Catch the busy final weekend of the Laois Walks Festival

Laois is famed for its lovely walks, and the annual Laois Walks Festival is serving up a busy final weekend of their month long festival, with something for everyone, including tasty fraughans on the Midland's highest peak.

Six walks will be held, starting on Friday, July 25 at 7pm where you can walk the Great Heath of Maryborough. Near Portlaoise is a glacial plain similar to the Curragh including freeroaming sheep. The guided walk will be a gentle 5km grassy looped walk with heritage stops. Tea after at The Heath Hall. Meeting point is The Heath Church, R32 R8YD, register from 6.30pm. Grade C - not suited for buggies or wheelchairs.

On Saturday morning, walk a 4km loop of one of Laois' newest nature amenities, Carrigmeal Woodland, Dysart, between Portlaoise and Stradbally. A forest walk with views and wildlife, the award winning amenity was developed by retired Laois councillor James Deegan. Tea after at the car park. Meeting point is Carrigmeal Woods Carpark, beside house R32 X5A4. Register at 10.30am, starts at 11am. Grade C easy, one hour walk.

After lunch on Saturday, July 26, there is a challenging 12km hike of Oughaval Woods just outside Stradbally. Explore historic trails and the Mass Rock and hear about the area's historical significance. Carpooling advised from Stradbally as parking limited. Tea after! Registration is at 2pm at Oughaval Forest Car Park (R32 C5D7). Starts at 2.30pm at the trailhead across the road. Grade A - Challenging, about 2.5 hours duration. Toilet facilities and refreshments after at the car park.

Sunday has three walks to choose from.

On Sunday morning July 27, join the Timahoe 6km forest walk, a scenic loop with great views and woodland paths. Register at Timahoe Community Hall, R32 KC82 at 10.30am. Walk starts at 11am, 6km, Grade B, lasting about 1.5 hours. Not suited for buggies or wheelchairs. Toilets and light refreshments afterwards at the hall.

Read also: Proceeds of magical Laois community concert donated to good causes

The historic Fraughan Sunday hike, lasting two and half hours will bring walkers across the Slieve Blooms to Arderin, picking the blueberry like tasty fraughan berries as they go. It is a 2.5km ascent, rising 290 metres, a "challenging hike" not suited for buggies or wheelchairs. Gather at the Poet's Cottage, Camross  R32TX8Y at 2.30pm on Sunday, July 27. Organised by the Slieve Bloom Association.

The final walk of The Laois Walks Festival is a wonderful 12K walk alongside the Grand Canal in Laois, starting at 2:30pm from the Fisherman’s Inn to Vicarstown and back. A flat Blueway trail, with aqueduct views and tea after. Register at The Fishermans Thatched Inn r32Cr22 from 2pm. Lasting 2.5 hours. Suited for all.

All of the guided walks are €10 for adults, or €20 for a month's ticket. Children go free. Wear walking shoes/boots and bring a rain jacket.