Deer Park Loop

Deer Park Loop is an easy 5.5 km / 3.4 mi circuit on the edge of Cavan, with just 45 m / 148 ft of climbing and an overall high point of 91 m / 300 ft. The route starts on Killyvaghan Road and takes about 1 hour. Its gentle gradients and loop format make it a straightforward outing for a relaxed walk close to town.

The route

From Killyvaghan Road, the loop heads into a green lakeside setting and circles through a mix of woodland and open shoreline. The line of the walk passes below Lisnaspeenan, reached about 3.2 km from the start, and later skirts Fedd Hill near the closing stages at around 5.0 km. Although those nearby high points rise above the trail, the walk itself stays low and easy-going, with 49 m / 161 ft of descent over the full circuit.

Terrain and difficulty

This is an easy route suited to walkers looking for a short outing rather than a sustained climb. The modest elevation gain keeps the effort level low, but the lakeside and forest setting can still mean damp or uneven ground in places, so walking shoes with a bit of grip are a sensible choice. Allow about an hour, with extra time if stopping by the water or taking a slower pace.

Getting there

The start is on Killyvaghan Road just outside Cavan. For drivers, the walk is close enough to town to reach in a few minutes, and Cavan is served by Bus Éireann county and interurban routes. From the town centre, the trailhead is best reached by local road access or a short taxi ride.

Landscape and nearby features

County Cavan is known for its lakelands, and this loop makes the most of that character with waterside stretches and a sheltered, leafy feel.