Distance from the Glenmalure Lodge: 13km

Clara Vale is renowned for its chocolate box setting of a whitewashed church sitting on the banks of the Avonmore River and a beautiful stone hump-back bridge spanning the river with its five arches. Clara Vale Church has long been a favourite place for young couples to get married in.

Running alongside the Avonmore River is the Clara Vale Nature Reserve. This is a substantial forest of native Irish trees that includes an ancient Oak Woodlands, Scots Pine and some Birch plantations. The Reserve is nearly 550 acres in size and provides a wealth of woodland bird-life that includes Long-eared Owls, Jays, Tree-creepers, Crossbills and the Great Spotted Woodpecker, which has recently arrived back to the shores of Ireland.

A short distance up the hill to the right of the church is an entrance to the Nature Reserve. There is only enough room to park a few cars here and care must be taken not to block the gate. There are three sign-posted loop walks within the Nature Reserve. Each of three trails has its own colour-coded signage and these vary in length from 2km to 9.5km. The longest of the walks should take between 2-3 hours to complete.