Join us for another Big Vegan Hike + Picnic hosted by Our Earthy Collective. This time we’re heading to beautiful Glenbarrow, Co. Laois
Step one: Grab a ticket!
Step two: Join our BVH WhatsApp group.
(Be sure to grab your ticket first before joining the group in order to be accepted 🙏🏻🧡 this helps us maintain a bot-free, scammer-free, and safe WhatsApp community.)
Our Earthy Collective is a free-for-all, volunteer-led, community platform built around shared values, connection, sustainability and collective action. It’s an online gathering place to discover, share, connect and take action together, grounded here in Ireland and created for people who care about the planet, community and creating positive change.
These days, it can often feel like we’re all caring quietly in our own little corners, scrolling endlessly, worrying about the world, and craving more meaningful connections. Our Earthy Collective exists to bring people back together again, turn shared concern into shared action, and remind us that even small actions feel more powerful when done collectively. 🧡
And that’s exactly what these hikes are all about.
This Month’s Adventure
This September, we’re heading to the stunning Glenbarrow Eco Walk in Co. Laois, one of the beautiful walking trails of the Slieve Bloom Mountains.
The Glenbarrow Eco Walk is an approximately 8.5km circular trail through woodland, forest paths and roads, taking us through the beautiful Glenbarrow landscape and along the River Barrow. We’ll encounter woodland, waterfalls, river scenery and plenty of opportunities to slow down and connect with nature. 🌲💧
We’ll take our time, enjoy the trail together and soak up the early autumn atmosphere.
Along the way, we’ll also have a light foraging experience, taking the opportunity to notice and learn about some of the edible and interesting plants growing around us. 🌿🍄
And, as always, this isn’t just about the hike.
We’ll finish up with our signature vegan picnic & potluck, so bring along your favourite vegan dish, snack, fruit, dessert, or something delicious to share. Homemade or shop-bought, sweet or savoury, everything is welcome. 🥗✨
We’re also encouraging anyone who feels the call to bring along an instrument to do so, and feel free to share a tune or two at the picnic!
It’s a day to walk, eat, explore, forage, make music, meet sound people, and enjoy being outdoors together. 🧡
Whether you’re vegan, vegan-curious, coming solo or bringing friends, you’ll be warmly welcomed.
This event is for you if you’ve ever thought…
🧡 “I wish I knew more vegans.”
🧡 “I’d love to meet more like-minded people.”
🧡 “I want to spend more time in nature.”
🧡 “I’d love to learn more about wild plants and foraging.”
🧡 “I’d love to meet people who care about sustainability and the planet.”
🧡 “I fancy a hike, a picnic and some good music.”
🧡 Or maybe… “I might meet a cute vegan in the wild?” 👀
Come exactly as you are.
Just bring comfortable hiking shoes, something delicious to share, and good energy. 🌿
Event Details
🗓️ Date: Saturday 13th September 2026
⏰ Time: 11:00 AM sharp – approximately 4:00 PM
📍 Meeting Point: Glenbarrow Car Park, Co. Laois (exact meeting details will be shared with ticket holders before the event).
🥾 Distance: Approximately 8.5km
⛰️ Difficulty: Strenuous. The official Glenbarrow Eco Walk is graded strenuous and is recommended for people with higher-than-average fitness levels. Expect forest trails, roads, uneven ground and some climbs.
🅿️ Parking: Available on site
🚻 Toilets: Available on site
🌿 Foraging: A light, informal foraging experience will take place during the hike.
🎶 Music: Feel free to bring an instrument and join in with some music after the hike!
⏰ Please arrive by 10:50 AM so we’re ready to begin the hike promptly at 11:00 AM sharp.
Carpooling + WhatsApp Group
We encourage attendees to organise lifts where possible and carpool to the event.
Our WhatsApp group is where we’ll share important event updates, meeting information and a space to organise carpooling for the day. 🚗
Please join the WhatsApp group after purchasing your ticket.
Picnic + Potluck
After our hike, we’ll settle down together for our usual vegan picnic and potluck. 🧺🥗
Please bring something vegan to eat and share with the group, whether that’s a homemade dish, a shop-bought snack, fruit, sandwiches, cake, dessert, or anything else you fancy.
You don’t need to bring anything elaborate. The idea is simply to share food, connect and enjoy some time together after the walk.
If you have a picnic blanket, bring one along too!
Music + Good Vibes
Got an instrument?
Bring it! 🎶
We’re inviting anyone who’d like to play music, sing or simply join in to bring an instrument along.
Foraging
As part of the day, we’ll incorporate a light and informal foraging experience into the hike. 🌿
We’ll take some time to notice the plants and natural surroundings along the trail and learn a little about the wild foods and flora we encounter.
This is intended as a gentle introduction rather than a formal professional foraging course.
Please do not consume any wild plant or mushroom unless you are completely certain of its identification and suitability.
Donations
Donation: €10
After Eventbrite fees:
🌳 50% of donations will go towards planting native Irish trees through our tree-planting partners, Reforest Nation.
🧡 50% will help support and grow Our Earthy Collective, allowing us to continue creating meaningful gatherings, resources and community spaces centred around sustainability, connection and collective action.
Every donation supports both people and planet. 🌀✨
What to Bring
🥾 Comfortable hiking shoes or walking boots
💧 Plenty of water
🥗 A vegan dish, snack or dessert to share
🧺 Picnic blanket (optional)
🧥 Weather-appropriate clothing
🌿 A curious mind for our light foraging experience
🎸 An instrument if you’d like to make some music
☀️ Sun protection
🎒 A small backpack
Getting There
The Glenbarrow Eco Walk starts at Glenbarrow Car Park, Co. Laois, in the Slieve Bloom Mountains.
The trailhead is accessed from the Rosenallis area, with Glenbarrow signposted from the R422. The official trail information identifies Glenbarrow Car Park as the trailhead for the 8.5km Eco Walk.
Parking is available on site, and toilets will also be available.
We encourage attendees to organise lifts where possible and use the WhatsApp group to arrange carpooling.
Important Trail Information
The Glenbarrow Eco Walk is an 8.5km circular trail and is officially graded strenuous, taking approximately three hours depending on fitness levels. The terrain includes forest trails and roads, with some uneven and potentially challenging sections.
Please make sure you’re comfortable walking this distance and terrain before booking.
Safety Note
Please note: This is a casual community hike and not a professionally guided mountain hike. By attending, you acknowledge that you are participating at your own risk.
Please dress appropriately for the weather, wear suitable footwear, bring enough water and food, know your limits, and respect the trails and surrounding environment.
Foraging will be light and educational in nature. Do not consume anything you find unless you are completely certain it has been correctly identified as safe to eat.
Please follow Leave No Trace principles and leave the beautiful Glenbarrow landscape as you found it.
Safety first, good craic always. 🧡🌿