The invitation to Westmeath walkers is clear and simple whether you’re a seasoned rambler or just like to stretch your legs and enjoy the view, then the organisers of the annual Carlow Autumn Walking Festival had your varied abilities in mind when they planned the 2023 programme for this very popular festival.
The 2023 Festival takes place from Friday, October 6, just before the clocks turn back and there is still extended light in the evenings.
The ambitious programme offers 19 walks, ranked A, B and C in order of their difficulty and duration. All walks have been designed to cater for those who love a leisurely walk, taking in and learning more about nature and their general surroundings, the walker with a thirst for history, those energised by the challenge of an invigoration mountain trek, the novice hillwalker, photographic enthusiasts, and those who like the stillness of mindfulness. The walks are graded and timed to suit the capabilities of each category. All walks end with light refreshments giving participants the opportunity to recap on their experiences.
All A & B walks are led by knowledgeable local guides from Tullow Mountaineering Club and Blackstairs Ramblers and are of varying duration from 1.5hrs to 7 hrs while C walks are led by local walking enthusiasts.
By the end of the weekend, visitors will become familiar with the Scullogue Gap, Tomduff Hill, Slievebawn, Black Rock Mountain, the heritage of Mount Leinster, Kilbrannish Forest, Rathanna village, Drummond, Knockmulgurry, the Barrow Way, the Blackstairs Mountains, and many other places all too familiar with Carlow residents but maybe not so for those unfamiliar with the splendour of this amazing county.
“The Festival gets underway at 6.30pm on Friday, October 6, with the extremely popular night hike, which we are delighted to include again this year.
“We hope the variety we have included has something for everyone, be it the walk with well-known biologist and RTÉ personality Éanna Ní Lamhna on Saturday, October 7. Éanna will introduce walkers to some of the amazing habitats of the Blackstairs, from conifer plantations to upland bog, hedgerow and scrub, and the birdlife that thrive here including kestrals, peregrine falcons, skylarks and pheasants.
“The photographic walk, also on the Saturday, which takes place in the Kilbrannish Forest North Recreation Area, will enable avid photographers to capture stunning pictures of the outdoors. This informative walk, led by Richard Smyth LIPF, will introduce walkers to the basic principles of photography in the wild. We invite those participating in this walk to bring their camera or mobile phone and enjoy the wonderful views northwards over the plains of Carlow, along this well surfaced forest path.
“The ever-popular mindfulness meditation walk in Altamont Gardens, led by mindfulness expert Jack Byrne, returns on the Sunday. Through providing down-to-earth and practical tips on how to reconnect for improved mental and physical health and psychological well-being, and sharing his mindfulness techniques, Jack will send visitors home with a totally new perspective.
“The walk starts in the main formal garden before continuing to the informal gardens and the Ice Age Glen with its canopy of ancient oaks and huge stone outcrops and from there to the riverside walk along the River Slaney. Walkers then climb the famous “100 steps” to return to the start of the walk and some well-deserved treats from Sugar and Spice Café in Altamont Walled Gardens.
“By introducing our county to walkers, we hope we are playing our part in encouraging more people to enjoy the splendour of the great outdoors whilst reaping the health benefits associated with walking,” launching the festival, Chairman of Carlow Tourism Michael Walsh, said.
