Western Way

Tawnyard Section

 

This remote forest area is located deep in the Sheefry Mountains of Mayo and is primarily a trail head for the

Western Way

that crosses the forest and the Owenduff River, one of the west of Ireland’s premier fishing rivers.  The forest car park can be used as a starting point to explore the

Western Way

either going north or south or can be used to have a pleasant picnic and enjoy the view.

 

Location:

Tawnyard is located 7km west of Doolough in the Sheffry Hills of Mayo.

 

Directions:

From Leenane take the Delphi road to Doolough.  Turn Right on to a minor road and the site is 7 km along this road.

 

At a Glance:

Trail Name:                

Western Way

(Tawnyard)

Trail Start Point :       Carpark

Length:                        3.5km

Time:                          1.20hrs

Degree of Difficulty: Moderate

Meters Climb:            60

Trail Finishing Point: Houston ’s Bridge L937 663

Trail Way Marking:   Yellow

OS Discover Series :  Sheet No37

 

Trail Description

 

The trail enters the forest at the forest car park and follows the forest road for approximately 1.5km before turning right down to the bridge crossing at the Owenduff River.

The first Section provides the walkers with great views over Tawnyard Lough and South West to Ben Gorm (700) and west to Mweelrea at 803m the highest mountain in Connaught.

The river provides a pleasant place to stop and have a brief rest before continuing along the forest road through lodgepole pine – so called because the north Amercian Indians used them to support their tepees or lodges – and Sitka spruce forests.  Continuing to follow the forest road the route crosses a bog on its last stretch to Houston’s Bridge.

If you are not continuing further on the

Western Way

– retrace your steps to the car park.

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Tawnyard Forest Trail