Foxford Walks in Co. Mayo

Foxford is the perfect holiday destination for people who enjoy walking in beautiful, unspoilt surroundings, enriched by perfect backdrops of forests and hills, rivers and lakes.

Whether your preference is a long leisurely stroll or an energetic day's walking, there are marked trails suitable for all levels of fitness - all easily accessible from Foxford town.

The Foxford Loop Walks

The Foxford Loop Walks were developed in partnership with Mayo North East Leader Partnership Company Teoranta, Mayo County Council, Mayo County Development Board, Local Rural Social Scheme, Local landowners and the local communities.

Larganmore Loop

Larganmore Loop is a 14km long loop walk starting and finishing at the official viewing point in Glanfuff, Foxford.

It’s a moderate-hard trail and winds along surface roads, country lanes, bog and mountain tracks. Walkers will enjoy spectacular views of the Western slopes of The Ox Mountains, where the Feral goats live. They are descendants of domestic goats run wild.

This trail is marked by a purple arrow and takes 4 hours-4 hours 30 mins.

Prebaun Loop

This 10km long loop walk starts and finishes at Attymachugh Church and covers a section of the Foxford Way.

It winds along country lanes and bog tracks on the hillsides. Prebaun’s theme is nature and walkers can spot the fine horned “Billy” goats roaming the Western slopes of the Ox Mountains. These goats live separated from their females and kids.

Prebaun Loop has been graded as a moderate-hard walk and takes 2 hours-3 hours 30 mins. It is marked by a purple arrow.

Callow Loop

Callow Loop is a 6.5 km long moderate walk. It starts and finishes at the pier slipway at Callow Lake and is situated just off the N26 Foxford-Swinford road. This beautiful trail, overlooking Callow Lakes, winds along country lanes and bog tracks. It covers a section of the Foxford Way and offers spectacular views of Callow Lakes.

Both of the lakes (north and south) are approximately 0.4km2 and a narrow navigable channel links them. The lakes teem with wild brown trout and gets hatches of mayfly and sedges. Fishing is particularly well.

The trail, marked by a blue arrow, takes 2 hours-2 hours 30 mins.

Shanwar Belgarrow Loop

This 8km long loop walk starts and finishes beside the children’s playground in Foxford, just off the N26 Foxford-Swinford Road. It winds along country lanes and bog tracks. Walkers will enjoy wonderful views of Nephin and the Ox Mountains.

The trail is way marked by a red narrow and the level of difficulty is moderate-hard. It takes 2 hours- 2 hours 30 mins.

Foxford Way Loop

The 33km long Foxford Way Loop is one of the most beautiful walks in Mayo. The trailhead is situated in Foxford beside the children’s playground in a car park just off the N26 Foxford-Swinford Road. It winds between the Ox Mountains and the distinctive Nephin Mountain.

Walkers can admire many species of flora and fauna and some archaeological and historical sites including fascinating pre-historic and early Christian ruins. During the walk bogs, mountains, rivers, lake and breathtaking scenery come into sight.

This Long Distance Walk is marked by a yellow arrow with the Walking Man and it takes 7-8 hours.

The Foxford Way

The 86km long Foxford Way is a walking trail, which complements Mayo's longest walk, the Mayo Western Way. The distinctive Ox Mountains and the Nephin Mountains are on either side of the Foxford Way as it extends south from Foxford to Straide and around Lough Cullin to Pontoon.

Traversing an area of exceptional archaeological and historical interest it is richly endowed with flora and fauna.

The route goes from Foxford to Kilsheshnan to Straide, on to Derryhick and back to Foxford again. The longest stage - a distance of 12.5 miles - is between Kilsheshnan and Straide and the Ox Mountains provides the highest peak on the walk at 1177 ft.

The route completes a circular tour of North East Mayo.

Other Things You Might Like