Waterfalls, wildlife, cairns, and castles — Ireland’s forests are a smorgasbord of adventure. Adrenaline seekers, twitchers, and history buffs alike will all be delighted to explore the green beyond the green and go deeper into the lush woodlands, where natural beauty and intriguing landmarks await.
At Zipit, we spend all our time on the treetops at our Forest Adventure Parks in Ireland. With three locations across the country, we know some of the areas that are worth exploring.
Here’s a guide to the best-hidden forest adventures in Ireland to inspire you to venture further into the landscape, where you’ll encounter lakes, mountain bike trails, and ancient wonders. If you have any questions about our forest adventures, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
1. Immerse Yourself in the Scenery of Ballinastoe Woods
The Ballinastoe Woods in County Wicklow are some of the most breathtaking you can find in Ireland. These forests are something out of a movie, with their mossy grounds and majestic trees.
Ballinastoe Woods has numerous walking trails to choose from, including along the picturesque boardwalk where photographers will enjoy capturing the stunning scenery. Those looking to get their hearts racing can also hit the mountain biking trails, with some routes climbing out of the forests for views of Lough Tay and the sea.
2. Embark on the Tibradden Mountain Trail
Outside of the bustling city of Dublin, Tibradden Wood offers a tranquil and rejuvenating retreat into nature. Teeming with a variety of flora, this forest is begging to be explored on foot. The Tibradden Mountain Trail takes you on a relaxing jaunt through the forests before summiting the mountain, where you’ll find a historic cairn and tremendous views. Taking just two hours to complete, it’s the perfect complement to our thrilling zipline course at Tibradden Wood Zipit Adventure Park!
3. Discover Castle Ruins at Donadea Forest Park
Donadea Forest Park in Country Kildare will provide you with an experience of both nature and history. Forming part of a National Heritage Area, this forest park spans 2,443 hectares and features everything from a lake to castle ruins.
The castle you can find here was once the home of the Anglo-Norman Aylmer family, who lived here for over 400 years. While it’s in ruins today, nature has reclaimed it back into the landscape, with lush creepers having taken over its walls. Along with the castle, you can also see remains of the estate, including the walled gardens, ice house, and boat house. Take a walk along the lime tree avenue that was planted in the 19th century.
At the lake, admire the ducks feeding and water lilies blooming in the summer. If you work up an appetite while you’re here, you can make a stop at the Donadea Coffee House for a bite to eat and a drink.
4. Chase Waterfalls at Glengariff Nature Reserve
At Glengariff Nature Reserve, you’ll find 300 hectares of tranquil woodland. Made up predominantly of old oak woodland and young woodland, this reserve in County Cork is full of surprises, with verdant greenery, rivers, and waterfalls.
There are numerous trails you can walk along in Glengariff. Take a gentle stroll alongside the river, home to the freshwater pearl mussel — the longest-living animal in Ireland, living up to 120 years old.
On a clear day, you can walk up to Lady Bantry’s Lookout for views across the region. One of the best things to do, however, is chase waterfalls. On the Esknamucky trail, you’ll find a small waterfall that turns into rushing cascades after rain. You can also easily complete the 15-minute waterfall walk which takes you to the beautiful waterfall of the Canrooska River.
The Glengariff Nature Reserve is just a 1-hour drive away from our County Cork treetop course, the Farran Park Zipit Adventure Park! Time your visit so you can enjoy both Glengariff and our exciting circuits in one day!
5. Go Sailing on Lough Key
If you want to spend some time on the water, there’s no better place than Lough Key. Located in the heart of County Roscommon, the Lough Key Forest and Activity Park offers plenty of forest adventures, from walking and cycling routes to children’s scavenger hunts and intriguing tours of the first tree canopy walk in Ireland. It’s also the home of our Lough Key Zipit Adventure Park!
In between your time in the treetops, you can take a relaxing boat tour on Lough Key, where you’ll get to learn more about the tales of this great lake. Alternatively, get your life jacket on and go paddling in the waters aboard a kayak for a refreshing journey!
For more ideas on what to do in the area, check out our blog about Outdoor Adventures in Roscommon’s Beautiful Forests!
6. Find Ancient Cairns on Knockma Forest Trail
On the Knockma Forest Trail, you’ll enter a place of history and mystery. Located in County Galway, Knockma is also known as “Fairy Hill” for its connection to ancient legends. You can climb the moderately challenging route up to Knockma Hill, which takes about 1.5 hours in total. At the summit, you’ll find two ancient cairns. It’s said that the legendary Queen Maeve of Connacht is buried here, as well as the settler Ceasair.
Whether this is true or not, there’s no doubt these cairns date back centuries. Even more ancient artefacts can be found along the way, making this trail unmissable for both locals and visitors.
7. Look for Wildlife in Portumna Forest Park
If you want to see some of Ireland’s wildlife, Portumna Forest Park is the place to go. Covering 450 hectares of woodland in County Galway, Portumna is home to a herd of deer, red squirrels, foxes, and badgers. You may also spot white-tailed sea eagles nesting here.
Even if you don’t manage to see some of the more elusive creatures, Portumna has walking and cycling trails where you can explore this almost whimsical forest.
- Have an Adventure in the Treetops with Zipit!
What better way to experience Ireland’s forests than from the treetops? With Zipit, you can go ziplining, climbing, and even BMXing through the canopies! Our parks are located across Ireland, from our Tibradden Wood Zipit Adventure Park in Dublin to our Lough Key Zipit Adventure Park in County Roscommon and our Farran Park Zipit Adventure Park in County Cork.
Our forest parks offer a hidden adventure like no other, where you get to explore up to 20 metres high! Perfect for families and even group events, our circuits allow you to discover a completely new perspective of Ireland while having loads of fun.
If you have any questions about our Zipit parks, don’t hesitate to contact us.
