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