Check out our Knocknarea Hike Guide. We cover everything you need to know about climbing Knocknarea in Strandhill, County Sligo. This article covers – how to get there, what you’ll need to bring, and how long it will take.
Knocknarea is a prominent mountain in Strandhill in Sligo. It stands 327 meters tall and boasts impressive limestone cliffs that sweep steeply down towards Strandhill, the Atlantic Ocean, and the surrounding area.
Key Details
Location: Ireland, Strandhill, Sligo
Starting Point: Sligo Rugby Club Car Park (54.270454, -8.584667)
Finishing Point: Queen Maeve’s Cairn, Knocknarea Summit
Difficulty: Moderate
Duration: 2 Hours
Distance: 5.2 Km
Elevation: 318 Meters
Climbing Knocknarea Strandhill
Knocknarea is one of the most striking mountains along Ireland’s rugged coastline. It is a prominent landmark on the Coolera peninsula on Wild Atlantic Way. Standing tall and proud on the edge of Strandhill village it is also home to Queen Maeve’s grave – a Neolithic burial site dating back to 3,000 BCE.
If you are in the Sligo area, I highly recommend this hike. It offers spectacular views of Strandhill, the Atlantic Ocean, and the surrounding area. And, the hike itself combines green forest walks, hillside paths, and ancient Irish folklore. Aim for a dry and clear day to get the most of the panoramic views from the summit. You will not be disappointed.
What to Pack: Knocknarea Essential Gear
First up, what do you need to take with you? What’s the essential gear for a Knocnarea hike? We call this hike as moderate. It has a distance of 5.2 km and has several sections of steep climbs. The trail is a mix of steep steps, wooden walkways, trail paths, and gravel tracks. Here’s what you need to pack for the trip.
1: Small Backpack
2: Hiking Boots
3: Waterproof Jacket
4: Water
5: Small Snack
6: SPF (Sun Cream)
7: Sun Hat
8: Hiking Poles
9: Small Binoculars
10: First Aid Kit
Good Quality Boots & Raincoat
The most important thing to take is a pair of good quality hiking boots. These will protect your feet and ankles and provide good grip. Waterproof boots are the best choice, especially if there is rain or groundwater on the day. There’s nothing worse than hiking in wet socks.
And, a rain jacket is always a good choice, especially in Ireland. Just stuff it in your backpack with everything else. They take up very little room and they’re there when you need them. They’re also great for keeping you warm when you reach the summit. It can get pretty windy up there. You have been warned.
What to Expect: Steep Climbs
It’s a pretty steep climb, especially at the start and in the wooded area. There are easier sections along the way that give you time to recover. In total you’ll climb 318 meters to reach the summit. No mean feat. The graphic above gives an idea of what you can expect. There are a couple of rest areas along the way where you can stop and take the weight off your legs.
How to Get There
Knocknarea is on the Sligo coast, next to the small town of Strandhill. The best way to get there is by car. And, it’s super easy to find. Set your SatNav or Google Maps to Sligo Rugby Club. You can park up there and the trail begins, directly across the road.
Here’s the SatNav coordinates: 54.270454, -8.584667. If there’s a rugby game on, the car park will be closed. But this is not a problem, there’s plenty of car parking space available on either side of the rugby club along the roadside.
Starting Point: Sligo Rugby Club, Strandhill
Your starting point is directly across the road from the rugby club. You will see a wooden gate, a post with ‘Knocknarea’ written on it, and a ‘Queen Maeve Trail’ information poster. Your hike starts here. If you look straight ahead and slightly to the left you will see Knocknarea towering above you.
Take a moment, this is a nice photo opportunity before you begin climbing for real. It’s an impressive landmark, don’t let it phase you. This Knocknarea hike guide will get you there – one step at a time.
The Route: Steep Ascent
The hike begins as soon as you pass through this wooden gate. And, it challenges you right from the off. The initial part of the hike is a walkway through some fields that pushes directly towards Knocknarea. It’s steep and you’ll feel it in your legs.
Some of this initial phase has steps. Just take your time and pace yourself. If it makes you feel any better, this is one of the toughest parts of the whole climb. You’ll pass through another set of wooden gates at the halfway point in this initial stage.
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Forest Side Path Way
After approximately 1 kilometer you will reach a set of wooden gates, (see above). At this point, the trail sweeps to the right and follows a path along a wooded area. It is signposted as ‘Queen Maeve’s Cairn’. As you turn, the woods will be on your left side. This forest side path provides some respite. It is not as steep as the initial climb and allows you to recover before the trail turns and begins a steep climb once again.
Wooden Steps Through the Forest
The wooden steps begin as soon as you reach the end of the forest side trail. They turn left and guide you up a steep climb. The steps themselves are in great condition and provide excellent grip. They have been covered in metal impressions that help secure your footing and prevent slips.
The wooden steps twist and wind their way up the steep mountainside. They shade you from the heat of the day and create a magical feeling of being immersed in nature. There are two rest areas along this section. The first is a wooden bench and viewing area shortly after beginning your climb on the steps. And, there is a second near the mountain summit once you have completed the stepped section.
The Summit & Queen Maeve’s Cairn
The final resting area at the end of the forested area provides a stunning viewing platform. The panoramic vista delivers breathtaking views of Strandhill, Rosses Point, and the rugged Coolera peninsula. Get your camera out and capture some snaps. You’ll struggle to find a more beautiful setting on the Wild Atlantic Way.
From here, the climb becomes less challenging. You will follow a well-worn path to the summit of Knocknarea. There you will see Queen Maeve’s Cairn in the distance. This is a relatively flat trek. The hard work is now behind you. The cairn itself is an ancient burial site. It has a rich history in Irish folklore.
You are advised to refrain from climbing on the landmark. Signs along the perimeter instruct you to stay clear of the cairn itself. Instead, enjoy a lap of the ancient monument and drink in the rolling landscape and the sense of achievement of summiting Knocknarea.
The Descent
This is an up-and-back route. You will descend the same route you came up. So, you’ll be familiar with the path at this stage. Just retrace your steps and take your time. Parts of the return leg are pretty steep. A hiking pole will help you navigate the more challenging sections. They’re always a good idea on a hike like this.
In total, this hike took us about 2 hours. We clocked the climb at just over an hour, about 70 minutes. This included a couple of pit stops to drink water and take some photos. We then spent about 10 minutes enjoying the summit views and walking around the cairn.
The descent was much quicker. You should find it takes less than an hour. We did it in about 40 minutes. It was much easier on the legs. The main concern was navigating the steps safely and avoiding trips and falls. All-in-all you should be back at the starting point in about 2 hours.
Post Hike Refreshments
You have great options for post-hike refreshments once your trip is complete. You can either spin into Strandhill and enjoy one of the many sea-front cafés, ice-cream parlors, or bars. The Strand Bar is a popular choice. We chose to take the short journey into Sligo town. It takes less than 10 minutes to travel by car into the county town. Once there, you’ll be spoiled for choice.
Our favorite place to eat in Sligo is located right in the town center – Tuco’s. It’s a Mexican restaurant that specializes in fresh, delicious, and authentic cuisine. We highly recommend you try their burritos. A great choice for replacing some of those calories you burned on your Knocknarea adventure. That’s everything you need to know from a Knocknarea hike guide.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Rosa Montero
- B.S. Environmental Science
- Avid Explorer & Globe Trotter
Rosa is a graduate of the University of Arizona, where she delved into the world of green energy and environmental science. Originally from sunny Fresno, California, she moved to Arizona to study. Rosa is the proud owner of a vintage VW camper van. Her trusty companion on countless adventures.
She has a deep passion for clean energy and a love for protecting our planet. Rosa immerses herself in nature through long hikes in Arizona’s famous parks. Grand Canyon National Park and Sedona Red Rock Country are two of her favorites.
When not exploring on foot, she enjoys cycling. Rosa’s enthusiasm for fighting climate change and safeguarding Mother Earth shines through in her work for RV Solar Power Hub.