Winter brings a quieter beauty to the Boyne Valley. Woodlands fall still, waterways mirror pale skies, and ancient monuments take on a calm presence. Christmas is a wonderful time to wrap up warm, gather family or friends, and explore trails that weave together nature and history. Here are ten walks across the Boyne Valley that make ideal winter outings.
Balrath Wood
Just off the N2 near Kentstown, Balrath Wood is a peaceful mix of broadleaf and conifer. The woodland has three marked routes to suit every pace. The Long Walk circles the perimeter. The Nature Walk is shorter and serves as an outdoor classroom with numbered information posts. The Easy Walk follows a smooth tarmac route suitable for wheelchairs and buggies. Families will enjoy the accessible play trail with a swing for children with disabilities, play ponies and a climbing web. Managed by The Tree Council of Ireland and Meath County Council, Balrath combines quiet paths with a sense of Ireland’s woodland heritage.
Boyne Greenway
Starting at Dominic’s Park in Drogheda, the Boyne Greenway is a gentle 4.5 kilometre riverside route to the Battle of the Boyne Visitor Centre at Oldbridge. Boardwalks, heritage signs and views across the Boyne make this an ideal winter stroll. The route is family friendly and there are self-guiding walks through the Oldbridge parkland. Plans to extend the Greenway promise even more links to the valley’s major sites in the future.
Boyne Ramparts Walk
The Boyne Ramparts Walk follows the old canal towpath between Stackallen and Navan, an eight kilometre section one way. Winter walkers often spot kingfishers, herons and, at quieter times, the elusive otter. The route passes Babe’s Bridge, the ruins of Dunmoe Castle and Ardmulchan Church, with interpretative panels that bring the valley’s long history to life. Begin at either Navan or Broadboyne Bridge and retrace your steps to complete the return journey.
Boyne Valley Camino
This twenty five kilometre loop, the Boyne Valley Camino, begins at St Peter’s Church in Drogheda and blends riverside greenway, woodland paths, quiet country lanes and canal towpaths. The Camino calls at Old Mellifont Abbey, a superb stop for a mid-walk picnic and a taste of twelfth century monastic life. The route passes through Townley Hall Woods and finishes along boardwalk and ramparts beside the Boyne back into Drogheda. Walkers can collect artist-designed stamps in official Camino Passports and continue the Celtic Camino in Galicia to meet the 100 kilometre requirement for a Compostela.
Boyne Valley to Lakelands Greenway
Following the old railway from Navan to Kingscourt, this thirty kilometre Greenway travels through Kilberry, Wilkinstown, Castletown Kilpatrick, Nobber and Kilmainhamwood. The trail offers varied scenery and several shorter looped trails at Castletown and Nobber for those who want a briefer walk. Villages along the route provide historic points of interest and local cafés to warm up in after a crisp winter ride or walk.
Littlewood Forest
A short drive from Slane, Littlewood Forest is a diverse woodland with roughly one hundred recorded plant species. The forest includes broadleaved stands and conifer plantations, with spring bluebells and a rich fungi season in autumn. Wildlife includes red deer, pine marten, bats and a variety of birds. In winter the forest’s quieter paths offer a restorative experience among veteran trees and long established woodland flora.
Loughcrew Estate
Loughcrew’s gardens, terraces and a six kilometre lake walk around Lough Creeve provide a magical winter setting. The gardens combine 17th and 19th century landscaping with specimen plantings, a lime avenue and historic features including a medieval motte. Families will enjoy the Fairy Trail, an interactive route for children with activity booklets and clues. Start and finish at the Limetree Coffee Shop for a warming treat after a peaceful walk.
Jamestown Bog Walk
The Jamestown Bog Walk near Martry is a 4.3 kilometre loop showcasing bogland habitat. It typically takes around one hour to complete and is best approached with sensible footwear in winter. Dogs are welcome on leads and a mobile coffee van often parks near the entrance, offering a welcome hot drink after a brisk walk. Parking is limited roadside, so plan accordingly.
Royal Canal Greenway
The Royal Canal Greenway runs for 130 kilometres in total, with about 22 kilometres set in County Meath. The level towpath is ideal for walkers and cyclists of all ages and includes access points at Enfield, Longwood and Hill of Down. Along the way you will encounter working locks, aqueducts and engineering features, as well as storyboards and picnic areas. The Greenway also forms part of the National Famine Way and offers easy, scenic winter walking through open countryside and waterside villages.
Trim Porchfield and River Walk
The Trim Porchfields and River Walk is a short, well marked route along the banks of the Boyne that takes roughly thirty minutes. The walk guides you through the medieval Porchfields where sweeping views of Trim Castle and nearby St Peter and Paul’s Cathedral reveal the town’s rich medieval heritage. Interpretive panels line the route and include QR codes that link to the Porchfield Digital Story Trail. The wildflower meadow, a small performance area and an outdoor gym provide points of interest along the way. Trim Visitor Centre, beside Trim Castle, offers more information and maps. If you prefer to see the river from the water, the Boyne Blueway Trim runs from the town to Bective Mill and is an attractive option for river exploration.
Wear layers and waterproof footwear. Check daylight times and aim to finish before dusk. Many routes are family friendly, but some longer greenway sections may not have frequent nearby facilities, so pack a flask and snacks. Keep dogs on short leads where requested and respect local signage and wildlife.
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