The Enniscoe Loop Walks at the North Mayo Heritage Centre, Enniscoe House near Crossmolina, Co. Mayo offer two family-friendly options for a peaceful and relaxing walk offering stunning views of Loch Conn, the enigmatic Nephin Mountain the highest standalone mountain in Ireland, alongside a wealth of beautiful woodland scenery.
Both trails are mostly flat, along tracks with gravel and grassy pathways within mature woodlands. The grading is considered “Easy”, with some gentle slopes and shallow steps, however, they may not be suitable for pushchairs especially in wet weather.
There is also a beautifully restored Ornamental Garden which is free to walk around, and an Organic Garden which produces organic fruit, vegetables and seeds which can be purchased from the North Mayo Heritage Centre Shop alongside a bookshop and artisan crafts and food. https://northmayoheritagecentre.ie/
Directions
Start from the town of Crossmolina on the N59 between Ballina and Bangor. From Crossmolina, take the R315 in the direction of Castlebar. The walks start in the North Mayo Heritage Centre carpark, F26 FR94, through the small iron gates, beside the outdoor map of the Enniscoe Looped Walks.
What to Expect: Woodland trails
Nearest Town: Crossmolina 3km
Start / Finish: North Mayo Heritage Centre carpark, F26 FR94, Co Mayo (OS Sheet 23, G144 143)
Distance: 2.7km and 3.7km
Estimated Time: 30 mins to 1 hour
Minimum Gear: Walking shoes, raingear and fluids
Enniscoe Loop Walk Trail Description
Starting from the car park, follow the purple arrow along the high stone garden wall (keep it on your left). At the end of the wall continue straight through a gateway as the loop swings left. After 200m turn left onto a path (signposted Mausoleum) which takes you into the ‘Pleasure Garden’ area. After 50m you reach a path on your right (signposted mausoleum). While the loop proceeds straight, the mausoleum is worth a visit – just remember to return to this junction to continue the loop. Continue to follow the path as it takes you to the back of the house. At the end of the building, watch for a sharp right turn onto a narrow gravel path.
Follow this path into woodland – after 200m it turns left and shortly afterwards joins a sandy roadway at wooden footbridge. Turn left here.
Follow the sandy roadway through stone pillars and on to reach a hut used by the Fisheries Board. A wonderful view of Lough Conn opens up in front of you here – soak it up before turning left and into woodland area known as Fox Covert. Now the loop follows grassy tracks through natural woodland (broadleaf and coniferous) and into Burnt Wood where it follows the right bank of a little stream. After 1km it exits onto a sandy roadway at a gate to a field – turn left here.
Follow the sandy roadway to reach a ‘crossroads’ where you continue straight onto a grassy track. The track takes to a tarred roadway (the ‘avenue’) – go straight across and join another woodland track. Follow this for 300m to exit at a metal gate and join a surfaced roadway. Proceed straight – it’s only 200m back to the trailhead.
Enjoy, and remember to leave no trace!
Advance checks
Please note that the loop walks occasionally closes for maintenance, usually during December and January. Should you wish to check before travelling, you can call the North Mayo Heritage Centre on +353 (0)96 31809
Further information
For more information visit Enniscoe Loop Walks on the North Mayo Heritage Centre website