A steep, wooded gorge near Ashford where the River Vartry tumbles over a waterfall, threaded by two waymarked forest loops and dotted with sculptures and carved poetry.
A 5km red-arrow loop (about 2 hours, moderate) that zigzags down into the narrow gorge and follows the River Vartry for roughly 2km before climbing back along the top of the valley. The second car park fills up fast at weekends, so arrive early.
The highlight of the walk, reached by a short climb to a small viewing platform. The falls mark where the Vartry enters the glen; before the Vartry Reservoir was built in the 1860s their roar echoed through the gorge, said to sound like a "Satanic power announcing some great doom", which gave the glen its name.
A 4km yellow-arrow loop (about 2 hours, moderate) through the high forest, named for the poet who rented a lodge on the old Glanmore estate here in the 1970s. Around the 3km mark the trees open onto countryside views from a rocky platform.
Coillte's Sculptures in Woodland project left art pieces and carvings along the trails, including Michael Quane's Chrysalis near the start, plus carved Seamus Heaney quotations to spot as you go.
The wood mixes beech, Spanish chestnut, ash and conifers and is home to deer, foxes and badgers. The steep rock face of the gorge carries lichens, mosses and polypody fern.
There is no cafe on site, so bring supplies and use the picnic site and benches at the main car park. Ashford village and Mount Usher Gardens are a short drive away for a proper meal.
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