Oughterard Walks
Oughterard and the surrounding area is renown for its natural beauty. There are so many ways to enjoy the scenery- perhaps walking is the best!
Join our local walking club on Sundays to experience different walks each week- they welcome any visitors who would like to go along. Our most detailed guide for a village walk, please see our Heritage Trail (free detailed guide available for download courtesy of the Oughterard Culure & Heritage Group). For a country walk taking in the Connemara Mountain views and famous Quiet Man Bridge, try the Leam Walk (free detailed guide available for download courtesy of the Oughterard Culure & Heritage Group). Also see other walks below.
The Heritage Trail *best way to see Village*
The Leam Walk *best way to see countryside*
The Oughterard Walking Club Walks
The Owenriff Way Walk
This walk does well to show you the town as well as the lovely Owenriff River passing through it. The main square is a good place to start.
Walk down Main Street and when reaching the Catholic Church, turn right over the little bridge over the river. Follow around right, along the river, until you see a gate with a path diverting from the road. This path will take you along the river until it comes out on the other side of town to a small bridge crossing it again.
Come up onto the road and turn left and walk until you reach Eighterard, turn right. Follow this along back over the river and coming out the end of Camp Street. Turn down a small road left which will take you past the Boat house. Continue until you hit the Pier Road. You may want to briefly go left to catch a stunning view of the Lough Corrib and then right to return to town.
Tonwee Wood Walk
This walk begins over the small bridge on the church side of town, as well. Instead of going along the river, continue along the road as you turn right off the bridge. This road is the Scenic Route or the High Road and will give you spectacular panoramic views of Lough Corrib.
Near the summit of the hill you will see a turn in left into the forestry. This path will take you in a loop off the road and come out further up the Scenic road. There is a small loop or a larger loop you may do. The larger loop is about 3 miles and the Scenic Route Road is about 3 miles before it joins up with the Glann or Lake Road.
The Western Way
This is a rather famous walk that will take you a ways into Connemara. It begins either in town, if you want to walk 9 miles to its off-road start. Take the Scenic Road until it joins up with the Glann Road and continue until it ends, 9 miles down. There is a car park at the end so you may also drive this section- this is the viewing point to the Hill of Doon.
The trail will take you all the way to Maam and through to Leenane.
It is recommended for all walks to have a guide book or map at all times and to stick to the designated trails.
‘The Corrib Ramblers’
This group of avid walkers has been meeting for years for local, Connemara area and some international walks. All newcomers and visitors are welcome to join in.
Please see below schedule for upcoming walks.
Sunday Walks 2010
January - June
| Date | Leader | Walk Type/Location | Miles/Hours (Approx) |
| JANUARY | |||
| 24th | Anne Gallen | Ceapach Chuais, Nr Maam Cross | 7 miles / 3 hrs |
| 31st | Michael McEvilly | Rock Road, Moycullen | 6 miles / 2½ hrs |
| FEBRUARY | |||
| 7th | Mary Kyne | Killannin Woods | 6 miles / 2 hrs |
| 14th | Mary Kyne | Heritage Walk, Derry Laura, Oughterard | 7 miles / 2½ hrs |
| 21st | Christina O’Malley | New Village, Oughterard | 7 miles / 2½ hrs |
| 28th | Anne Gallen | Derryclare Wood, Inagh Valley, Nr Recess | 7 miles / 2½ hrs |
| MARCH | |||
| 7th | Mary Kyne | Glengowla, Oughterard | 6 miles / 2 hrs |
| 14th | Una O Halloran | Seanaféistin Walk, Oughterard | 6 miles / 2 hrs |
| 17th | St Patricks Day Parade | ||
| 21st | Anne Gallen | Cregg, Nr Letterfrack | 7 miles / 3 hrs |
| 28th | Michael McEvilly | Callownamuck, Nr Rosscahill | 7 miles / 2½ hrs |
| APRIL | |||
| 4th | Anne Gallen | Forest Walk, Cong | 10 miles / 4 hrs |
| 11th | Mary Joyce | Camus, Nr Rosmuck | 9 miles / 3 hrs |
| 18th | Marié-Héléne Biondi | Derroura, Oughterard | 10 miles / 4 hrs |
| 25th | Betty Clancy | The Coast Road | 6 miles / 2 hrs |
| MAY | |||
| 2nd | Mary Kyne | Hill of Doon, Glann, Oughterard | 8 miles / 3 hrs |
| 9th | Una Fleming | Burren | 9 miles / 3 hrs |
| 16th | Kathleen Ellis | Slieveneeny, Moycullen | 8 miles / 3 hrs |
| 23rd | Walking Holiday – Croatia | ||
| 30th | Michael McEvilly | Knockferry | 8 miles / 3 hrs |
| JUNE | |||
| 6th | Barbara McSharry | Clifden/Ballinahinch – lunch | 8 miles / 3 hrs |
| 13th | Mary Kyne | The Western Way | 8 miles / 3 hrs |
| 20th | Una Fleming | The Burren | 8 miles / 3 hrs |
| 27th | Barbara McSharry | Leenane / Killary Walk | 9 miles / 3 hrs |
