5 Best Places to Walk Your Dog In Sligo

This month for Operation TransPAWmation, we’re shining a light on all the different ways you can have fun and get out and exercise with your furry friend. Regular exercise is essential to help keep our dogs from gaining excessive weight, and to ensure their overall physical and mental health remains intact. Getting out and about helps keep the brain active, is a great stress reliever and boredom buster; both for dogs and humans!

Check out our blog post below on the best walking trails both you and your dog can avail of in County Sligo.

1.Doorly Park

A fine riverside amenity, Doorly Park is around a 15 minute walk from Sligo town centre, making it an ideal place to bring your dog for a walk. The scenic lakes, wonderous woodland and wild wetlands offer great picnicking and walking for the whole family. There is a nature trail that allows you and your dog to take in the best plant life, wildlife and views. The perfect place for a fine morning stroll or afternoon jog with your pooch!

2. Hazelwood Loop

Hazelwood Demesne is located at Half Moon Bay along the shores of Lough Gill. You and your dog will no doubt take delight in the woodland trails are described as among the most beautiful in the country. Have your camera at the ready as you’ll have incredible views of Church Island, Cottage Island, Goat Island, and Lough Gill itself. This route is flat and suitable for all ages and fitness levels, making it ‘pawfect’ for all types of dogs. There are various modifications available to make this route shorter or longer as desired, suited to your dog’s needs. There is a lovely picnic area lakeside to enjoy afterwards too.

3. Benbulben Forest Walk

A brilliant way to see Sligo’s table top mountain up close, this forest walk is perfect for dog walkers and families alike. This walk stretches for around 5.5km, and it should take you around an hour and a half to complete. There are some spectacular views on this ramble, with everything from Sligo Bay to Knocknarea to marvel at at different stages of the walk. There are several Benbulben walking routes, but you don’t need to climb it to appreciate its splendour. On a clear day, the jagged peaks of Slieve League should be visible across Donegal Bay, as should the imperial spires of Classiebawn Castle and the rest of Mullaghmore head. A textbook place to have a real adventure with your furry best friend.

4. Union Wood

You can’t go wrong with a few hours spent tackling one of the trails at Union Wood with your dog. With two trails that are relatively handy, it’s even more worth it knowing the views you’re going to be treated to at the end. Take in the breath-taking views of north west Ireland from this vantage point while your dog goes on a sniffari (on a lead) beside you. There’s the Oakwood Trail (2 hours) and the Union Rock Trail (1.5 hours). One of the beauties of Union Wood in Sligo is that it’s a short spin away from many other things to do and places to visit, such as Strandhill, Knocknarea and Lough Gill.

5. Strandhill Beach

If you’re on the hunt for a refreshing morning stroll with your dog, you can’t beat Strandhill Beach. A hit with our Puppy of the Year 2021 Orca, it provides plenty of room for your dog to zoom around and explore, while also taking some supervised dips in the Atlantic ocean. It’s hard to find a more perfect, peaceful spot to take your dog.

What is Operation TransPAWmation?

Petmania’s Operation TransPAWmation began in 2017 to highlight the rise in overweight dogs in Ireland. Since then we have extended the campaign to a whole-health campaign for dogs and cats, helping 1000’s of pet owners get to grips with their pet’s overall health and wellbeing.

Now in its 7th Year, Operation TransPAWmation is designed to help dog and cat owners identify and make small changes that can help improve their pet’s overall health and wellbeing.

For in-person support on your #PetmaniaOT journey, you can also drop into any one of our pet shops nationwide and speak with a member of our team.