Treks & Trails

Looking for something fun to do as we head into the summer months? Why not enjoy the scenic landmarks of Athlone as well as its beautiful history with Athlone Guided Tours. Taking place on Thursdays and Saturdays at 11.30am, Athlone Guided Tours are an eco-friendly, Covid compliant walking tour suitable for visitors and locals alike

Just 10 minutes from Athlone in Moate, you find Dún na Sí Amenity & Heritage Park, a wonderful get away that’s full of natural beauty. With a series of paths, a wetland reserve, parklands and a children’s playground, it’s a fabulous place to get out for a stroll. You’ll see lots of birdlife, native trees and planting. There’s also a tourlough that’s bursting with life.

All year round the new Athlone to Mullingar Greenway is the perfect way to get out with the kids and enjoy the fresh air. Bring your own bikes or hire them where the trail begins in Garrycastle. The route follows the old railway line for over 40kms all the way to Mullingar and because it’s for bikes and pedestrians only, it couldn’t be safer. Plus there are no hills so it’s easy on little legs too. There are entry and exit points every few kilometres so there are plenty of places to stop and explore along the way. The whole family will love Dún na Sí Amenity & Heritage Park just outside Moate. With beautiful grounds, stone ring forts, fantastic sculptures, a brilliant playground and a fab café for mum and dad, it’s sure to be a hit. After that, there are old station platforms, towering bridges, beautiful countryside and even an deep rail tunnel. Whether you choose to just do a small section or to use Athlone as your base and do it all over a few days, the Old Rail Trail is a cycling route where you can let go and really enjoy.

This nature trail walk starts at the rear of Athlone Castle and is approximately 5kms long. It is a looped bi-directional walk which takes you along the banks of the River Shannon and the old Athlone Canal. There are four information boards along the trail detailing flora, fauna, wildlife and fish that are along the walk.

This is a wonderful walk that explores the wooded glades and farmlands of Portlick and the Whinning peninsula of Lough Ree. The trail is ca 5 km with shorter alternatives. Enjoy native trees and attractive and varied views of Lough Ree and an old ruin features near south-west limit of the walk.

Situated on Rinn Duin Peninsula on Lough Ree’s shores this loop features 'Rindoon' the best-preserved deserted Norman town in Ireland, including a town wall with towers and gatehouse, windmill, Norman parish church and hospital. It follows woodland tracks through Rinn Duin Wood around Warren Point with lovely lakeshore scenery.

This is a place for where you’ll want to pack a picnic and spend the day. Whether you enjoy walking, cycling, angling or bird watching, Lough Boora Parklands has something for you. Featuring walking and biking trails that stretch from 3km to 16km, you enjoy an abundance of wild flowers and wild life along the way.

On the western shores of Lough Ree you’ll discover an unexpected historical gem. On St. John’s Point peninsula lies the abandoned medieval town of Rindoon. With its town wall, castle, medieval hospital, church and mill there is nothing that compares to it anywhere in Ireland or the UK. Built in the first half of the 13th century and abandoned a few hundred years later, the site has remained largely untouched.

Before dinner, with the sun on your back and water lapping at your side, take a stroll along the Shannon Banks Walk. It begins in the shadow of Athlone Castle and leads you along a nature trail that’s bursting with a diversity of wildlife. Stretching along a five-kilometre loop, you’ll pass lawns, grassy verges and parklands. You’ll walk under Sycamore, Norway Maple, Red Oak and proud Horse Chestnut trees.