Letterkeen loop in Wild Nephin

The loop goes clockwise, as waymarked. From the car park by the Brogan Carroll Bothy, an open shelter on the Bangor Trail, cross the footbridge and follow the path west up the river valley. Climb north-west through the trees onto open moor, swing north-east over the high ground, looking over the Nephin Beg range, and drop east to the forest road, which leads south to the bothy.

It is 10 km round with 290 m of ascent; allow about 3½ hours. The grade is Moderate: steep climbs and descents on narrow, wet paths, then a forest road.

The trail is in Wild Nephin National Park, run by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS). Keep dogs on a lead. Expect bog, mud, fallen trees and burnt ground from the April 2025 fire, and weak phone signal. The park closes to all visitors in Orange or Red weather or fire-risk warnings. NPWS lists the loop as open, but its April 2025 wildfire alert closing it is still online: check with the park first.

The free car park (about 40 cars) is at the end of a minor road off the N59, 14 km north of Newport. There is no bus except a free summer park shuttle (2026: 2 June to the end of August, Tuesday to Saturday) to Srahrevagh car park, 15 minutes' walk away.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.