Lough Carra, a region in County Mayo, Ireland, is defined by its distinctive natural features, centered around Ireland's largest marl lake. Characterized by exceptionally clear, turquoise waters and a unique calcareous environment, Lough Carra offers a diverse landscape of limestone and wetland habitats. This area provides a compelling setting for outdoor activities, supporting several sports like road cycling, hiking, touring cycling, and jogging. Its rich biodiversity and varied terrain make Lough Carra a notable destination for those seeking active engagement…
42
Routes
4.7
(9)
Average rating
234
People visited

4.0
(2)
13
hikers
3.03km
00:48
30m
30m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

1
hikers
8.30km
02:08
40m
30m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
6
hikers
7.32km
01:57
80m
80m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

8
hikers
2.30km
00:37
30m
30m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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1
riders
77.4km
04:31
410m
410m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

97.5km
05:40
400m
400m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

2
riders
32.9km
01:52
130m
130m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

1
riders
55.7km
03:29
570m
570m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4
riders
45.1km
01:46
160m
160m
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5.0
(1)
17
riders
103km
04:21
600m
600m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

12
riders
56.7km
02:42
560m
560m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

13
riders
73.1km
02:57
350m
350m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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5
runners
5.04km
00:31
20m
20m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4
runners
5.75km
00:36
20m
20m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

3
runners
6.20km
00:38
20m
20m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4
runners
5.02km
00:31
20m
20m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Lough Carra offers opportunities for Road cycling, Hiking, Touring cycling, and Jogging. The region features 3 routes with an average rating of 4.68 stars from more than 800 visitors. These activities allow exploration of the unique marl lake and surrounding landscapes.
Road cycling routes vary in length and difficulty. Examples include the moderate "Saleen Lough – Turloughaganny loop from Ballintober," which is approximately 30 miles (48.3 km), and the easier "Ballinrobe to Shrule Castle and Ballisnahyny Castle loop," about 28 miles (45.1 km). More options are available in the Road Cycling Routes around Lough Carra guide.
Lough Carra offers several hiking trails. The Moore Hall loop is an easy 1.4-mile (2.3 km) trail. Other options include the moderate 5.2-mile (8.3 km) Clogher Bog Loop and the 3.3-mile (5.3 km) Fortlawn Ringfort loop. Further details can be found in the Hiking around Lough Carra guide.
Yes, the Moore Hall area provides a pleasant and child-friendly environment for walking. The easy Moore Hall loop is suitable for families. Additional family-friendly options are listed in the Family-friendly hikes around Lough Carra guide.
Lough Carra is known for its clear, turquoise marl lake, which is Ireland's largest. Historical sites include the ruined Moore Hall and the Moore family tomb at Kiltoom. Medieval crannogs are also visible in the lake, reflecting its rich history and ecological importance.
Lough Carra is Ireland's largest marl lake, a rare habitat supporting a distinctive ecological community. It is a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and Special Protection Area (SPA), featuring rich biodiversity including limestone pavements, orchid-rich grasslands, and diverse wildlife. Over 140 bird species have been recorded in the area.
Komoot offers several guides for Lough Carra, including Road Cycling Routes around Lough Carra, Hiking around Lough Carra, and Running Trails around Lough Carra. There are also guides for Easy hikes around Lough Carra and Traffic-free bike rides around Lough Carra.
Yes, County Mayo's road network, including areas around Lough Carra, offers secondary roads suitable for cyclists of various abilities. The "Ballinrobe to Shrule Castle and Ballisnahyny Castle loop" is an example of an easier route, approximately 28 miles (45.1 km) long.
Information regarding the conservation and ecology of Lough Carra can be found through the Lough Carra Catchment Association (LCCA) and the Lough Carra LIFE Project. These organizations focus on the lake's conservation, restoration, and sustainable management.
Lough Carra has more than 800 visitors who have shared their experiences on komoot. The available routes have an average rating of 4.68 out of 5 stars, indicating a high level of satisfaction among users.
County Mayo provides a cycle-friendly road network suitable for touring cyclists. Routes around Lough Carra allow discovery of varied landscapes and historical sites. The Cycling around Lough Carra guide offers more information on touring options.

