Clonbur: Forest Trails, Lakes and Local History

An Fhairche, known in English as Clonbur, is a Gaeltacht village in County Galway. It lies between Lough Corrib and Lough Mask at the foot of Binn Shléibhe, also known as Mount Gable. For a stay focused on walking, the area can be understood through its different types of trails: from a flat circular route through the woods to longer routes and guided Geopark hikes. Geology and local history offer additional topics to explore.

Woodland and limestone

The Clonbur Wood Loop Trail passes through mixed woodland and along the southern shore of Lough Mask. The trees include beech, ash, hazel, birch, willow, yew, Scots pine and larch. The Clonbur Limestone Pavement can also be seen along the trail through Clonbur Woods. The limestone pavement contains fossil evidence of past biodiversity, offering a geological perspective on the landscape.

Clonbur Woods provide a habitat for numerous bird species, pine martens, red squirrels and invertebrates. There is also a wide variety of plant species. Along with the mixed woodland and its tree species, the range of habitats also shapes the area's natural character.

Walking trails and guided tours

The Clonbur Walking Trails comprise four loop trails and one linear trail: the Big Island Loop, White Island Loop, Ballykine Loop and Village Loop are the four designated loops; the Clonbur to Cong Walk is the linear trail.

The Clonbur Wood Loop Trail is an easy, flat 7.4-kilometre loop, which takes about two and a half hours. The Seanbhóthar Walking Trail runs for 10 kilometres from Cornamóna to Clonbur (An Fhairche); the stated walking time for this route is also about two and a half hours. The Seanbhóthar runs along the side of Binn Shléibhe, or Mount Gable, and offers views of Lough Corrib. The two trails can be compared by length and route type: the Wood Loop is a flat loop, while the Seanbhóthar is a longer linear route; both are listed as taking around two and a half hours.

Geopark Tours Clonbur offers guided hikes in the UNESCO Joyce Country & Western Lakes Geopark. The hikes start in the village, and group sizes are kept small. A local guide leads the tours and has extensive knowledge of the region's geology, history and folklore.

Mount Gable lies two kilometres west of An Fhairche. The Mount Gable Walk is generally considered easy, but has steep climbs at both ends. The ascent offers views of nearby lakes and the Connemara mountains.

Local history and historic traces

The ruins of the Petersburgh Estate are located in An Fhairche. The estate once belonged to the Lynch family and later to the Guinness family. Part of the property was transferred to the state and is now an outdoor education centre.

Several old ruins along the Mount Gable Walk are the remains of a former village dating from the time of the Great Famine. The remains of Ballykine Castle, a 13th-century fortress, are also located near the Clonbur Wood Loop Trail. They lie between Lough Corrib and Lough Mask.

Discover more destinations: Tuam, Carraroe, Tully Cross, Spiddal, Ballinasloe, Kinvarra, Barna, Kylemore

For the broader travel overview: Galway.