Overview: Distance: 3.6kmElevation gain: 23mFormat: Looped TrailTime: 30 - 90 minutesStart / End / Parking:There is space for 11 cars at the start / end point of the trail, here. Trail difficulty: EasyThis trail is very accessible - underfoot it is either a well maintained gravel path, or old laneways. Read about trail grading in Ireland here.Trail quality: 4/5Very well maintained. With some more time and general weathering the route will feel more natural and part of its surroundings. Views: 5/5Possibly my favourite views of Sligo Bay.Buggy/Wheelchair friendly: No - but almost. There is one kissing gate. Dogs allowed: On a lead When did I walk this route: March 2025External resources: SligoWalks info page for Raghly Loop TrailSport Ireland info pageMy route from this walk on Strava View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize The Raghly Loop is a 3km walk around a tiny headland that juts out into the top of Sligo Bay.This walk is small but mighty, providing stunning views of the coastline and many of Sligos most iconic landmarks.Starting from the roadside car park, theres space for 11 cars beside the infoboard. Along the trail youll find several info boards explaining the history, wildlife, and distinctive geographical features youll pass.The only unusual wildlife I saw that evening were Barnacle Geese. On my way to the trail I passed Ballygilgan (Lissadell) Nature Reserve, which is also known as The Goose Field! According to the NPWS, about 3000 Barnacle Geese arrive in October to spend the winter in North Sligo The geese breed in Greenland in the summer and spend the winter in Ireland. They graze in Lissadell Maugherow area every winter until April, spending every night on the island of Inishmurray. As I drove past I indeed saw what looked like a few thousand geese grazing, and as I reached the end of my walk, I saw many flying out to one of the further islands. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize This trail is very accessible - underfoot it is either a well maintained gravel path, or old laneways. The way-marking for the trail is a red arrow on a black backdrop, although most of the time the trail path is so well built that its hard to get lost. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize My favourite place on this walk was the Signal Post and the ruins of the Pilot Lookout. Signal Posts were used by the coastguard to communicate with passing ships - they communicated across the waters by raising different coloured flags and placing them at different heights along the flagpole.The sea pilots worked similarly, sending up flares to message passing ships. However their job was to row out and guide ships through the more treacherous parts of Sligo Bay. The last sea pilot of Raghly was John Joe Herity, and he retired in 1987. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize Reaching the bottom of the lane, you turn right, passing the ruins of the old coastguard station. Soon after that, youll arrive to the harbour. Built in the early 1800s, this harbour soon became one of the most important harbours between Derry and Galway, as well as being a thriving fishing port. These days the small fishing fleet primarily focuses on lobster and crab pots, which were stacked all around. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize As I made my way back along the final lane to the carpark, I watched the moon rise over Glencar valley. The view down it from this angle is unique, and I spent some time guessing whether I could truly see the cliffs around the Devils Chimney waterfall. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize

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Combining the warmth of down with the wet weather performance of syntheticinsulation, we try out two new jackets that use Primalofts latest loose fill technologiesBeing based in one of the wettest parts of the UK on the west coast of Scotland, Team Trek & Mountain appreciates gear that works well in damp conditions, so we were excited to test out two new jackets from Rab and Adidas that are built around the latest, cutting-edge PrimaLoft loose fill synthetic insulation.The performance of these jackets Rabs Cirrus Ultra Insulated Hooded Jacket (230) and the Adidas Terrex Xperior PrimaLoft Loose Fill Insulated Hooded Jacket (170) promised to be ideal for the kind of weather we enjoy/endure in Argyll during the winter months both wet and cold at the same time so we headed out into our local hills in a range of weather conditions to put them through their paces.Two different types of PrimaLoft synthetic insulation, but both are warm and damp-resistantRab Cirrus Ultra Insulated Hooded Jacket with PrimaLoft ThermoPlume+The Cirrus Ultra looks every inch the midweight down jacket except it isnt! Instead of down inside its chunky baffles it has PrimaLoft ThermoPlume+, the second generation synthetic insulation that uses soft feather-like plumes of vegan-friendly fibre to mimic the lightweight warmth, softness and compressibility of natural down. This + version achieves the equivalent of 650-fillpower, and its improved loft over the original PrimaLoft ThermoPlume is achieved by the use of little balls of synthetic fibres that keep the plumes apart and also help stop the insulation from migrating. In practice, this makes the Cirrus Ultra a superbly lightweight jacket that compresses really well in your pack and will keep you warm in all weathers, whether its raining, snowing or just bitterly cold.As well as PrimaLoft ThermoPlume+ the Cirrus Ultra also uses standard sheet insulation in high-wear areas such as the rear scooped hem and across the back of the shoulders, and overall the jacket is very easy to use and look after, with washing and drying much easier than with down products. We used the Cirrus Ultra in all weathers, from cold and dry, to cold and wet, to a full blizzard (see our Instagram Reel!) and it coped with all that was thrown at it. As well as its light weight and impressive packsize, we particularly liked the jackets warm, helmet-compatible hood, its generous handwarmer and chest pockets, and the overall comfort afforded by its Pertex outer and lining complete with soft beardguard at the chin!The distinctive baffle patterns of the Adidas Terrex Xperior PrimaLoft Loose Fill Insulated JacketAdidas Terrex Xperior PrimaLoft Loose Fill Insulated Hooded Jacket with PrimaLoft RISEThe Xperior is a very different beast to the Rab, but no less effective for its intended uses. Using a distinctive baffle pattern that helps to eliminate cold spots, the Xperior uses the latestPrimaLoft RISE insulation which is another loose fill made from 100% post-consumer materials (i.e. used plastic drink bottles). PrimaLoft RISE is ideal for packing into the small baffles on the Xperior, and this gives a totally different feel to the wide baffles and lofty insulation in the Rab Cirrus Ultra. Instead you get a quite thin but warm layer that could be used as a warm midlayer with a rainshell over the top, or just as an outer itself, as conditions dictate.In use we found this a really versatile jacket and, again, ideal for the damp and cool conditions that we hike in on the west coast of Scotland. As well as the PrimaLoft RISE insulation in the body and arms of the jacket, sheet insulation is used at the sides and hood, and this enhances movement and comfort in these areas. Theres two handwarmer pockets, plus an internal mesh stash pocket and zipped pocket ideal for your phone. A nice feature is the stretchy built-in gaiter which prevents drafts getting in around the neck.Walking in Argyll in winter can be both cold and dampTake-awaysSo what have we learned while testing these two products? Well, firstly that the latest PrimaLoft synthetic insulation is getting tantalising close to the performance of high quality down insulation, while also providing an ethical (no birds involved) and sustainable (use of recycled materials) alternative. And then just the ease of ownership not being worried if the weathers wet, and stress-free cleaning and drying of the garments, for long-lasting performance. Its a win-win situation as far as were concerned!More info at: www.PrimaLoft.com

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