Overview
This walk begins by winding its way up through the beautiful broadleaved forest of the Ravensdale woods. These lanes and tracks are remnants of the private playground of the largest landowner in all of County Louth,Lord Clermont.As landlords they owned over 20,000 acres at a time when the average Irish tenant farmer subsisted with a family on less than 5 acres and many with a lot less !
Winding forest tracks lead upwards towards open mountain and an old turf road.On a good day this is one of the best viewpoints back west into the unique geological formation that is The Ring of Gullion.
The open mountain now follows the line of the route were the famous ‘Poc fada’ hurling competition takes place every year.The winner is the person who can cover the distance with the least number of ‘pocs’ or strikes of the ball, all in homage of the young boy ,Setanta,who went on to become Ulsters greatest Celtic warrior,Cu Chulainn.
A fine hethery ridge walk reaches the high point of Carn na Mhadaigh .
Lovely coniferous forest tracks wind us back down the mountain and like most best walks finish at a good Irish country pub!
