Leitrim families urged to rediscover the county’s forests this summer
Glenfarne, Derrycarne and Fowleys Falls / Derrynahimmirk are among Coillte’s top Leitrim forest destinations this summer.
As families plan summer day trips and staycations, Coillte is encouraging people across Leitrim to rediscover the forests on their doorstep through its “Start at Your Local Coillte Forest” campaign, highlighting local destinations that offer scenic walks, family adventures and opportunities to reconnect with nature.
Outdoor recreation and time spent in nature play an important role in supporting health and wellbeing. As Ireland’s largest provider of outdoor recreation, Coillte manages more than 260 recreation sites, including 12 forest parks, 3,000km of waymarked trails and five mountain bike centres.
Coillte’s forests welcome an estimated 20 million visits annually. Each visitor destination offers its own distinct character.
Across Leitrim, Coillte forests offer a range of experiences, from lakeside walks and river trails to scenic viewpoints, heritage features and woodland paths.
At Glenfarne, visitors can enjoy views across Lough MacNean, explore the Lough MacNean Sculpture Trail and discover walking trails through the forest.
Derrycarne combines lakeside woodland walks with opportunities for boating and fishing, making it a popular destination for visitors to enjoy the water and surrounding landscape. Meanwhile, Fowley’s Falls offers a scenic riverside walk alongside the Glenaniff River, offering a peaceful setting to experience the area's natural beauty.
Speaking about the importance of Coillte’s recreational offering, Coillte CEO Imelda Hurley, said: “Every summer, thousands of people choose Coillte forests to walk, explore and spend quality time together. We want to remind people that you don't need to travel far to enjoy memorable outdoor experiences – some of Ireland's most beautiful places are right on your doorstep.
“As part of our commitment to delivering the multiple benefits of forests for climate, nature, wood and people, we’re continuing to enhance our outdoor recreation offering. Our ambition is to expand our recreation areas to 500 sites nationwide and enable investment to develop world-class visitor destinations that strengthen rural communities and create even more opportunities for people to enjoy the outdoors.”
Significant investment has been made in recent years to enhance recreation across Coillte's forest estate through strategic partnerships with Fáilte Ireland and the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht. These partnerships have helped create visitor destinations such as Beyond the Trees Avondale in Co. Wicklow, while also supporting the development of accessible trails designed for people of all ages and abilities.
To find your nearest forest and start planning your next outdoor adventure, visit Coillte.ie