| Nature Walks in Wexford |
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 In Wexford we are very fortunate we have the option of sea, river, woodlands, hills and mountain walk ways. Here are some suggested walks in the Wexford area, if you have others that you enjoy, please let us know, and we'll add them!
Courtown Harbour, Beach & Woodland walksBeach walks at Courtown are plentiful. There is a small stony beach to the south of the harbour where the sailing club is, this is excellent for stone throwing and gathering shells. The beaches to the north of the harbour are better for rock climbing, sandcastles, kite flying and stretching legs. There are two access points with plenty of parking, as you reach the T-Junction go right for the harbour or left for the sandier beaches and alternative entrances to Courtown Woodlands. There are several walks available at Courtown Woods River Walk, Top Walk, Lime Walk and the Chestnut Walk. It is undergoing some development and restoration work. Recommended access is from the picnic area and car park to the left as you drive from Gorey. In Spring the air is filled with the smell of wild garlic and later replaced by enchanting carpets of bluebells. The River Walk is a lovely easy family walk, with fine Owenavorragh River views and plenty of opportunities to climb trees, balance on fallen trunks or gather sticks. However care is needed, particularly with children and dogs, there are steep steps and slopes beside the river. The main features of the woods are the marked trails, Courtown Canal, High Cross of Kilbride and the impressive Ballinatray Bridge spans a deep gorge, and is reputed to be one of the highest old stone-work bridges in the country. Alternatively if your kids are adventurous follow the directions to the Forest Park Leisure Centre and park in that huge car park, enjoy the excellent playground or promise it as a treat after the walk, admire the Michael Warren sculpture and the wind turbine walk towards them and take the path over the bridge, go left and follow the road down about half a mile. Take the first wooden sign posted trail to the left. This is a great area to explore and let children’s imagination run wild it seems to evoke creative play, in the middle we discovered a kind of an island that you can hop across to and explore. This area can be quiet mucky so wellies or old shoes are best. Mount Leinster *Road works on going in Bunclody till the June 2009. Alternative routes: From Gorey, take the Carnew road, R725 into Bunclody go right onto the main street. From Ferns, follow the R745 across the N80 and continue on the R745, turn left at the T-junction toward Kiltealy, at Cullentragh take the right on to the lesser road and follow it around Mount Leinster till you see the sign posts for the car parks (ensure you drive through Kilanne – if the kids are board stop at the graveyard here and try to find the monument to Captain John Kelly. Hint: it’s a celtic design cross) Wexford Coastline and Local BeachesWe have over 200km of beaches in Wexford no wonder everyone wants to come to the sunny south east! All the beaches offer great opportunities for family fun and outdoor pursuits. However some of the beaches are recommended for different things like a blue flag, amenities like toilets etc, some beaches are just amazing stretches of sand however stony beaches have a lot to offer also being places for rock pooling, skimming stones and in some cases rock climbing. So gather all the kids into the car and drive along the coast explore a beach you have never been to; it's so easy to go to the typical Blue Flag beaches but every beach in Wexford has something to offer.
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