Long before visitors arrived with their cameras and smartphones, W.B. Yeats found inspiration at Glencar Waterfall. Having visited here since I was a child, it’s easy to see why.
Water tumbles over a moss-covered cliff into a deep pool below, surrounded by mature woodland that changes with every season. Better still, unlike many of Ireland’s waterfalls, you don’t need to tackle a long hike to reach it.
The Glencar Waterfall Walk is a very handy ramble where you’re rewarded less than 10 minutes after you’ve left the car park.
Useful visitor information for Glencar Waterfall
Although a visit to Glencar Waterfall is fairly straightforward, there are a few need-to-knows that’ll make your visit that bit more enjoyable.
1. Location
Just a stone’s throw from the Sligo border, Glencar Waterfall is one of the jewels of County Leitrim. You’ll find it a 20-minute drive from both Sligo Town and Rosses Point and a 30-minute drive from both Strandhill and Mullaghmore.
2. The car park
The Glencar Waterfall Car Park has a decent bit of parking (see it on Google Maps here) and it’s rare that you’ll have any trouble getting a space (although there are always exceptions, usually during the summer months). Please use care as you approach the car park as the road has no paths and plenty of people stroll along it.
3. The waterfall walk
The walk from the car park to Glencar Waterfall is nice and short (5 – 10 minutes, max), and it should be doable for most fitness levels. Note: some people mistake this waterfall for the nearby Devil’s Chimney – the walk to see this waterfall is longer.
4. The longer hill walk
The longer Glencar Waterfall walk is a 2-hour ramble that takes you from the car park, up to the waterfall and then back down the road and up a nearby hill. A good level of fitness is needed. You’ll find it on the map above and I’ve also created a handy Google Map of it below.
5. Cafe and toilets
The Glencar Waterfall cafe (the teaSHED) is a fine little spot for a pre or post-walk coffee. There are public toilets in the waterfall car park and there are toilets in the cafe, too.
6. Irish Road Trip tip
Visit early in the morning or later in the evening during summer if you want to avoid the crowds. The waterfall is at its best after a spell of heavy rain, when the flow is much stronger.
About Glencar Waterfall
Photos via Shutterstock
Hidden away within lush forest just north of the lough, Glencar Waterfall isn’t the biggest waterfall in Ireland but it’s undoubtedly one of its most picturesque.
The green foliage, craggy rocks and cascading water all make for a gorgeous scene – you can see why Yeats was so inspired!
The entire area, from the vast lough to the falling hills, is an atmospheric feast for the eyes, but the waterfall is the cherry on top so make sure you take the time to see it.
Ireland isn’t a country that’s short on literary heroes. And, like all the greats, the finest Irish writers wrote about what they knew.
So just as Joyce brought the streets of Dublin to life in his work, WB Yeats managed to turn the world’s attention to the magical landscape of Glencar Lough and its nearby waterfall. And it just so happens that there’s also a deadly little walk around the area too!
The Glencar Waterfall Walks
The short 0.4km walk to Glencar Waterfall is one of the easiest ways to experience one of Ireland’s most beautiful waterfalls. From the main car park, it’s a gentle stroll along a well-maintained path through mature woodland that takes around 5 to 10 minutes each way.
The route is suitable for most fitness levels and there’s very little climbing involved. Along the way, you’ll cross a small bridge before reaching the waterfall, where water tumbles over a rocky cliff into the pool below.
The longer Hill Walk
If you’re looking for more of a challenge, the Glencar Hill Walk is well worth the effort. While not overly long (around 2 hours), the walk is steep and it can be muddy in places, too, so it’s considered a strenuous walk.
Sturdy walking boots will come in handy, as well as other protective gear if the weather is poor. Park at the waterfall car park, see the falls and then follow the road to Doneen’s and Hudson’s Trailhead (here on Maps).
Take care on the road between the waterfall car park and the trailhead, as there’s no footpath and traffic can be surprisingly busy during the summer months.
You’ll be climbing from the get-go but fortunately, you’ll have views out over Glencar Lough behind you after 2 or 3 minutes as a reward.
Reaching the top and getting back down
The views accompany you until you reach heavy forest. It’s from here that the scenery changes, as you’re engulfed by gorgeous woodland.
After some time, you’ll start to see a clearing up ahead. Eventually, you’ll reach a set of gates with steps. Climb over them carefully.
Now, it’s been a while since I was here last and I can’t remember if it’s to the right or the left (mind your footing) that you get a view out over Glencar Lough.
It will be obvious to you when you get to the top, anyway. To finish the Glencar Waterfall Walk, simply retrace your steps back down to wherever you parked up.
What to see and do near Glencar
One of the beauties of the Glencar Waterfall Walk is that it’s a stone’s throw from many of the best places to visit in Sligo along with the best things to do in Leitrim.
Below, you’ll find a handful of things to see and do a stone’s throw from the falls, from Ireland’s highest waterfall to more hikes and walks.
1. The Devil’s Chimney (3-minute drive to trailhead)
Photos via Shutterstock
Arguably the most popular nearby attraction is the Devil’s Chimney – the highest waterfall in Ireland. It only runs after heavy rainfall.
2. Beaches galore (25 to 30 minutes away)
You have some of the best beaches in Sligo a short spin from Glencar: Rosses Point Beach (25-minute drive), Strandhill Beach (30-minute drive) and Streedagh Beach (30-minute drive).
3. Incredible walks (20 to 45 minutes away)
If you fancy tackling some more walks, you’re in luck – there are plenty to choose from. Here are some of our favourites:
- Benbulben Forest Walk (20 minutes away)
- Lough Gill (20 minutes away)
- Union Wood (30 minutes away)
- The Glen (30 minutes away)
- Knocknarea Walk (30 minutes away)
- Knockashee Walk (45 minutes away)
- Caves of Keash (45 minutes away)
- Gleniff Horseshoe (35 minutes away)
Keith O’Hara has lived in Ireland for 35 years and has spent much of the last 13 creating what is now The Irish Road Trip guide. Over the years, the website has published thousands of meticulously researched Ireland travel guides, welcoming 40 million+ visitors along the way. In 2022, the Irish Road Trip team published the world’s largest collection of Irish Road Trip itineraries. Keith lives in Dublin with his dog Toby and finds writing in the 3rd person minus craic altogether.
Orla
Wednesday 6th of November 2024
There are also well maintained public toilets available in the waterfall car park.