Top 8 Lakes in Sligo

Sligo's lakes offer a wide range of activities. At Lough Gill, you can enjoy swimming, paddling, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), sailing, and waterskiing. Hiking trails are also abundant, such as the easy Hazelwood trail or the more strenuous 3 km Slish Wood track. Lough Arrow is renowned for trout fishing, but also offers rowing, kayaking, open water swimming, sailing, and SUP. Lough Gara provides unique country pursuits like horse riding, falconry, archery, clay shooting, and boating, along with bogland trails for walking and cycling. For more general outdoor activities, you can explore running trails, cycling routes, and MTB trails throughout Sligo.

Yes, several lakes in Sligo are great for families. Lough Gill features multi-access paths at Hazelwood, suitable for all ages and abilities, along with picnic facilities. Lake cruises on the "Rose of Innisfree" offer guided tours with live commentary. Lough Talt has a Lakeside Loop Trail that is accessible, even for buggies or wheelchairs with some effort, and includes information tables and a picnic spot. Lough Gara is particularly excellent for families, offering a variety of country pursuits through centers like Lough Gara Country Pursuits, including horse riding, falconry, and assault courses.

Many of Sligo's lakes are surrounded by excellent walking and hiking opportunities. Around Lough Gill, you'll find trails in Hazelwood, Dooney Rock, and Slish Wood. The Slishwood Forest offers well-paved paths with wonderful lake views. Lough Talt boasts the scenic Lakeside Loop Trail and, for more challenging hikes, Eagle's Nest Peak provides panoramic views. The Sligo Way, an 80 km trail, also starts at Lough Talt. Near Lough Arrow, you can explore sections of the Miners Way and Historical Trail. Bogland trails are also available around Lough Gara, ranging from 2.4 km to 11 km.

Yes, wild swimming is possible in some of Sligo's lakes. Lough Gill offers public access for swimming and paddling at locations such as Inishfree Pier, Shriff Bay, and Hazelwood Bay. However, caution is advised due to cold water and potentially rocky lakebeds. Open water swimming is also enjoyed at Lough Arrow.

Sligo's lakes are rich in history and culture. Lough Gill is famous for its literary connections, particularly to William Butler Yeats and the Isle of Innisfree. Cruises on the "Rose of Innisfree" often include poetry recitals. The area around Lough Arrow is particularly rich in historical sites, including the Carrowkeel Megalithic Cemetery in the Bricklieve Mountains, Moytirra East Court Tomb, and the 5,000-year-old Heapstown Cairn.

Fishing is a very popular activity in Sligo's lakes. Lough Arrow is particularly famous as one of Ireland's best brown trout fisheries, with the angling season running from April 1st to September 31st. May is a popular month during the Mayfly hatch. Pike are also present. Lough Talt is home to brown trout and Arctic charr. Lough Gara offers fishing for species like pike, rudd, roach, tench, and bream. Easky Lough is also known for being abundant in salmon and trout.

Yes, there are accessible options. At Lough Gill, Hazelwood features multi-access paths suitable for all ages and abilities. The Lakeside Loop Trail around Lough Talt is also accessible, even for buggies or wheelchairs with some effort, and includes information tables and a picnic spot.

Sligo's lakes are home to diverse wildlife. Lough Gill is a protected site supporting species like lamprey, Atlantic salmon, and otters. Lough Arrow is a designated Special Area of Conservation, supporting a significant population of wintering waterfowl, breeding Great Crested Grebe, Tufted Duck, and otters. Lough Talt is home to wild ducks, swans, dippers, brown trout, white-clawed crayfish, Arctic charr, and otters.

The best time to visit Sligo's lakes largely depends on your preferred activities. For fishing, especially brown trout, May is a popular month at Lough Arrow during the Mayfly hatch. Generally, the warmer months from spring to early autumn offer the most pleasant conditions for outdoor activities like hiking, swimming, and boating. However, the natural beauty of the lakes, such as the moss-covered oaks and holly trees in Slishwood Forest, can be enjoyed year-round.

While many of Sligo's lakes are well-known, Lough Talt is often considered one of Sligo's best-kept secrets. Nestled at the foot of the Ox Mountains, it offers serene natural beauty and excellent opportunities for walking and fishing in a less crowded environment, making it a tranquil escape.

Sligo's lakes offer several stunning viewpoints. From View of Hazelwood and Lough Gill from the Sligo Way, you can enjoy gorgeous views over Lough Gill towards Hazelwood. For a more challenging ascent, View of Lough Gill from Killerry Mountain provides expansive vistas. At Lough Talt, Eagle's Nest Peak offers panoramic views of the region.