G6234 : Maeve's Grave
Strenuous; steep paths and stepped boardwalk

Knocknarea [Cnoc na Riabh]

327m Elevation
306m Prominence
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G6234 : Maeve's Grave

Bob Embleton Photo source

Overview

Knocknarea is a prominent limestone hill on County Sligo's Coolera (Cúil Irra) Peninsula, west of Sligo town. Listed at 327m, it overlooks Strandhill and the surrounding bays. Queen Maeve's Cairn dominates the summit plateau: this is a protected prehistoric monument, and visitors must stay off it. The Queen Maeve Trail can be joined from Glen Road, Rathcarrick or the Strandhill road entrance.

Knocknarea [Cnoc na Riabh]

Hill and monument

Knocknarea is a limestone landmark west of Sligo on the Coolera (Cúil Irra) Peninsula. The catalogue records 327m and Marilyn status. Its recorded high-point feature lies on the ancient cairn; visitors should explore the surrounding plateau without climbing the monument.

Queen Maeve's Cairn is protected archaeology in OPW care. Its unexcavated interior is thought to conceal a Neolithic passage tomb. The Medb association belongs to legend. Do not climb it, disturb its stones or build new stone piles.

Complete return walks

  • Glen Road Queen Maeve loop: return to the main Knocknarea car park via the plateau, Strandhill-side boardwalk and northern woodland circuit. Sport Ireland lists 6.5km, 2 hours 30 minutes and a strenuous grade.
  • Glen Road direct return: ascend the stony path to the plateau beside the cairn, then retrace it to the same car park.
  • Rathcarrick circuit: from the forest car park, take the northern woodland and boardwalk ascent, then descend on the Glen Road side and use the southern forest connection to return to Rathcarrick. Coillte lists 6.5km.
  • Strandhill-road return: start at the signed R292 entrance near the rugby club, ascend via woodland and boardwalk, and retrace the route to that entrance. A seafront start adds a separate connection.

Access and care

Use the signed routes across the privately owned grazing land. Leave dogs at home for the summit outings. Follow barriers and current works notices; the trail authority advises a one-day maintenance closure each December. Timber steps and limestone can be slippery, and cloud or strong winds can make the exposed upper hill difficult. Winter flooding may affect the lower Glen Road path. Call 112 or 999 and ask for Mountain Rescue in an emergency.

Landscape and names

Fossil-bearing Dartry Limestone, chert and karst weathering explain the rocky ground. There are coastal views over Strandhill, Sligo Bay and nearby islands. The Irish form Cnoc na Riabh is glossed by Paul Tempan as “hill of the stripes”, but the ultimate etymology remains disputed.

Planning the visit

Glen Road and Rathcarrick have car parks. The R292 entrance is a different start. Bus Éireann S2 serves Strandhill and Sligo; plan the connection to the trail and the journey home. Strandhill has places to eat and drink. Carry the supplies and clothing needed for the whole return.

Explore routes near Knocknarea [Cnoc na Riabh]

Walks starting near this hill. Open a route to check its map, distance and full itinerary.

Florence Court: Riverside and Forest Circuit, County Fermanagh

7.2 km ~2h 30m Moderate

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Route planning notes

These notes describe possible approaches. Check a route's map and access information when planning your walk.

Queen Maeve Trail loop from Glen Road

Start and finish at the main Knocknarea car park off Glen Road (Sport Ireland grid G63695 33945). Climb the established stony path to the summit plateau and pass around Queen Maeve's Cairn without climbing it. Continue on the marked trail to the Strandhill-side boardwalk, then follow the northern woodland circuit and its signed connection back to the same car park. Sport Ireland publishes 6.5km and 2 hours 30 minutes for this strenuous loop. Follow the red waymarks and any temporary diversions; no dogs.

6.5 km ~2.5 hours Strenuous

Glen Road to summit plateau and back

From the main Knocknarea car park off Glen Road, follow the established direct path uphill to the summit plateau. The ascent becomes steeper and rockier above the gate. Stop beside Queen Maeve's Cairn and stay off the monument, then retrace the same path all the way to the Glen Road car park. This return does not include the northern woodland loop or the Strandhill boardwalk. Watch for slippery limestone and flooding around the lower seasonal lake; no dogs on the upper farmland.

Steep, uneven hill path

Rathcarrick Queen Maeve Trail loop

Begin and end at Rathcarrick forest car park on the L3503. Follow the Queen Maeve Trail through the northern woodland towards the Strandhill side, ascend the stepped boardwalk to the open hill, and continue to the plateau beside Queen Maeve's Cairn. Keep off the cairn. Descend on the Glen Road side, taking the signed southern forest connection back to Rathcarrick. Coillte publishes 6.5km for this complete circuit. Do not follow the separate short woodland loop expecting to reach the summit; no dogs on the complete hill circuit.

6.5 km Strenuous

Strandhill R292 entrance to summit plateau and back

Start at the signed Queen Maeve Trail entrance on the R292 near Sligo Rugby Club, rather than at the seafront. Follow the access path into the northern woodland, then the steep stepped boardwalk and upper mountain path to the plateau beside Queen Maeve's Cairn. Do not climb the cairn. Return down the same boardwalk and access path to the same R292 entrance. Take care on wet timber and when crossing the road; village or seafront connections are additional to this outing. No dogs on the upper farmland.

Strenuous
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Hill facts and local notes

Classifications

Marilyn

Elevation

327m

1,073 ft

Prominence

306m

Coordinates

54.2587, -8.5745

G626345

OS Map

16 25

At the Summit

Queen Maeve's Cairn, also called Miosgán Méabha, is a protected prehistoric monument on the summit plateau. DoBIH describes its recorded high point as a cairn on the huge ancient cairn; this does not authorise climbing it. Visit the surrounding plateau and walk around the monument's base. Do not climb the cairn or remove or rearrange its stones.

Terrain & Geology

Steep stony mountain paths exposed limestone and grass gravel woodland tracks timber and gravel steps elevated stepped boardwalk

Knocknarea is formed from Carboniferous Dartry Limestone, containing chert nodules and marine fossils including corals, brachiopods and crinoids. Glacial and karstic erosion helped isolate the hill. Weathering of bedding planes and fractures produces natural limestone steps, while frost-weathering features survive on the mountain.

Views & Scenery

Views include Strandhill, Sligo Bay, Coney Island and Rosses Point, with Ballysadare Bay and the Ox Mountains on the southern side. In clear conditions the distant Donegal coast and Sliabh Liag can also be seen.

History & Heritage

Name Origin

The Irish form is Cnoc na Riabh. Paul Tempan glosses it as “hill of the stripes” but treats the name’s ultimate origin as disputed. “Hill of the kings” is one historical proposal, not an established translation. Logainm records Cnoc na Riabh as a non-validated name.

Historical Significance

The summit cairn belongs to Knocknarea's Neolithic passage-tomb landscape and is a state-owned National Monument in the care of the Office of Public Works. Its unexcavated interior is thought to contain a passage tomb. The association with Medb (Maeve), the legendary queen of Connacht, is folklore rather than proof of an individual burial. Knocknarea, Carrowmore and Carns Hill form part of the wider prehistoric landscape of Cúil Irra.

Getting There & Facilities

Parking

Use the main Knocknarea car park off Glen Road (L3507), or Rathcarrick forest car park on the L3503. Sligo Walks recommends the larger Glen Road car park. The third walking entrance is on the R292 near Sligo Rugby Club; follow local parking signs and keep entrances clear.

Public Transport

Bus Éireann route S2 links Sligo with Strandhill. Check the operator’s current timetable and TFI journey planner, then plan the walk to the R292 trail entrance separately. The Glen Road and Rathcarrick car parks are different trailheads; arrange onward transport if using them.

Nearby Facilities

Coillte lists a car park and walking trails at Rathcarrick. Strandhill has cafés, pubs and restaurants. Carry water, food and suitable clothing for the complete return walk.

Safety Information

Known Hazards

  • Steep uneven rock, steps and wet timber boardwalk can be slippery. Wear footwear with good grip.
  • The exposed upper hill can be affected by strong winds and rapidly reduced visibility. Keep to the designated trail and turn back if conditions deteriorate.
  • Queen Maeve’s Cairn is fragile archaeology. Stay off the monument and leave its stones undisturbed.
  • The summit routes cross private grazing land by permission. Do not bring dogs on the complete hill walk; the registered loop prohibits them and the upper farmland is restricted.
  • Obey temporary barriers and maintenance signs. In an emergency call 112 or 999 and ask for Mountain Rescue.

Seasonal Hazards

Winter groundwater rise can flood the lower part of the Glen Road summit path at the seasonal lake (turlough). Do not wade through flooded ground or improvise a route across private land. Sligo Walks also advises that the trail closes for one day each December for maintenance; check its current notice before travelling.

General Safety Tips

  • Check weather conditions before setting out
  • Carry appropriate clothing and equipment
  • Let someone know your planned route
  • Take a map, compass, and GPS device
  • Carry emergency supplies: food, water, first aid kit, torch

Hills

Some common questions about the hills answered

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Location

Knocknarea [Cnoc na Riabh] location map

Grid reference: G626345

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