A steep, wooded glen near Castleisland where three waymarked loops follow a river past the site of a Desmond castle. Free to visit, with picnic tables tucked among the trees.
The shortest and most popular route, a strenuous 3.7-4 km loop taking about 1 hour 20 minutes with 170 m of ascent, waymarked with a green arrow on a white background. It follows forest tracks, riverbank and open country past the site of a Desmond castle.
A 5 km loop of about 2 hours, also graded strenuous. The valley floor and hillside here were famously used by local mountain runner John Lenihan to train before he won the world mountain running title in 1991.
The longest option at 9 km and roughly 3 hours, strenuous. It links the different characters of the wood and rewards the extra effort with the widest views.
The pretty riparian zone along the Glanageenty river is an important wildlife corridor linking to the nearby bogs of Knockatarriv and Doolaig. Watch for ravens, hen harriers, kestrels, pheasants and wild goats sunning themselves in clearings.
Gerald, the last Earl of Desmond, was beheaded here in 1583 after months in hiding, and a plaque marks the spot. The loop also passes the site of Desmond Castle, the Ravens Glen waterfall and the ruins of Sean Thaigh Og's cabin.
Seats and picnic tables are dotted around the forest at good stopping points, and there are glorious vistas of Carrauntoohil, the Gap of Dunloe and Mount Brandon on clear days.
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