Short family-friendly walks offer a great introduction to Connemara National Park. The Ellis Wood Nature Trail offers a relaxing 1km (30-minutes) stroll through the woods near the visitor center, past a stream, a little waterfall and wood-carvings of local wildlife. For a slightly more challenging walk, the Sruffaunboy Trail (yellow waymarks) climbs gently on broad gravel paths and provides great views over Ballynakill Harbor (1.8km, allow one hour); it’s wheelchair- and buggy-accessible.
Park rangers lead free guided walks from the Connemara National Park Visitor Centre (nationalparks.ie/connemara; free), housed in a historical building that dates from 1890 and once belonged to Letterfrack Industrial School. Pick up free trail maps here and check out the exhibits describing the peatland landscape and conservation projects. There’s a good cafe, as well as a playground and indoor and outdoor picnic facilities.
