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Letterkeen Loop
Newport, Co. Mayo
Hidden gem
Free to visit
Free car parking
Immerse yourself in the rugged beauty of Wild Nephin Ballycroy National Park, County Mayo on this breathtaking 10.1 km loop. Secluded and idyllic, this trail boasts some of the Wild Atlantic Way’s most majestic mountain scenery.

One of a number of trails within Wild Nephin Ballycroy National Park’s expanse of landscape, the Letterkeen Loop is graded strenuous and takes 3 hours 30 minutes to complete.

This picturesque trail covers riverbank, footbridges, tracks, forestry roads, bogland and open mountain slopes.

Starting at the Brogan Carroll Bothy car park, the loop travels clockwise and involves some steep ascents and descents as well as rough ground. Its highpoint of 350 m showcases stunning mountain vistas before descending to cross a pass into the pastoral Nephin Beg Mountains’ lowlands.

Wild Nephin Ballycroy National Park Visitor Centre’s café, Ginger & Wild, is sure to have just what you’re looking for after this 3 hours 30 minutes. Lively Newport also boasts plenty of welcoming pubs and restaurants too.

Trail details

Type:
Walking Trail
Location:
Letterkeen Loops
Grade:
Strenuous
Format:
Loop
Length:
10.10km
Ascent:
350m
Dogs allowed:
Yes
    Time:3 hours 30 minutes
    Nearest town start:Newport
    Nearest town finish:Newport
    Start point:Brogan Carroll Bothy
    Finish point:Brogan Carroll Bothy
    Waymarking:Purple arrow
Why we like it
  • In addition to incredible mountain vistas, this trail also takes you along the babbling Altaconey River.
  • You'll find a carpark, picnic benches and an open bothy at the loop’s trailhead.
Contact details
Letterkeen, Co. Mayo, Ireland
Leave no trace
  • Plan ahead and prepare
  • Be considerate of others
  • Respect farm animals and wildlife
  • Travel and camp responsibly
  • Leave what you find
  • Dispose of waste properly
  • Protect nature from fire
More to discover at this venue
The great outdoorsClaggan

This point in Claggan in north-west County Mayo offers panoramic views over Ballycroy National Park, south towards Claggan Mountain, and west, across the inlet, to Achill Island.

Free things to doLough Avoher Loop

The north of County Mayo offers remoteness and seclusion in abundance. This looped walk starts from the Brogan Carroll Bothy (a basic shelter for walkers) in Letterkeen Woods - 12km from the nearest town of Newport, with the bare summits of the Nephin Beg Mountain range in the distance and the spuming Altaconey River closeby. Please refer to 78a-Bothy loop for further information on the area.

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