In a few days' time, when you're full of turkey and fed up with Christmas TV, get out and sample some of the best walks the country has to offer. Francis Bradleypresents his choice rambles
'TIS THE TIME of year when we indulge in food, drink, television, central heating, computer games and more. To shake off the fug of the week to come, prise the kids from the Xbox or Wii and head off for a walk. No matter if you live in the remotest corner of the country, there will be an established route suitable for families nearby. So shake off the cobwebs and go on one of our recommended outings. Some have appeared in Go; others are new suggestions.
If you visit irishtimes.com, you'll be able to follow links to the walks that have appeared in previous issues.
The east
Walks we've done in Go, with directions and maps at irishtimes.com, include the Spink, at Glendalough, (difficult), Bray Head (easy), Little Sugar Loaf (moderate) and Devil's Glen (easy), all of which are in Co Wicklow.
Others that you might like to try include the Portrane to Donabate or Howth Head coastal walks, in Co Dublin - bracing, safe and with the bonus of ending at hotels.
Donadea Forest Park, in Co Kildare, 50km from Dublin, has forest trails, a ruined castle (not for exploring), a simple cafe and parking, and it never seems to be crowded. Also, Santa is visiting Donadea every day until Christmas Eve (weekdays 2pm-5pm; weekends 11am-5pm). The best time is as the light is fading.
Avondale Forest Park, in Co Wicklow, an hour from Dublin, has six well-managed way-marked walks and trails. Unfortunately at this time of year, Avondale House and cafe are closed, but refreshments are available in nearby Rathdrum.
Another great ramble is around the lakes in Glendalough, Co Wicklow. Park besides the upper lake, leave the car park the way you entered and turn left. After a short distance, turn right into the forest. This track rises gently in an easterly direction and soon skirts the lower shoulder of Camaderry to bring you into Glendasan. The trail descends to the Glendasan river, where you follow the trail to the right. This ends very close to the Round Tower and churches. Pass through here, heading south, join up with another trail and turn right. This will lead you past the lower lake and on to the first car park.
The south
Walks we've done in Go, with directions and maps at irishtimes.com, include the Barrow Walk, in Co Carlow (easy), Passage East/Cheekpoint, in Co Wexford (easy), Slievenamon, in Co Tipperary (difficult) and Upperchurch, also in Co Tipperary (easy).
JFK Arboretum, in Co Wexford, is worth a visit. It has a picnic site, play area, maze, nature trail, signposted walks and parking. There is a small admission fee. Another gem is Gougane Barra Forest Park, in Co Cork, with several easy trails. Admission is free at this time of the year.
Also, there is a pleasant walk - the Bianconi loop - in the Glen of Aherlow, accessed from the large car park near the Christ the King statue on the R664 south of Tipperary town. You'll find a mapboard in the green area below the car park for directions.
The west
Walks we've done in Go, with directions and maps at irishtimes.com, include Kilrush, in Co Clare (easy), the Skelp, in Co Mayo (moderate) and Knocknarea, in Co Sligo (difficult).
In Westport, Co Mayo, you can go for a pleasant walk along the old railway line. For something more bracing, try Bertra Beach, off the Louisburgh road from Westport.
Another easy walk is Cong Nature Trail, beside the village of Cong, in Co Mayo. Access is through the grounds of Cong Abbey, opposite the gate lodge. Crossing the Cong River, turn left along the path. Farther on, turn right and follow the trail markers. At a finger sign, turn right and down into the cave site. Continuing along the trail, you reach a junction; turn left under a viaduct. Follow the track and turn right at an old house on your left, to bring you to Pigeon Hole cave. Farther on, the track takes you under a small viaduct and along the banks of the river back to Cong Abbey.
One jewel in the crown of forest parks is Lough Key Forest Park, in Co Roscommon. You'll find extensive amenities in the 325 hectares of parkland and forest - and it is rumoured that Santa will be making an appearance.
The north
Walks we've done in Go, with directions and maps at irishtimes.com, include Tollymore Forest Park, in Co Down (moderate), Slieve Foy, in Carlingford, Co Louth (difficult) and Errigal, in Co Donegal (difficult).
Errigal Glen Trail is a low-level circular waymarked trail about three kilometres west of Garvagh, in Co Derry. The trail starts and finishes at Errigal Bridge, at the entrance to Errigal Glen. The four-kilometre route should take an hour and half to complete.
Another location to put in your diary is An Creagán Visitor Centre, between Omagh and Cookstown, in Co Tyrone. A number of short well-marked trails start off from the centre (which will be closed on Christmas Day and St Stephen's Day.
For links to the walks we've done in Go, with maps and directions, see irishtimes.com/ travel/xmaswalks