The Carlow Autumn Walking Festival, running from 3-5 October 2025, features over 15 graded walks across Carlow’s mountains, forests, and rivers.
A and B walks, led by Tullow Mountaineering Club and Blackstairs Ramblers, cover the Blackstairs Mountains, while C walks suit beginners. Highlights include a 6:30pm opening night hike and a nature walk with Éanna Ní Lamhna exploring Blackstairs wildlife.
River Barrow C walks include St Mullins to Graiguenamanagh, Bagenalstown to Leighlinbridge, and Maganey to Carlow Town.
A mindfulness walk in Clogrennan Forest, led by Mary Clare Harte, focuses on nature connection, with all walks ending in refreshments.
Michael Walsh chair of Carlow tourism shared: “The Carlow Autumn Walking Festival has always been about connection – with nature, with people, and with County Carlow which enjoys such a great range of walks. This year’s programme brings together challenging hikes, gentle C walks, themed nature and history experiences, and opportunities for mindfulness. It’s the perfect way to embrace autumn before the clocks change and the evenings shorten.”
Categorised walks
Walks are categorised into A, B, and C levels: A and B graded hikes, led by experienced guides from the aforementioned clubs, typically span four to seven hours and delve into rugged terrains such as the Blackstairs Mountains for invigorating ascents and panoramic views; these are ideal for intermediate to advanced walkers eager for a physical challenge intertwined with insights into local history and ecology. C-level walks, guided by enthusiastic locals, are shorter at around ninety minutes, perfect for beginners, families, or those preferring a gentler pace along accessible paths, perhaps incorporating elements of photography or mindfulness practices.
Among the anticipated highlights, nature and biodiversity-focused walks will traverse the ecologically rich Blackstairs Mountains, a Special Area of Conservation teeming with moorlands, heaths, and diverse flora unique to counties Carlow and Wexford. History buffs can look forward to guided explorations revealing ancient farmsteads, stone walls, and tales from the area’s past, possibly along the original towpath of the River Barrow – Ireland’s second-longest river system and a haven for wildlife.
For adventure seekers, mountain treks up Mount Leinster offer thrilling elevations and sweeping vistas, while family-oriented outings in areas like Altamont Gardens – one of Ireland’s premier gardens – provide opportunities for easy rambles amid manicured landscapes and practical sessions on mindfulness techniques to enhance mental and physical wellbeing.
Photography enthusiasts will appreciate specialised walks designed to capture the golden hues of autumn foliage, and shorter loops in Clogrennan Wood or Kilbrannish Forest Trails ensure inclusive access for all, including novices and those with mobility considerations.
Organised by Carlow Tourism and supported by local groups such as the Tullow Mountaineering Club and Blackstairs Ramblers, this annual event promises a diverse programme of guided walks that cater to seasoned hikers, families, photographers, and those seeking mindful escapes amid the Blackstairs Mountains, Mount Leinster, and the River Barrow. With walks graded by difficulty and duration, participants can choose from challenging mountain treks to leisurely strolls, all concluding with complimentary refreshments of soup, sandwiches, tea, and coffee to foster camaraderie and reflection.
The festival underscores Carlow’s status as a walker’s paradise, boasting three national long-distance routes – the South Leinster Way and the Barrow Way among them – alongside looped trails through stunning locales like Kilbrannish Forest Trails and Clogrennan Wood.
