📷 Photo by Annie Spratt on UnsplashKnocknarea
Strandhill, Ireland
A flat-topped hill crowned by a vast unopened cairn said to be the grave of Queen Maeve. The path up takes about 45 minutes.
Knocknarea is a mountain of about 330 m near Strandhill, roughly 7.5 km west of Sligo in north-west Ireland. On its summit rises Queen Maeve's Cairn, a stone mound about 10 m high that can be seen for miles around.
The cairn has never been excavated; some speculate that a passage tomb on the scale of Newgrange lies beneath it. Queen Maeve and the mountain appear in several poems by W. B. Yeats. On a clear day you can see Benbulben, Rosses Point and the Atlantic from the top, as far as Donegal to the north and Mayo to the west.
Practical details: Rough Guides and Lonely Planet mention a car park at the foot of the mountain off the R292; from there the ascent takes about 40 minutes. Alternatively, the Queen Maeve Trail starts opposite Sligo Rugby Club in Strandhill; according to Sport Ireland it is 2.3 km long, runs over gravel, steps and bog bridges, is rated strenuous (about 300 m of ascent, roughly 1.75 hours there and back), and dogs are allowed. Signs ask you not to climb onto the cairn, because the stones are eroding. Wear sturdy shoes.
- Nearest town
- Strandhill, Ireland
- Category
- Scenic viewpoints
- GPS
- 54.2585, -8.5745
- Editor's pick
- ★
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
No month is ideal everywhere on this route; the most pleasant are usually June. Cold, short days in December–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- Ireland: Tolls on some roads, bridges or tunnels. Drive on the left. Barrier-free toll on the M50 around Dublin. Motorway limit for cars: 120 km/h.
Sources
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Strandhill Caravan & Camping ParkCampsite3 km from Knocknarea
- Rosses Point Caravan & Camping ParkCampsite5 km from KnocknareaTentsCaravansMotorhomesElectricityDrinking water
- Common ShoreMotorhome stopover17 km from Knocknarea · 2 pitchesMotorhomes
All campsites in Ireland · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Knocknarea?
Knocknarea is in Strandhill, Ireland, at GPS 54.2585, -8.5745. It is about 7 km from Sligo.
Can you camp near Knocknarea?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Strandhill Caravan & Camping Park, about 3 km away; within 25 km there are 3 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Knocknarea?
Knocknarea is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Sligo: Yeats Country and ancient tombs.
What is there to see near Knocknarea?
Places worth a stop nearby: Carrowmore (4 km), Drumcliff churchyard (9 km), Glencar Waterfall (16 km) and Slieve League cliffs (42 km).
When is the best time to visit Knocknarea?
No month is ideal everywhere on this route; the most pleasant are usually June. Cold, short days in December–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)