Gowlin Forest Trail
Walking Trail · Carlow
Gowlin Forest Trail is a 6.2 km moderate waymarked loop in Carlow, starting near Glynn (3km) St Mullins.
Grade
| Activity | Grade | Difficulty | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walking | Moderate | Moderate | 1 hour 30 minutes |
Getting there
Starts at Car park at entrance to Gowlin Wood, near Glynn (3km) St Mullins (5km).
- Trailhead coordinates
- 52.53516, -6.8652
- Irish Grid reference
- S 77043 43218
- Ordnance Survey sheets
- Discovery Series Sheet 68
The National Trails Register's own latitude and longitude fields are empty for all 1,186 trails on it. This trailhead comes from Sport Ireland's separate Trailheads dataset, matched to this trail on its register ID.
Public transport
Nearest available point for public transport is Glynn Village approx. 3km (Local Link 887 operates four services per day between Carlow and New Ross and three on Sunday)
About the trail
From the lower car park at the public road, follow the forest road as it climbs steadily uphill and around a large zig zag bend. The forest road levels out and reaches the upper car parking area at a junction. The name of this wood, walk and nearbv settlement is Gowlin, pronounced Goolin locally. The name is derived from the Irish word 'guala' or 'gualainn', meaning a shoulder. As you climb up the hill and onto the level ground, you ascend onto a great shoulder or spur jutting out from the main ridge of the Blackstair Mountains. It's this afforested spur that gives it's name to the area. Fabulous views of the South Blackstairs and Barrow Valley are on offer here. The upper car parking area is located at a forest road junction with great views north to Mount Leinster.
- Waymarking
- Green
- Dogs
- Yes
Who manages it
Carlow County Council
Carlow County Council | email: [email protected] Tel: 059 9170300
Conditions and closures change. The operator is the authority on both, not this page.
Trails nearby
Measured trailhead to trailhead, in a straight line.
- Clashganny Viewing Point Loop 4.3 km away · 5.5 km trail
- Clashganny Lock Loop 4.4 km away · 3.6 km trail
- Brandon Hill Loop 6.1 km away · 15.7 km trail
- Bahana Forest Trail 6.8 km away · 4.5 km trail
- Kiltealy Cullentra Trail 8.8 km away · 6.3 km trail
- Brandon Hill Summit Walk 8.9 km away · 6.5 km trail
Common questions
How long is the Gowlin Forest Trail?
6.2 km, recorded as a loop on Sport Ireland's National Trails Register. It climbs 140 m in total. Sport Ireland estimates 1 hour 30 minutes.
How hard is the Gowlin Forest Trail?
Sport Ireland grades it Moderate. Grades are set against national criteria, so they are comparable with other registered trails.
Where does the Gowlin Forest Trail start?
Starts at Car park at entrance to Gowlin Wood, near Glynn (3km) St Mullins (5km). The trailhead is at 52.53516, -6.8652 (Irish Grid S 77043 43218).
Can you bring a dog on the Gowlin Forest Trail?
Yes. The register records dogs as allowed. Much of the Irish trail network crosses working farmland, so keep a dog under close control near livestock.
Can you get to the Gowlin Forest Trail without a car?
Nearest available point for public transport is Glynn Village approx. 3km (Local Link 887 operates four services per day between Carlow and New Ross and three on Sunday).
Who manages the Gowlin Forest Trail?
Carlow County Council. They are the authority on current conditions and closures, not this page.
More in Carlow
Trail data from the Sport Ireland National Trails Register, licensed under CC BY 4.0. Trailhead coordinates from the companion Trailheads dataset. Snapshot taken 2026-08-13.