Tara Hill Walking Trails

BLUE TRAIL

Distance: 5.4km (3.4 miles)

Ascent: 201m

Walking time: 1hr 15min

Waymarking: Blue

Grade: Moderate (definition below)

Dogs permitted. Must be kept on leads.

Distance: 5km (3.1 miles)

Ascent: 110m

Walking Time: 1hr

Waymarking: Red

Grade: Moderate (definition below)

Dogs permitted. Must be kept on leads.

RED TRAIL

At 252 metres, this heather-sloped rocky outcrop gives panoramic views up and down the Wexford / Wicklow coastline. Two trails, starting from two different trailheads (Crab Tree – Blue and Cemetery – Red) give you different flavours of Tara Hill and its surroundings. The Red Slí an tSuaimhnais trail begins from Tara Hill cemetery just beyond the village itself and there is ample car-parking space. This trail brings you along atmospheric laneways which now and again open out to reveal the wonderful views of the coast. Look out for a 1798 graveyard and on the final sections of this walk you will notice the Stations of the Cross attached to the trees, where locals used to come and pray in remembrance of times past.

The more demanding Blue Slí na n-Óg trail, beginning from the Ballinacarrig parking place (known locally as the Crab Tree) brings you on a walk which encompasses not just the higher slopes of Tara Hill itself, but its fascinating historical past. Along the way you will encounter the remains of a famine village, Soldier’s Hollow, Table Rock and on the summit, the cairn. This cairn has the crow’s-foot mark showing it was part of a military survey, using its height to provide possible defence in times of invasion. From this position can be seen Mount Snowdon in Wales, Croghan Kinsella in Co. Wicklow and Oulart Hill further south.

On both walks, flora and fauna are in abundance, and the keen-eyed walker will sometimes spot the Cuckoo, Sparrowhawks, Kestrels, Red kites, and Buzzards.

Moderate Grade Definition

Moderate trails are suitable for people with a moderate level of fitness. Specific outdoor walking footwear and clothing required. Will include predominantly Class 3 trails but can include sections of Class 1, Class 2 or Class 4 Trails (typically for no more than 30% of the route distance). Overall the route will have rough underfoot conditions and may include uphill sections taking up to 10 minutes to walk.

Don’t Miss

In the Church carpark is a board outlining the geological and historical background of this fascinating area. Watch out for the evidence on the Blue trail of the famine village and other buildings on the hill which gave shelter and sustenance to its people during Ireland’s troubled times.

To view more walking trails in Wexford visit, wexfordwalkingtrails.ie