Forest trails, a waterfall and geological features shape the experiences in Toormakeady. For planning your day, walks of varying lengths, all considered easy, are available alongside a loop walk that follows forest paths, forestry roads and smaller roads. There is also a Geodiversity Trail and a historic building. This makes it possible to plan your stay around the time available and your interests in nature, geology or local history.

Choose a walk to suit your schedule

The Nature Trail in Tourmakeady is 2.5 kilometres long and takes about an hour; it is considered easy. The easy Lake Walk is the shorter option at 1.5 kilometres and approximately half an hour. The two time estimates make it easier to fit a walk into your day: about half an hour for the Lake Walk or around an hour for the Nature Trail.

The Tourmakeady Loop Walk differs in its route: it runs along forest paths, forestry roads and some smaller roads. Black posts, about one metre high, with purple direction arrows mark the route.

Waterfall and geology in the Tourmakeady Woods

The Tourmakeady Loop leads along a forest trail to an impressive waterfall and good viewpoints. There is a wide plunge pool at the waterfall. The loop also includes a wild bird pond and views of the Partry Mountains. The path from the car park to the waterfall is mostly level; by contrast, the Loop Walk follows a variety of path types.

The Tourmakeady Geodiversity Trail in the Tourmakeady Woods also leads to a waterfall. Ten different erratic boulders illustrate the geopark’s geodiversity. At each boulder, information panels explain the rock characteristics and how they formed. This trail therefore focuses particularly on local geology. The audio guide to the Tourmakeady Geosite accompanies the walk and provides background information. The geosite is part of the Joyce Country and Western Lakes UNESCO Global Geopark.

Getting around and local history

The Tourmakeady Woods can be reached by car from the village of Tourmakeady. On foot, a signposted access road leads from the village car park into the woods. Road and car park conditions may change; check them before your visit. When planning, it is also worth distinguishing the level section of path from the car park to the waterfall from the varied path types on the Loop Walk.

The Church of Ireland in Tourmakeady adds a local history dimension to the focus on nature and geology. The church was built in the 1850s and opened in September 1853. This clearly dated building history offers another local point of interest alongside the trails and landscape features.

County Mayo as a wider setting

In the wider destination of County Mayo, the National Museum of Ireland at Turlough Park offers a different thematic focus. Objects, rare archival photographs and films present Ireland’s rural past. Workshops, talks and guided tours are available year-round. This cultural attraction is in County Mayo and provides a separate option for travellers planning a trip beyond Toormakeady’s nature and geology.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Ballina, Glencorrib, Hollymount, Killala, Béal Easa, Islandeady, Kiltimagh, Valley.

Back to the wider travel overview: County Mayo.