The Laois Walks Festival got underway over the weekend with walks in Emo, Stradbally and Clonaslee.
And while Monday is a day off throughout the month-long festival, it resumes again on Tuesday evening in Ballinakill with walks in Durrow, Abbeyleix, Portlaoise, the Rock of Dunamase and Portarlington over the next week.
See the full schedule below for the week ahead.
A Grade C walk is deemed moderate; a Grade B walk is difficult and a Grade C walk is strenuous.
Registration takes place half an hour prior to each walk starting and walkers are encouraged to wear comfortable walking boots and to bring raingear and sufficient food and drink for the duration of the walk.
There is a cost of €2 per walk but you can buy a Festival Ticket for €25 which does the entire month.
TUESDAY, JULY 4
Ballinakill Family Walk
This walk starts from the historic gardens and skirts the Masslough, passing the Heywood Estate.
Meet: Historic Heywood Demesne entrance carpark
Time: 7.30pm
Distance: 5km
Difficulty: Grade C
WEDNESDAY, JULY 5
Capponellan Woods, Durrow
Woodland walk through part of the Castle Durrow estate once owned by Lord Ashbrooke.
Meet: Capponellan Woods, Durrow
Time: 7.30pm
Distance: 10km
Difficulty: Grade B
THURSDAY, JULY 6
Abbeyleix, Killamuck Bog Family Walk
This Failte Ireland-approved loop features old bog tracks and peaceful wooded lanes.
Meet: Carpark of Abbeyleix Manor Hotel
Time: 7.30pm
Distance: 8km
Difficulty: Grade B
FRIDAY, JULY 7
Portlaoise Family Friday Walk
A gentle stroll around the streets of Portlaoise, suitable for buggies and wheelchairs.
Meet: Council Offices
Time: 7.30pm
Distance: 5km
Difficulty: Grade C
SATURDAY, JULY 8
Rock of Dunamase/Dysart Woods, Portlaoise
Take in the wonderful views from the Rock of Dunamase and stroll along the woodland paths of Dysart Wood.
Meet: Dysart Wood carpark
Time: 2.30pm
Distance: 10km
Difficulty: Grade B
SUNDAY, JULY 9
Portarlington
This Derryounce walk is a community-owned walk around the picturesque Derryounce Lakes.
Meet: The Hawthorn Inn Carpark
Time: 2.30pm
Distance: 12km
Difficulty: Grade A
SEE ALSO – Check out the full schedule of events in the Laois Walks Festival
