Laois, a region in the heart of Ireland, offers a diverse landscape for outdoor pursuits. Its central location features the ancient Slieve Bloom Mountains, providing varied terrain from dense forests and rolling hills to unique blanket bogs and wooded valleys. The River Barrow also flows through eastern Laois, contributing picturesque waterside trails. This varied environment supports several sports like hiking, road cycling, touring cycling, mountain biking, and more.
Laois provides a wide array of outdoor…
130
Routes
4.5
(152)
Average rating
1994
People visited

4.7
(29)
117
hikers
8.81km
02:32
220m
220m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.0
(6)
35
hikers
4.99km
01:25
110m
110m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.8
(5)
14
hikers
9.07km
02:30
150m
160m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

3.0
(1)
18
hikers
6.32km
01:42
80m
80m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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1
riders
39.6km
03:45
650m
650m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4
riders
56.5km
04:42
1,140m
1,140m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(2)
12
riders
30.0km
02:11
560m
560m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4
riders
10.6km
00:49
220m
220m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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1
riders
40.7km
03:59
100m
100m
Hard bike ride. Good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.

90.4km
05:25
510m
510m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

66.8km
04:12
210m
210m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

64.0km
03:46
300m
300m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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1
riders
43.2km
02:04
610m
610m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

3
riders
120km
05:28
1,150m
1,150m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

1
riders
61.0km
02:35
240m
240m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

56.4km
02:37
410m
410m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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3.0
(1)
1
riders
66.4km
03:58
260m
260m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.8
(18)
188
riders
28.6km
02:51
630m
630m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(5)
72
riders
22.2km
02:08
490m
490m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(3)
33
riders
24.4km
02:31
580m
580m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(1)
33
runners
5.75km
00:36
20m
20m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

25
runners
6.25km
00:48
120m
120m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

13
runners
5.10km
00:31
10m
10m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
14
runners
8.03km
00:56
10m
10m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Laois offers diverse outdoor activities including Hiking, Road cycling, Touring cycling, Mountain biking, Jogging, and Gravel biking. The region features more than 300 routes, with an average rating of 4.53 stars from nearly 10,000 visitors.
The Slieve Bloom Mountains offer numerous hiking trails, including the Glenbarrow Waterfall Walk and the Ridge of Capard Boardwalk. For more options, refer to the Hiking in Laois guide.
Yes, Laois provides several routes suitable for families, often featuring gentle terrain and scenic points of interest. Specific options can be found in the Family-friendly hikes in Laois guide.
Laois caters to various cycling disciplines, including Road cycling, Touring cycling, and Mountain biking. The River Barrow offers picturesque routes, while the Slieve Bloom Mountains feature purpose-built mountain bike trails. Guides like Road Cycling Routes in Laois and Cycling in Laois provide detailed information.
Laois offers a selection of easy hiking trails suitable for beginners or those seeking a relaxed walk. These routes often feature less elevation gain and well-maintained paths. Consult the Easy hikes in Laois guide for specific recommendations.
Trails in Laois lead to various natural features and historical sites. Highlights include the ancient Slieve Bloom Mountains, the impressive Glenbarrow Falls, the ecologically significant Abbeyleix Bog, and historical sites like the Rock of Dunamase offering panoramic views.
Some hiking trails in Laois are accessible via public transport, particularly bus services. For routes starting near bus stations, refer to the Hikes from bus stations in Laois guide.
Laois is a popular destination on komoot, with nearly 10,000 visitors having explored its more than 300 routes. These routes have received an average rating of 4.53 out of 5 stars.
Komoot offers several guides for Laois, including Hiking in Laois, Road Cycling Routes in Laois, Family-friendly hikes in Laois, and MTB Trails in Laois.
Official tourism information for Laois can be found on the Laois County Council website at laois.ie. Inquiries can also be directed to info@laoistourism.ie or by phone at 085 849 8383.
Yes, Laois features the Slieve Bloom Mountain Bike Trail, a purpose-built network within the Slieve Bloom Mountains. These trails offer various grades (blue, red, and black) to suit different skill levels. More details are available in the MTB Trails in Laois guide.
Laois is home to the Glenbarrow Falls, a three-tiered waterfall located within the Slieve Bloom Mountains, accessible via hiking trails. The Waterfall hikes in Laois guide provides routes to this and other potential waterfall locations.
For longer hiking experiences, the Slieve Bloom Way is a notable option in Laois. This extensive route traverses the ancient Slieve Bloom Mountains, offering varied terrain and scenic views over significant distances.

