Glenbarrow
Overview
Glenbarrow is one of the most scenic parts of the Slieve Bloom area with its waterfalls and steep-sided valley. The area is quite remote but has become one of the most popular visitor sites in the mountains. The recently improved car-parking area caters for more than 50 cars, but get there early on sunny weekend days. If the car-park is full, please park with care for our neighbours access to their homes and farms.
There are a choice of long and short looped trails and the first trail is buggy-friendly as far as the area known as Flat Rock.
The area was extensively quarried in the 1800’s and there are still many signs of the quarrying activities evident today – the exposed bedrock of the red sandstone and the holes where explosives were placed.
The river Barrow has cut it’s way through the deposits of an ancient glaciers and now sits in a steep sided vally. The main trail past the waterfall leads you up through the valley, past old homesteads in Cones and eventually out onto the Nature Reserve on the Ridge of Capard. There has been extensive trail repair work here in recent years, so it is easier to get out there and enjoy this wonderful valley.
But mind that the terrain can be rough in parts, especially higher up so be prepared with appropriate clothing and footwear.
Things to do
Walk: The area has four way-marked marked trails. The trails all start at the car park and all follow the river for the first section. The names of the trails are; The Flat Rock loop (3kms, 1hr, moderate) a walk to the waterfall and back; The Waterfall loop (7km, 2hrs, moderate) up past the waterfall and continue along the bogbridge and then accend up to the forest road and back to the carpark; The Old Mill loop (12km, 3 ½ hrs, strenuous) following the route of the first two walks this trail also brings you to the ruins of an old stone mill before joing up with the forest road back to the car park; The Eco walk (10km, 3hrs, strenuous) a novel and educational walk developed in partnership with the local communities, the ECO walk has 10 stops along the way
DON’T MISS OUR HIDDEN GEM
The lovely waterfall Clamphole Waterfall
Visitors Facilities on site
Car Parking – 30 cars