular night hike, which we are delighted to include again this year. We hope the variety we have included has something for everyone, be it the walk with well-known biologist and RTÉ personality Éanna Ní Lamhna on Saturday 5 October, or a series of themed walks, which are designed to pique the interest of those interested in the outdoors. Éanna will introduce walkers to some of the amazing habitats of the Blackstairs. From conifer plantations to upland bog, hedgerow and scrub, each a distinct wildlife habitat along with the birdlife that thrive here including chaffinches, ravens, robins and goldfinches - each with their distinct calls and songs," said Michael.

“The photographic walk, also on the Saturday, which takes place in the Kilbrannish Forest North Recreation Area, will enable avid photographers to capture stunning pictures of the outdoors. This informative walk will introduce walkers to the basic principles of photography in the wild.

“We invite those participating in this walk to bring their camera or mobile phone and enjoy the wonderful views northwards over the plains of Carlow, along this well-surfaced forest path,” he said.

“The ever-popular mindfulness meditation walk in Clogrennan Forest near Carlow town, led by mindfulness expert Jack Byrne, returns again. Through providing down-to-earth and practical tips on how to reconnect for improved mental and physical health and psychological wellbeing, and sharing his mindfulness techniques, Jack will send visitors home with a different perspective and some valuable tools to deal with daily challenges.

“By introducing our county to walkers, we hope we are playing our part in encouraging more people to enjoy the splendour of the great outdoors while reaping the health benefits associated with walking. The festival is a great endorsement for the quality and range of walks on offer,” added Michael.

The walking festival concludes on Sunday evening, but not before visitors get the chance to enjoy a variety of other walks from ‘Improving your hill skills – getting the most from your walking trips’ to a history and heritage walk of the Blackstairs Mountains, a walk along the Barrow Way from Milford to Carlow town and many more.

Further information on the walks, starting points and rules of participation, a helpful video showing some of the stunning scenery and routes to be enjoyed over the weekend and booking options can be found on www.carlowtourism.com/walkingfestival, or phone 059 9130411. Details of special accommodation packages are available at www.carlowtourism.com/specialoffers