Carrowbehy/Cahir Trail

The Carrowbehy/Cahir Trail is a short easy loop in County Roscommon, covering 3.1 km / 1.9 mi with only 7 m / 23 ft of climbing. It stays almost flat throughout, reaching a highest point of 92 m / 302 ft, so it suits walkers looking for a gentle outing of about 40 minutes. The route lies beside Carrowbehy/Caher Bog, a protected raised bog landscape.

The route

This is a loop route starting on the R293 near Roscommon. From the road, the trail makes a compact circuit around open bogland and adjoining ground before returning to the start. With only 6 m / 20 ft of descent across the whole walk, the ground profile is very gentle and the route is more about the surrounding landscape than any physical challenge.

Terrain and difficulty

The trail is best approached as an easy local walk rather than a hike with sustained climbing. Its low elevation change means it should feel straightforward for most walkers, but bog-edge ground can still be soft or wet after rain, so waterproof footwear is a sensible choice. Because the route begins on a regional road, extra care is needed around traffic at the start and finish.

Nature and landscape

The main character of the walk comes from the bog itself. Carrowbehy/Caher Bog is a Special Area of Conservation and is recognised for active raised bog, degraded raised bog capable of natural regeneration, and wet hollows on peat. The wider site is noted for being a large floodplain bog between low drumlin hills, with extensive wet areas and unusual internal drainage features, giving this short walk a strong sense of Roscommon's peatland landscape.

Getting there

The start is on the R293. Drivers should plan for roadside access and take care not to obstruct gates or passing traffic.

Practical notes

This is a good choice for a brief leg-stretcher, a family stroll, or a quiet introduction to the area's bog scenery. As the route is short and level, the main preparation is for underfoot conditions rather than distance: waterproof shoes, an extra layer in exposed weather, and HiiKER navigation should be enough for most walkers.