Walking Holidays and Outdoor Adventures in Wild Nephin (Ballycroy) National Park

Remote Mountains, Bogs, and Ireland’s First Wilderness Area

Untamed landscapes in the heart of County Mayo.

Wild Nephin (Ballycroy) National Park, established in 1998, covers over 15,000 hectares in the rugged Nephin Beg mountain range in County Mayo. Part of the Wild Atlantic Way, it is Ireland’s first officially designated wilderness area, offering some of the most remote and unspoiled walking holidays and outdoor adventures in the country. The park is defined by vast blanket bogs, forested valleys, and wild uplands where few paths intrude, making it a true escape for those seeking solitude and raw landscapes.

Walking here ranges from short boardwalk loops at the Visitor Centre to multi-day treks across the Bangor Trail, one of Ireland’s most challenging and atmospheric routes. With its mix of rare habitats, rewilding projects, and dramatic views over Achill Island and Clew Bay, Wild Nephin offers a wilderness walking experience unlike anywhere else in Ireland.

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County: Mayo

Featured Trails

• Bangor Trail – A historic 40 km route through bog and mountain, linking Newport and Bangor Erris, known as one of Ireland’s toughest long-distance walks.
• Claggan Mountain Coastal Trail – A short boardwalk loop with views across tidal flats and out to Achill Island.
• Letterkeen Loops – Woodland and upland trails from the Nephin Forest Trailhead, ranging from moderate loops to more challenging circuits.
• Nephin Beg Mountain Routes – Rugged ascents into the park’s highlands, offering panoramic wilderness views.
• Owenduff Bog Walks – Explore the heart of the park’s protected peatland, home to rare plants and birdlife.

Adventure Highlights

• Ireland’s largest designated wilderness area
• The Bangor Trail — one of Ireland’s most challenging long-distance walks
• Vast blanket bogs, forests, and rewilded uplands
• Spectacular views over Achill Island and Clew Bay
• Red grouse, otters, and rare bird species in protected habitats
• Remote, little-visited trails for solitude seekers

Explore the Area

• Newport – gateway town to the Bangor Trail and Great Western Greenway
• Mulranny – coastal village linking the park with the Greenway and Achill Island
• Bangor Erris – northern trailhead of the Bangor Trail
• Ballina – market town with access to North Mayo’s walking routes
• Achill Island – nearby coastal destination with dramatic cliffs and beaches