Line © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), checked by Global Adventurer.
The walk
From the forest-park car park, climb Slí an Easa (the waterfall way) up the north side of the stream past small cascades to a viewpoint, then come down the south side to the car park. A short way up the forest road, Slí na Sléibhe (the mountain way) climbs west out of the trees onto the open hillside above the corrie lake and its island oratory, then drops to the head of the valley near the source of the River Lee. Return east on Slí na Laoi (the Lee way) beside the young river. The walk is a figure of eight.
It is 5.4 km round with 232 m of ascent; allow about 2 hours. The grade is Moderate: short, but the paths are steep, rocky and often wet, with stream crossings. Coillte grades both trails strenuous.
Gougane Barra, Ireland's first forest park, belongs to Coillte and is open to walkers; dogs are allowed on a lead. Slí na Sléibhe is open and exposed. Short stretches are on the forest road, so watch for cars. Tree clearance and maintenance closed parts of the trails early in 2026; Coillte lists no closure now.
Driving in costs €5 per car, by debit or credit card only, or with a Coillte annual pass; the money goes to trail upkeep. We found no public transport; Ballingeary is the nearest village.
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.
Good to know
- Gougane Barra is a corrie lake in the Shehy Mountains where the River Lee rises; the forest park was the first in Ireland.
- St Finbarr, founder of Cork, is said to have had a hermitage here; a small oratory now stands on the island in the lake.
- The trails have Irish names: Slí an Easa is the waterfall way, Slí na Sléibhe the mountain way and Slí na Laoi the Lee way.
- A one-way scenic drive loops through the forest park from the lake to the valley head.
Getting there
Start: Gougane Barra Forest Park car park · Pay and display. 51.83079, -9.33175
Directions to the start
Paths change, and the weather decides the day. The line and figures come from OpenStreetMap and our own checks; take a map, check the forecast, and turn back if it isn't right.