If you are looking for a walk with a difference, you might want to visit Glencar Alpacas. This is a family run business on the Leitrim/Sligo Border, overlooking Glencar Lake and valley. You will meet Reilly, Arlo, Aston and Sonny, the friendly alpacas, each one with their own unique personality.
Des and Paula run Glencar Alpacas, and have help from their children Malachy and Stephanie. The farm has been in the family for generations and is steeped in history, there are a number of older cottages on the land and Des will tell you the history of them, and explain more about the flora and fauna of the area. The farm has always been a sheep farm, and you’ll get to meet some of the sheep too, but when the pandemic hit Des started clearing the paths with alpaca treks in mind. It’s a great idea and it’s in a fantastic location. The views overlooking Glencar Lake and Valley are just stunning, and as the walk goes higher the views get even better, you can see Knocknarea Mountain, Queen Maeve’s Cairn, and the surrounding areas.
You can choose from a meet and greet with the alpacas, or a trek up the hillside, depending on your level of fitness and the age of your party. If you choose the trek, you will see two waterfalls, Sruth in Aghaidh An Aird is on one side, this is known by some as the Devil’s Chimney – at 150 metres or 492 it’s higher than Powerscourt Waterfall. On the other side is the Cashmene waterfall. As always with waterfalls you are better to visit after heavy rain, Sruth in Aghaidh An Aird only flows in certain weather conditions.
While you are in the area we recommend a visit to Glencar teaSHED for lunch or coffee, the children will love it as there is a playground there. A short walk away is the stunning Glencar Waterfall – made famous by the poet W.B. Yeats
To book your alpaca adventure you can contact Des on 085 184 9574 or find them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GlencarAlpacas
