A long lonely road into the heart of the Ox Mtns brings the beautiful scene of Easky Lough nestling amongst the surrounding hills.

A small carpark at the northern end of the Lough is the starting point for the National Looped Walk. This has picnic tables and parking for bicycles. New information boards depict some of the wildlife to be found in the area and give a nice representation of the Looped Walk. This circles the Lough and provides access to Meenamaddo.

Follow a lane along the northern shore of the Lough to cross a concrete bridge, steeping over the wire fence across its waist! Pass a water treatment plant and some old buildings to follow close to the shore of the Lough. Stiles and bridges aid travel on what would normally be very wet ground!

At stone enclosures head for higher ground if want to cut out part of the Loop – join again at deserted farm buildings (436228) cross stile and leave looped walk to head for the hill ahead. Views open out as gain height over the stunningly beautiful lough and boulder strewn hillsides rising to the main Ox plateau above 500m. Further north Slieve League was in view.

A lone fisherman stood in the waters of the lough as a plane made runs low over the lough to Strandhill Airport (this was some sight as the aircraft rose steeply to clear the hilltops – a bit of a Nepalese feel!)

Reach a fenceline running across the hilltop to the secondary top (326m) which brings views south west to the iconic hills of Slieve Carr, Nephin and many others in the Nephin Begs.

Follow fence downhill and cross as it turns sharply left, reaching the top of 330m in under one hour. Exploring a little further along brings some erratic boulders. Views already described maintain their clarity.

Drop directly NE past a large erratic for the edge of the forest boundary. Follow edge of forest downhill to reach the boardwalk of the Sligo Way which is followed to the shore of Lough Easky. The National Looped Walk can now be continued to complete a circle of the Lough.

A fantastic wee walk of 2.5 hours including lunch. The National Looped Walk on its own would make a cracking walk in itself!