Clara Bog Boardwalk
This walk takes you along the Clara Bog Boardwalk in County Offaly.
The route offers an easy and fascinating walk through one of the best-preserved raised bogs in Western Europe. Located just outside the town of Clara in County Offaly, the short trail allows visitors to experience the unique beauty and ecology of an ancient peatland landscape.
The boardwalk provides a gentle route across the spongy terrain, allowing you to traverse the bog without damaging its delicate surface. This accessible path makes the walk suitable for all ages and abilities, offering a close-up view of the rare flora and fauna that thrive here.
The scenery is defined by the vast, open expanse of the bog, with its mosaic of golden-brown peat, pools of still water, and scattered sphagnum moss. Clara Bog is home to a variety of specialised plant species, including bog cotton, heather, and cranberry, all of which have adapted to the acidic and nutrient-poor conditions. In spring and summer, wildflowers such as bog asphodel and butterwort add bursts of colour to the landscape.
Wildlife enthusiasts will be delighted by the diversity of fauna present. Look out for butterflies like the green hairstreak and dragonflies skimming over the water. The bog pools are important habitats for frogs and newts, while common lizards may be spotted basking in sunnier patches. Birdlife includes meadow pipits, skylarks, and curlews, whose haunting calls echo across the open bog. On a lucky day, you might also spot a kestrel or a merlin hunting for prey.
This tranquil walk immerses you in a rare and ancient ecosystem that has been forming for over 10,000 years since the last Ice Age. Clara Bog’s scientific and ecological importance has earned it status as a Special Area of Conservation, ensuring its protection for future generations.
Clara Bog Boardwalk Open Street Map 
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Clara Bog Boardwalk Open Street Map 
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Further Information and Other Local Ideas
To the south east there's some local historic interest at Durrow Abbey. The interesting medieval site includes several notable ancient features, a picturesque walled garden and some peaceful woodland trails.
Also nearby is the pleasant Tullamore Canal Walk.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
Clara Bog Walkway
Lesser Butterfly orchid in Clara bog.
Clara town