Top 4 Lakes around Leitrim

Lough Allen is a primary hub for water sports, offering kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and windsurfing, with guided tours and equipment hire available. Lough Rinn also provides opportunities for kayaking and other water sports. For swimming, Keeldra Lough is Leitrim's only officially designated swimming spot, known for its excellent water quality and sandy shore, making it ideal for all swimming levels. Lough Melvin and Glencar Lake are also popular for swimming and paddleboarding during summer months.

County Leitrim's lakes are renowned for fishing. Lough Allen is rich in pike and trout. Lough Melvin is internationally recognized for its unique ecosystem and exceptional fishing, home to rare Gillaroo, Sonaghan, and Ferox trout, along with salmon and char. Garadice Lough is particularly popular among anglers for tench, roach, bream, hybrids, perch, eel, and pike, with much of the lake accessible for bank fishing. Carrick Lough is also popular with anglers due to its thriving fish population.

Yes, Keeldra Lough is ideal for families, offering a safe, sandy shore and clear, calm waters with amenities like toilets, changing rooms, and parking. Carrick Lough is also a lovely place for a visit, with its diverse flora and fauna, and the lakeshore makes for a wonderful picnic spot. Additionally, Lough Allen Adventure offers guided water sports tours that can be suitable for families.

You can find diverse walking and hiking opportunities around Leitrim's lakes. Lough Melvin offers hiking trails, including those around Fowley's Falls. Garadice Lough features a pleasant loop walk with options for shortcuts through the woods. For more challenging routes, the area around View of Lough Nabrickboy offers fast rolling forestry gravel roads and challenging terrain. You can explore various hiking routes in the region, such as the moderate 'View of Lough Nabrickboy – Lough Nabrickboy loop from Tullynasrahan', by checking the Hiking around Leitrim guide.

Absolutely. The region offers excellent cycling opportunities. For gravel riding, the Gravel Path by the Lake provides wonderful rolling routes through dense woodland and open spaces within the Culeigh Lakelands Global Unesco Geopark. There are also various cycling routes available, including moderate and difficult options like the 'Carrick Lough – Roogagh Waterfall loop from Derrygonnelly'. More details can be found in the Cycling around Leitrim guide.

Many lakes in Leitrim boast stunning natural beauty. Lough Allen is surrounded by mountains, offering expansive views. Lough Melvin is characterized by crystal-clear waters, a rocky shoreline, and surrounding green hills. Lough Gill, though primarily in Sligo, extends into Leitrim and is surrounded by lush woodlands and contains numerous small islands, including the famous Isle of Innisfree. Glencar Lake, near Glencar Waterfall, provides tranquil waters with an impressive natural backdrop. Lough Rinn is set in tranquil countryside adjacent to the Lough Rynn Castle Estate & Gardens, offering a serene and picturesque environment.

Yes, near Lough Gill, you can visit Parke's Castle, a 17th-century fortified manor house in Leitrim that overlooks the lake and provides exceptional views. The lake itself is also famously associated with the poetry of W.B. Yeats, particularly the Isle of Innisfree.

The summer months are generally ideal for visiting Leitrim's lakes, especially for water sports like paddleboarding and swimming at Lough Melvin and Keeldra Lough. The weather is typically milder, making outdoor activities more enjoyable. However, the natural beauty of the lakes can be appreciated year-round, with each season offering a different charm for walking, fishing, or simply enjoying the scenery.

Lough Allen and its surrounding coniferous woodlands are important bird habitats. Lough Melvin is considered a nature reserve and a site of special scientific interest, home to rare fish species and supporting protected species such as lamprey, Atlantic salmon, and otters. Carrick Lough is also home to diverse flora and fauna, making it a good spot for nature observation.

For water sports on Lough Allen, you can find guided tours and equipment hire at Lough Allen Adventure. More information can be found on the Leitrim Tourism website.

Yes, the Lough Rinn Caravan and Camping Park provides modern facilities for visitors looking to stay by Lough Rinn. For other lakes, nearby towns and villages often offer a range of accommodation options, from guesthouses to hotels.

Keeldra Lough offers a tranquil, rural setting surrounded by boglands with views of Leitrim's rolling countryside. Lough Rinn is also known for its beautiful and serene environment, ideal for leisurely strolls and enjoying nature. Glencar Lake provides tranquil, crystal-clear waters with a stunning natural backdrop, perfect for a peaceful visit.