Shelmaliere / Forth Mountain
Overview
There are a number of car parks and lay-bys in the forest, with numerous walks on the forest road network and paths, including two way marked routes. Fine views of the surrounding countryside can be had and on a clear day you can see counties Carlow, Kilkenny, Tipperary, Wicklow and Waterford.
Flora amongst the trees include heather, heath and furze, these are beautiful in Autumn when they turn to purple and gold colours, which incidentally are the Wexford county colours.
Things to do
Walks:
The Forth Mountain Trail (10km – 2 hours – moderate- red markers) has its main trailhead in the Shelmalire Commons New Line car park but can also be accessed from the car parks in Pennylands and Tincurra. Forth Mountain is a rock outcrop rising to a height of 780 feet (235m) just south west of Wexford town. No other mountain in Ireland can boast of 500-600 million-year-old rock, a pivotal location in the 1798 Rebellion, the remains of houses built in the early 1900s, a grotto, and a climb of almost 235m high.
The Three Rocks Trail (13km – 4 hours – moderate – navy blue markers) is a linear trail first established in 1998 to commemorate the bicentenary of the 1798 Easter rising, it has now received a full makeover and is a most enjoyable hike. Take your time along the Three Rocks Trail, and enjoy the landmarks and landscape, from Ferrycarrig to Barntown and over Forth Mountain to find breathtaking scenery, biodiversity, and stories of bravery. Three Rocks Trail leads you along part of the route traversed by the Wexford men during the 1798 rebellion in Wexford, while you are immersed in scenic beauty. A little adventure goes a long way!
Visitors Facilities on site
Laybys & car parks
Open 24/7 all year.