Ballycastle
Ballycastle
Ballycastle - Baile an Chaisil - the town of the stone fortress lies on the beautiful rugged coast of North Mayo. Its northern boundary is exposed to the wild Atlantic Ocean, to the west is the lovely Stags of Broadhaven (600 million year old rocks), to the east lies Killala Bay, to the south are the towns of Crossmolina and Ballina.
Ballycastle (Sralagagh Loop Walk)
The Sralagagh Loop is a beautiful trail starting from Ballycastle. This trail is 9.5 km in distance and is suitable for both walking and mountain biking. The trail consists of country lanes and sturdy sandy paths.
Trail Details
Trail Name: Sralagagh Loop
Trailhead / Start Point: Ballycastle
Distance: 9.5 km
Terrain: Country Lanes, Sandy Tracks.
Level of Difficulty: Easy – Moderate
Minimum Gear: Walking Shoes & Rain Gear
Map Reference: Os Discovery Sheet 22 & 23
Western Way via Sheskin Forest
This is a mayor trail that will take you across some of the wildest and remotest forests in the west of Ireland. While it is possible to walk it in 8 – 10 hours, it may be wise to consider an overnight stop – camping enroute.
At a Glance
Location: North Mayo close to Bellacorrick
Trail Start Point: Grid Ref. G 080 369
Length: 25km
Metres Climb 50
Trail Finishing Point: Ballymonnelly Bridge (Grid Ref F939 216)
Trail Way Marking: Yellow
OS Discovery Series: Map No 23
From Crossmolina take the N59 to Bellacorrick. Take the road to Bangor and after 4km turn right at Ballymonnelly Bridge. Follow the bog road to the forest entrance.
Trail Description:
Sheskin Forest stretches from near Ballycastle south to Bellacorrick. This forest is a large area of conifer forest established on the boglands of north Mayo. The rolling hills in the northern section to Altderg Lough and the bogland in the southern section give the area its greatest asset – the expansive sky, which is constantly changing – this is Irelands Big Sky Country.
The large area of the forest has no habitation and, apart from some forest tracks and the
Western Way, is not easy to cross. This gives the forest a “wilderness” feel and offers real solitude to the visitor. The area has many small lakes and rivers draining north into Killala Bay and South into the Knockmoyle National Nature Reserve.
Those who travel across the forest on the Western Way will come across some interesting tress and features such as the monkey puzzle at Sheskin Lodge, a former hunting lodge, and many old walls of former homesteads that indicate the level of habitation of this area of north Mayo in previous times.
Walkers and hikers should ensure that they have the clothing and footwear for difficult terrain, be equipped with a map and compass and know how to use them and have snacks and drinks. Traversing this forest to Ballymonnelly bridge (Grid Ref F 939 216) is approximately a 25km trek in remote country and should not be undertaken lightly.