Benbulben Forest Walk Guide With Hike Map

The Benbulben Forest Walk is a relatively easy 5.5km trail that takes about 1.5 hours to complete.

This trail delivers some of the finest scenery in Sligo without the need for a strenuous climb.

Benbulben’s flat-topped summit towers above fields and forest, with views stretching to Donegal Bay and even the distant Slieve League Cliffs on a clear day.

The Benbulben Forest Walk

With its instantly recognisable flat top rising up to a gaudy 1,726 ft, Benbulben Mountain in Sligo is an imposing sight that dominates the surrounding countryside. Here’s what you need to know about the walk.

1. Walking clockwise vs counterclockwise

I’ve done this walk in both directions. In my opinion, there are pros and cons to both:

• Clockwise: You’ll need to walk uphill for a section of the trail, but you’ll be walking towards the mountain views
• Counterclockwise: There’s no incline to tackle, but the mountain views are behind you for the second 1/2 of the trail

2. There are two car parks

The starting point for the Benbulben Forest walk is 15 minutes from Rosses Point, 20 minutes from Mullaghmore, just over 10 minutes from Sligo Town and 25 minutes from Strandhill. There are two car parks:

• The main car park: Located here (see map below for visual)
• The Gortarowey car park: Located here (it’s near Cashelbaun)

3. How long it takes

Coming in at a breezy 5.5km, the Benbulben walk should take you around 1.5 hours to complete in full. Add on a bit of time if you want to gawp at the mountain or take in the sea views.

4. Difficulty level

This is one of the easier Sligo walks. As this ramble doesn’t actually involve climbing the mountain, the trail is quite flat and should be no bother for those with even a medium-level of fitness!

Benbulben hike map and trail overview

Also known as the Gortarowey walk, the Benbulben hike is a looped trail that starts in a sheltered forest before emerging alongside the grandeur of Benbulben.

Now, two quick notes before we begin:

• One: As this is one of the best things to do in Sligo, it attracts plenty of visitors, so the car parks tend to be busy at the weekend
• Two: I’m going to outline the clockwise Benbulben hike, from the Gortarowey car park, as outlined on the map above

Starting the walk

After you leave the Benbulben car park (see above), you’ll follow a forest trail with trees on either side. The trail opens up soon after and you’ll have trees to your right and the Sligo coast and Donegal off to your left.

The ‘ah-ha’ moment

The highlight of the Benbulben walk comes when the trail opens up and the mountain reveals itself in all its glory. Ahead, Benwisken rises like a frozen wave, its steep slopes and sweeping ridge adding to the drama.

Benbulben rises above you

The trail climbs gently on a rough, uneven surface with Donegal Bay spilling out to your left. Ahead, Benbulben rises like a colossal green wave frozen mid-crash, its sheer cliffs seeming to grow taller with every step until you feel as though it might come thundering down at any moment.

Continue towards the main car park

This flat stretch of trail is a joy, with Benbulben’s sheer face to your left. As you walk, the mountain seems to shift and change with the light, its ridges and shadows revealing new shapes and textures with every passing minute. You’ll soon pass the main car park.

Cashelbaun and back to the car

The trail from the main car park back to Gortarowey is mostly uneventful, but it offers one last highlight with Cashelbaun, an early medieval stone ringfort dating from around 400 to 1100 AD. From here it is just a short stroll to the car park.

Things to do nearby

One of the beauties of the Benbulben walk is that, when you finish, you’re a short spin about from many of the best places to visit in Sligo. Here are a few suggestions:

1. Devil’s Chimney (15-minute drive): Ireland’s tallest waterfall at 150m, only flowing after heavy rain, and reached via a short but steep 1.2km loop
2. Glencar Waterfall (15-minute drive): The short walk to this picturesque waterfall is easy and scenic, with views that inspired WB Yeats
3. Gleniff Horseshoe Drive (20-minute drive): A glacial valley, with towering cliffs, sweeping views of Donegal Bay, and the dramatic backdrop of Diarmuid and Grainne’s Cave
4. Heaps more stuff (20-minute drive): There’s plenty more to see and do nearby, like the Knocknarea walk (15-minute drive), The Glen (15-minute drive), Lough Gill (20-minute drive) and Rosses Point Beach (15-minute drive)