Walk the Ravensdale Loop
The short, red-marked Ravensdale Loop is 1.3 km and moderate, threading through mainly commercial forest. It is the easiest introduction to the site.
Ravensdale Forest Recreation Area
4.7 (380)
About
A quiet Coillte woodland on the slopes of the Cooley Mountains, where waymarked trails climb to the 506m summit of Black Mountain past standing stones and old driving roads.
Things to Do
Follow the Táin Trail or Ring of Gullion way
Two longer waymarked routes enter the forest. The Táin Trail, named for the legendary Bull of Cooley, comes in near Curralhir Bridge and climbs over the mountains to Omeath on Carlingford Lough.
Find the standing stones and old features
The forest is rich in archaeology: standing stones sit just a short detour off the Ravensdale Loop, alongside old bridges and driving roads, with Clermont Cairn higher up.
Climb to the Black Mountain summit
Forest roads and tracks climb steeply to the 506m summit, where you get wide views over the surrounding countryside on a clear day.
Picnic at the trailhead
A picnic site sits by the car park at the start of the trails — a good base before or after a walk.
Plan Your Visit
- Hours: No fixed opening hours are published for Ravensdale; access is open. Coillte notes that some forests may have a posted closing time and asks visitors to vacate before dark.
- Admission: Free entry — no admission charge.
- Parking: Free car park at the trailhead. It is small and can fill quickly at busy times.
- Food: No café or shop on site, but there is a picnic site at the car park. Nearest refreshments are in Jonesborough and Dundalk; Lumpers Bar (about a 10-minute drive) and Fitzpatrick's (about 12 minutes) are popular post-walk stops.
Getting Around
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