Aughnacliffe Waterfall Trail

The Aughnacliffe Waterfall Trail is a very short easy loop in Aughnacliffe, County Longford, starting at Dolmen Court. At 0.5 km / 0.3 mi, with a highest point of 102 m / 336 ft and 14 m / 46 ft of elevation loss, it suits anyone looking for a brief stroll rather than a full hike. The route reaches the waterfall area on a compact circuit that can be walked in about 5 minutes.

The route

From Dolmen Court the trail heads out on a short path towards the stream and waterfall, then loops back to the village start. The map shows a simple out-and-back feel within a loop layout, so this is best approached as a quick scenic detour or a leg-stretcher rather than a longer countryside walk. With such a short distance and gentle height change, the ground is the main thing to watch rather than stamina.

Getting there

The start is in Aughnacliffe village at Dolmen Court, making this one of the easiest local walks to reach on foot if already in the village. For visitors arriving without a car, Aughnacliffe is served by Local Link’s LD05 service connecting the village with Longford via Cullyfad. Drivers should use village parking considerately and keep access clear around homes and local roads.

Highlights along the way

The main attraction is the small waterfall setting, tucked into the rolling landscape just outside the village. The wider Aughnacliffe area is also known for its prehistoric monuments, especially the Aughnacliffe Portal Tomb nearby, and local trail improvements were designed to complement the heritage trail linking the area’s archaeological sites.

History and landscape

Aughnacliffe takes its name from the Irish Achadh na Cloiche, meaning field of the stones, a reference to the megalithic heritage that shapes the character of the area. The nearby portal tomb is one of County Longford’s notable prehistoric monuments and is unusual for having two capstones.

Terrain and practicalities

This is an easy village-side trail with only minor elevation change, so ordinary walking shoes are enough in dry weather, though paths near water can be slippery after rain. Because the walk is so short, many hikers will pair it with other local sights rather than treat it as a standalone outing. HiiKER navigation is useful for pinpointing the exact start and keeping to the loop.