The Derrada Loop Walk near Newport is an easy stroll along tarred minor roads, stony (often wet) bog tracks and the Greenway, located off the road to Mulranny in west Mayo.
Now, just to be clear, I’m talking here about the Lettermaghera Loop, which is just one of the three Derrada Loop walk options. At 8km long, it’s the middle of the three, in terms of length. However, when I do this walk, I lengthen it by 6km (3km each way) by beginning and ending at Burrishoole Abbey, for a total of approx 14km.
By no means is this a superb walk, but it is certainly very pleasant and easily accessible.
So, to do the full 14km as I do, simply park at the afore-mentioned 15th Century Burrishoole Dominican Friary (colloquially referred to as “Abbey”), walk backwards and join the Greenway, eventually making it to the 8km loop proper. Return the same way later, having completed the loop.
To undertake just the 8km loop itself, drive an extra km west of Newport, turn right (having crossed the bridge; signposted “Furnace”) and park at the old school on the right.
Along this hike, no fewer than seven lakes can be seen, namely (in order of encounter) Loughs Furnace, Pollagowly, Skahaghadranton, Feeagh, Fadda, Doontrusk and Ellinore.
The settlements are typical of the west of Ireland, with individual houses well spread out, each seeking a bit of shelter from the prevailing southwesterly wind and rain. This is the classic (in the author’s opinion, unfortunate) ribbon development of rural Ireland.
The small tarred roadway eventually gives way to rough and stony bog tracks, which bring the walker through mostly cutaway bog, with nice views up Bengorm towards the Nephin Begs and, on a clear day, southwards across Clew Bay to Croagh Patrick.
(By the way, just for the fun of it, compare the colours of the above summer’s image with those of the top one, taken in winter!)
If you’re lucky, you might see some nice wildlife, especially at the mouth of brackish Lough Furnace, as it enters Clew Bay by the ‘abbey’. Herons and Little Egrets will most probably be visble, as they hunt for fish and more along the water’s edge. Rare sightings of Otter can be enjoyed, as indeed they can be further along on the loop itself, as this poor quality zoomed phone image demonstrates. Look up and you may spot magnificent Ravens honking their way across the hills.
Derrada Loop Walk near Newport
While by no means spectacular, nevertheless the Derrada Loop Walk near Newport does make for a pleasant stroll through a typical West of Ireland boggy landscape.
14km (8km); 4.5 hrs (2.5 hrs); 200m climb; easy.
For much more magnificent Mayo hiking scenery, check out my Western Ocean Walking Weekend, which takes place around Belmullet every June.
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