Lough Avalla lakeshore
The trail skirts the quiet lake where the farm's goats and cattle graze, and there is a small dock on the shore.
Lough Avalla Farm
4.9 (128)
See all
See all
About
A 5.2km waymarked loop across the Jeuken family's working Burren farm, finishing at a tiny tea house where walkers are met with tea and homemade apple tart.
Things to Do
Walk the Lough Avalla Farm Loop
A 5.2km loop from the Gortlecka Crossroads lay-by, graded moderate with 140m of climb and taking about 2 to 2.5 hours. It is waymarked with purple arrows and standing-stone slabs; walk it clockwise so the tea house lands at the end.
Meet the farm animals
This is an active, biodynamic farm, not a manicured park. White-belted Galloway cattle, goats, sheep and donkeys graze the limestone, and hazel gates and stiles mark the field boundaries.
Holy well and fairy ring
In the mossy hazel wood you will find a stone-lined holy well, with glass mugs hung from a branch for drinking. Just beyond the trailhead gate a short path leads to a green-mossed fairy ring or fort.
Stone cairn, cliffs and viewpoints
The high point is a stone cairn with wide views over the karst towards Lough Gealain, Mullaghmore and the Slieve Bernagh hills. Watch for standing stones, a burial cairn and a mass rock along the way.
Tea at the Lough Avalla tea house
The path finishes at the Jeukens' homestead tea house, where tea, coffee and home baking (apple tart with cream, brownies, scones) are offered for a donation of around €5 to €10. Harry often comes out to chat and may show you the kitchen garden.
Buy Burren goat's cheese
The family makes hard goat's cheese with a natural rind from the goats' Burren scrubland diet, sold from the farm as True Burren Goats Cheese.
Plan Your Visit
- Hours: The trail is open 365 days a year, any time of day. The tea house is seasonal, typically serving on summer weekends when the family is at the homestead.
- Admission: Free to walk; the tea house runs on donations
- Parking: Free parking in the lay-by at Gortlecka Crossroads, the trailhead. A free shuttle also runs from the Corofin genealogical centre to the crossroads.
- Food: The Lough Avalla tea house at the Jeukens' homestead serves tea, coffee and home baking (apple tart with cream, brownies, scones) on a donation basis, roughly €5–€10 a head. True Burren goat's cheese is also sold there.
Watch More
See it on the map
Load the interactive map to explore this place location.
