A Guide To The Slieve Foye Loop: Trail, Parking + Handy Info

The Slieve Foye hike is one of the best walks in Louth and it’s arguably one of the best things to do in Carlingford.

However, the trail can be tricky to follow in places and, as there are a couple of different starting points, it’s easy to get confused.

Looking out over historic town of Carlingford, Slieve Foye is the highest of the Cooley Mountains and the highest in County Louth. But, as the cracking forest hike below will show, you don’t need to reach the mountain’s summit to be blessed with some seriously impressive views.

In the guide below, you’ll find info on everything from where to get parking and the trail to where to grab a bite-to-eat after.

Some quick need-to-knows about rambling up Slieve Foye Mountain

So, Slieve Foye isn’t as straightforward as some of the other Carlingford walks, so it’s worth taking a minute or so to read the below need-to-knows.

1. Location

Slieve Foye is located on the Cooley Peninsula, a relatively wide peninsula in the far northeast of the Republic of Ireland, with Northern Ireland beginning just north of Carlingford Lough. The mountain can be tackled right from the heart of the town.

2. Several different trails

When you get your boots on and head out from the village, you’ll notice a bunch of waymark arrows of different colours. That’s because there are a few different trails to hit here (including the lengthy 14km Barnavave Loop) but today we’ll be checking out the Slieve Foye Loop.

3. How long it takes

And at a solid 9km, the Slieve Foye Loop is no short ramble! Bearing that in mind, it should take around two and a half to three hours to complete (depending on how often you stop to check out the gorgeous views). 

4. Difficulty

With its length and hiking time, the Slieve Foye Loop is designated a strenuous walk (and there’s an ascent of 270 metres!) so be prepared before you arrive. Make sure to wear all the weather-appropriate gear and bring snacks and water to consume along the way. 

5. Parking

Parking in Carlingford can be an absolute nightmare at the weekend. There’s a car park in the town (here on Google Maps). There’s also parking right in front of Carlingford Lough, on the left as you enter the town (here on Google Maps).

6. Hiking boots necessary

Finally, don’t forget to wear a decent pair of hiking boots. The higher this trail goes, the more likely you are to encounter uneven ground and plenty of muddy spots. Better to be safe than sorry and wear a solid pair of boots to get you around this long aul trail. 

About Slieve Foye

Whether obscured by low cloud or rising up on a clear blue day, Slieve Foye certainly has one of the more dramatic locations of Ireland’s mountains, regardless of the weather.

With its position overlooking both the town of Carlingford and the Lough, it’s undeniably picturesque (check out the view from the other side of the lough if you don’t believe me!). 

At 1,932 ft, Slieve Foye is the tallest mountain in Louth and its Irish name – Sliabh Feá – means “mountain of the woods” (which, as you’ll see later, makes perfect sense!). Also, according to local lore, its crags and hillsides are home to Ireland’s last leprechauns.

An overview of the Slieve Foye Hike

So, in this guide, we’ll be taking you through the ‘Slive Foye Loop’, which follows blue arrows. The arrows are easy to miss in places, mainly due to overgrowth, so make sure to keep an eye out.

The map above with give you a good sense of the Slieve Foy hike, but I’ll take you through it below.

Start point

As you walk through the village, keep an eye out for Ma Bakers (you can’t miss it). You’ll want to take a right here and continue to follow the road upwards.

Eventually, you’ll reach a little t-junction with two stones walls ahead of you. There’s a clear, well trodden trail (here on Google Maps) from here that’ll get you started.

The forest

Follow the blue arrow along the track past some gates and into the dense forest (it can get very thick in places). With green pine and spruce trees to your left, the loop then continues through the forestry for around 1km before reaching a forestry trail (on the left) where the two loops turn left and ascends gently to reach the edge of forest.

A 20m climb then takes you to a stile crossing a wire fence. Navigate the stile, head left and continue to follow the wire fence for around 1km to reach the end of the forest. This is a great spot to stop for a breather and grab photos of the surrounding landscape.

Getting into the belly of the walk

Continue to follow the blue arrows for 300m to reach a bend in a grassy roadway where you’ll veer left and downhill. Again, keep in mind that, in parts of the Slieve Foye Loop, the trail can be tricky to see, so take your time and watch where you’re going.

Follow this for around 500m before reaching a wooden gate – pass through the gate and follow the arrows to the left. The loop now sweeps downhill to the right and, after 500m, joins a surfaced roadway that’s easy to walk. Here you’ll rejoin the Barnavave Loop before turning left and downhill.

Heading home

Look out for the parish church on the outskirts of the village and turn left and back to the village square. From here, it’s a short 100m stroll back to the trailhead In Carlingford.

You’ll past by some of the livelier pubs in Carlingford on your way. If you were tempted, we couldn’t blame you.

Things to do after climbing Slieve Foye

One of the beauties of the Slieve Foye Loop, and many of the Carlingford walks, is that it’s a short walk from plenty to see and do.

Below, you’ll find a handful of things to see and do a stone’s throw from Slieve Foye (plus places to eat and where to grab a post-adventure pint!).

1. Food (or a pint) in Carlingford Village

Need a well-earned feed after a 2-3 hour trek across Louth’s highest mountain? Don’t worry, as there are plenty of excellent restaurants in Carlingford. Or, if you have a designated driver, there are some cosy pubs in Carlingford where you can kick-back with a tipple.

2. Cycle the Carlingford Greenway

While there are plenty of trails to walk in the area, there’s also plenty of scope for heading out on two wheels and nowhere is better for that than cycling the Carlingford Greenway. Stretching 7km down the shoreline, it runs between Carlingford and Omeath and offers some stunning views of the peninsula along the way. 

3. Take the Carlingford Ferry to Greencastle

Surrounded by rising mountains and a vast body of water, taking the Carlingford Lough Ferry across Carlingford Lough is one of the best ways to appreciate this cinematic landscape. Running between Greenore in County Louth and Greencastle in County Down, the Scenic Carlingford Ferry has a fairly short journey time of 15 minutes but unique views from the water are well worth it. 

FAQs about the Slieve Foye Loop

We’ve had a lot of questions over the years asking about everything from the Glenveagh Castle Gardens to the tour.

In the section below, we’ve popped in the most FAQs that we’ve received. If you have a question that we haven’t tackled, ask away in the comments section below.