Forest Walks

Courtown Woods offers some delightful walks for those who want to enjoy nature and appreciate peace and tranquility. There are many exciting and varied routes for you to discover. In recent years many of these walks have been restored to their natural beauty.
Walks worth doing include the River Walk and the Top Walk.

The River Walk is easily accessed from both the Picnic area and the Car Park in Courtown Village. . It is a delightful, quiet walk, with fine river views. However care is needed, particularly with children as there are steep steps and slopes beside the river.

The Top Walk can be accessed from the Picnic Area and overlooks the River Walk in Places. There is a short linking path to the Spike Bridge, which allows for crossing in the Coillte Wood on the north side of the river. (This wood is adjacent to the Courtown House site. The brick walls of the old kitchen garden are visible from here). The Top Walk is particularly magnificent in April as large drifts of bluebells carpet the woodland floor.

The old Gorey/Courtown road runs along the West End of the Woodland. This is also accessed from the Picnic Area. If you follow the sign for the High Cross of Kilbride, after 140 metres, the old Gorey Road, running at right angles, is signposted. It runs down to the river, to the site of the old Ballintray Bridge and the restored River Walk. The bridge which carries the main Gorey to Courtown road, spans a deep gorge, and is reputed to be one of the highest old stone-work bridges in the country. There is also an ancient seven-foot High cross standing in the woods beside the bridge.