Coillte promoting Offaly forests for winter recreation

Coillte is encouraging people in the Faithful County to enjoy their local forest over the winter months, highlighting the Slieve Bloom Mountain Bike Trails, Glenregan, and Glenafelly forests in particular.

A recent Red C Research survey commissioned by the semi-state forestry company saw 86% of respondents say forests were important for physical and mental health and wellbeing.

The Slieve Bloom Mountain Bike Trails are a network of purpose-built singletrack trails and forest roads. Bikers can choose between a selection of four routes, two of which are blue grade, suitable for beginners and novices with the remaining two routes being more challenging and rated as red grade.

Coillte pointed out that the roads pass through stunning forest and open areas, with sprawling views over Kinnitty Castle and beyond.

Glenregan is named after the valley between Stillbrook Hill and Wolftrap Mountain. The forest envelopes both sides of the Camcor River valley, offering fantastic views over onto west Offaly and the River Shannon. The network of trekking and walking roads are extensive and easily accessed from the car park.

The Glenafelly forest recreation area takes visitors into the more remote parts of the Slieve Bloom Mountains and allows walkers to explore mature and semi-mature woods along river banks and along forest roads.

The Slieve Bloom Way runs beside the forest entrance on the public road and can be used to link with other Coillte loop routes in the Slieve Blooms.

The recent survey commissioned by Coillte found that 81% of respondents believe Ireland needs to grow more trees to help combat climate change.

In terms of tackling climate change, the majority of those surveyed (66%) were in favour of using Irish wood as an alternative building material to high-carbon materials such as concrete and steel.

Speaking about the survey, Paul Jordan, Regional Manager of Coillte, said: "At Coillte we recognise the importance of nature and forests in supporting our overall wellbeing and it’s encouraging to see that the majority of the Irish public agrees, as revealed in our recent survey.

"Offaly is home to some great recreation forests including the Slieve Bloom Mountain Bike Trails, Glenregan and Glenafelly and we are reminding people to take some time where possible this festive season to get out and reconnect with nature."

Coillte is responsible for the management of 440,000 hectares of Ireland’s forests, which represents 7% of the country.