If you’re looking for things to do in Sligo on a fine day, you can’t go wrong with the Union Wood Walk.
Union Wood, which was at one time part of the Cooper estate, is now managed by Coillte and it’s a fine place for a ramble.
The wood is home to 2 of my favourite walks in Sligo, each of which are relatively easy going and shouldn’t take you any longer than 1.5 to 2 hours to complete.
About Union Wood in Sligo
Although a visit to Union Wood in Sligo is fairly straightforward, there are a few need-to-knows that’ll make your visit that bit more enjoyable.
1. Location
The Union Wood is located between Coolooney, Ballygawley and Ballisodare. It’s a 15-minute drive from Sligo Town, a 20-minute drive from Strandhill, a 25-minute drive from Rosses Point and a 35-minute drive from Mullaghmore.
2. Walk overview
Union Rock provides magnificent views – you can see so much of the north west of Ireland from this vantage point. There’s the Oakwood Trail (2 hours) and the Union Rock Trail (1.5 hours).
3. Where to park
There’s a nice bit of parking for Union Wood (I’ve marked the spot on Google Maps here). You shouldn’t have much hassle getting parking during the week, but it can get busy here at weekends, especially when the weather’s good.
The Union Wood walk
Union Wood showcases fallow deer, bluebells in May and rhododendrons. The boundaries enclose part of the Sligo Way that runs through Slish Wood and on to the village of Dromahair.
An area of old Oak woodland is fenced off from the fallow deer and the adjoining trail links into the Sligo way and there you can see some fabulous views of Knocknarea, the Ox mountain range and Sligo/Leitrim to the east.
Walk 1: The Oakwood Trail
The Oakwood Trail is an easy 5.1km loop that starts and finishes at the Union Wood car park. Allow around 2 hours to complete it at a leisurely pace. With only around 20m of ascent, it’s suitable for most fitness levels and is a good option if you’re looking for a relaxed woodland walk.
The route follows the edge of an ancient oak woodland that was once part of the historic Cooper Estate and is now managed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS).
Along the way, you’ll be treated to views of the Ox Mountains, Knocknarea, Ballygawley Lake and the surrounding Sligo and Leitrim countryside. If you don’t mind a short detour, it’s worth making the climb to Union Rock, which offers one of the best viewpoints along the trail.
Walk 2: The Union Rock Trail
The Union Rock Trail is a 3km loop that starts and finishes at the Union Wood car park. Allow around 1.5 hours to complete it. Despite its short distance, it packs plenty into the route and is suitable for most fitness levels.
Following forest roads, the trail skirts the edge of Ballygawley Lake, an area designated as a Special Area of Conservation.
Along the way you’ll pass through a mix of conifer and broadleaf forest before reaching Union Rock, where a short boardwalk climb leads to panoramic views over Knocknarea, the Ox Mountains and the surrounding Sligo and Leitrim countryside.
Things to do near Union Wood
One of the beauties of Union Wood in Sligo is that it’s a short spin away from many other things to do and places to visit.
Below, you’ll find a handful of things to see and do after you’ve finished one of the Union Wood Walks (plus places to eat and where to grab a post-adventure pint!).
1. The Lough Gill Drive
Lough Gill is a freshwater lake (lough) in Sligo famous for being the setting for the Irish poet, William Butler Yeats’ “The Lake Isle of Innisfree”. You can drive around it (the drive takes about an hour in total) but more time is needed as there are lots of walks on the way. See our guide to the Lough Gill Drive.
2. Strandhill
Photos via Shell’s Cafe on FB
Strandhill is a small coastal village popular with surfers because of its beach. It’s a great place to base yourself in because there are so many things to do close by. You can head for a stroll on Strandhill Beach, grab some food in the town or do one of the other activities in our Strandhill guide.
3. Knocknarea
Knocknarea is a hill west of Sligo town with a height of 327 metres. It is supposed to be the burial place of Queen Maedbh of Connacht, the legendary Celtic warrior queen said to have lived about 2,000 years ago. The hill stands on the Cúil Irra peninsula and overlooks the Atlantic coast.
4. Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery
Photos via Shutterstock
Carrowmore is the largest cemetery of megalithic tombs in Ireland and an awe-inspiring place to visit. It is close to Sligo town and is right in the heart of territory rich in prehistoric significance. There are more than 30 stone tombs – passage tombs and stone circles. The most ancient of them is supposed to be about 6,000 years old. The area has the remains of ancient forts and standing stones too.
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.