Download - Looped Walks - South East
A selection of 10 looped walks in the South East
Ranging from easy, level strolls to more challenging mountain trails.
Go to www.discoverireland.ie/walking(www.discoverireland.com from outside Ireland) for over 100 walks, including downloadable maps, useful links and details of walking events in Ireland.
Ballinacourty Loop 62
Devil’s Bit Loop 62
Greenane Loop 63
Glenpatrick Bridge Loop 63
Askamore Loop 64
Slieveboy Loop 64
Windfarm Loop 65
Clogrennan Loop 65
Fraughan Loop 65
Pheasant Loop 66
61
tipperarY
Ballinacourty LoopDirections
Starting from Tipperary Town take the R664 following the signs for Glen
of Aherlow. After approximately 6km you reach a substantial car park at
a viewing point near the well known statue of Christ the King. The
trailhead is located at a double mapboard in the green area below the
car park. Note: The trailhead is signposted from Tipperary.
This loop is one of a series developed at two trailheads in the glen
(Christ the King Statue and Lisvarrinane).
A-B. From the mapboard in the green area at Christ the King statue
follow downhill to enter the Nature Park. This loop is marked with purple
arrows – but overlaps with two other loops (green and light blue arrows)
and the long-distance Ballyhoura Way which is marked with the familiar
yellow walking man and arrows. Descend wooden steps and over a
footbridge and shortly afterwards you reach a Y-junction. Veer left here
and follow the woodland trail for approximately 1km to reach a wooden
stile. Exiting the stile the green loop turns right – you turn left.
B-C. You are now on a more substantial forestry track. Descend for
300m to reach a four-track junction where you turn right and follow a
forestry track for 800m to exit at a surfaced road just uphill from the
Aherlow House Hotel. Here you leave the light blue loop and turn
downhill following the yellow Ballyhoura Way.
C-D. Pass the hotel and follow the tarred surface downhill to reach a
sharp left bend where
you turn right and enter
forestry again.
D-E. Continue to follow
the Ballyhoura Way
along forestry tracks
for a flat section before
turning right and
ascending through
Ballynacourty Woods.
After 1.5km you reach
a T-junction where the
Ballyhoura Way turns
left and you overlap
with other loops that
start and finish in the
village of Lisvarrinane.
You turn right here to
begin the homeward
journey.
E-F. For over 2km the loop traverses the southern shoulder of
Slievenamuck Mountain and rejoins the light blue loop above the
Aherlow House Hotel before joining a tarred roadway. Here you veer left.
F-A. Follow the tarred roadway for a short distance before turning right
into forestry again. Following woodland trails, you pick up the green loop
at a small stile, and after 1km reach a 3-way junction where you rejoin
the outward route. Veer left and retrace your steps for 300m to regain
the trailhead.
Ascent : 240m
Distance : 10km
Estimated Time : 2hrs 30mins - 3hrs
Grade : Moderate
Minimum Gear : Walking boots, raingear, snack and fluid
Services : Lisvarrinane (5km) Tipperary (6km)
Terrain : Forestry tracks and woodlands trails
Theme : Nature
Trailhead : Christ the King Statue, Glen of Aherlow, Co Tipperary
OS Sheet 66, R886 308
Devil’s Bit LoopDirections
The town of Templemore is situated on the N62 which joins Athlone with
Thurles and the N8. From the town follow the R501 in the direction of
Borrisoleigh and Nenagh for almost 3km. Watch for a signpost for Devil’s
Bit which directs you onto a minor road on your right. Continue to follow
the signposts for Devil’s Bit to reach a substantial car park which is the
official trailhead.
A-B. Starting from the
car park follow the
purple arrow through
the kissing gate and
onto a sandy laneway.
Continue uphill to
reach forestry where
you turn left at a
kissing gate and,
almost immediately,
turn right into forestry.
Follow the ‘green track’
uphill to reach the
Rock Tower (on your
left) and join a forestry
road. This is the point
from where the loop
‘proper’ begins - you
will return to here later.
Loop 37c
Ballinacourty Loop
Trailhead 37
Loop 37c
Ballinacourty Loop
Trailhead 37
62
Ahead of you is a Mass Rock and shrine, and uphill the white cross that
marks the summit of Little Rock. You will get to it later - for now, turn left.
B-C. Continue to follow the purple arrows along the forestry road, and
enjoy the views south to the Galtee Mountains. As it ascends gently it
sweeps right to give you fine views northward into Counties Laois and
Galway. Pass two green tracks and a forestry road (all on your left)
before reaching a 3-way junction where you turn right.
C-B. This section of tree-shaded forestry road takes you uphill before
turning left and, after 400m joining a narrow track which swings around
Little Rock. There is a short spur up to the cross - the views from it are
well worth the trip up. The narrow track joins a ‘green’ roadway near a
shrine and Mass rock. Turn right and downhill - and after 60m you rejoin
the forestry road at Rock Tower where you started the loop. This time -
go straight across.
B-A. Continue to follow the purple arrows downhill through forestry, turn left
at the exit and, almost immediately, turn right onto the sandy farm laneway
which takes you back to the trailhead.
Ascent : 430m / 200m
Distance : 5km / 1hr30mins – 2hrs
Grade : Moderate
Minimum Gear : Hiking boots, raingear, fluid and mobile phone
Services : Templemore (4km)
Terrain : Sandy laneways, forestry tracks and hillside paths
Trailhead : Devil’s Bit car park, Templemore, Co Tipperary
WaterfOrd
Greenane LoopDirections
From Dungarvan, take the R672 in the direction of Clonmel. After approx
4km the R672 briefly joins the N25 at a service station. After 200m watch
for the junction as the R672 veers right. Take this turn and follow the
road for 2km to next junction where you turn right onto Kilbrien road.
Travel a further 2km to reach the substantial car park on your left. The
trailhead is located on the other side of the road – and can be reached
by crossing the wooden bridge
A-B. Starting from the mapboard at the trailhead, follow the purple (and
green) arrow as the loop starts away from the wooden bridge over
Colligan River. The green arrows are for the shorter Inchadrisla Loop.
Travel along the left bank of the river for 500m before swinging left and
uphill through Inchadrisla Wood. Stay on the forestry roadway for almost
2km as it climbs gradually to reach a 3-way junction where both loops
swing left.
B-C. The loop levels
off as it follows the
forestry road for 2km to
descend and reach a
3-way junction at the
picnic area from close
to where you started.
The shorter Greenane
Loop turns left here -
but you swing right and
begin the second
section of the loop.
C-D. The loop now
travels along the right
bank of the Colligan
River for more than
1km to exit at a
surfaced road where it
turns left and crosses
Colligan Bridge. After
only 50m reach a T-junction where you turn right.
D-A. After only 200m on the road watch a marker which directs you left
(be careful crossing the road) and through wooden rails to re-enter
forestry. The loop now ascends a woodland track for 400m to rejoin a
forestry roadway. Enjoy the last 1km of the loop as it sweeps around
Greenane Hill before descending to the carpark.
Ascent : 100m / 140m
Distance : 8km / 2hrs - 2hr30mins
Grade : Moderate
Minimum Gear : Trekking shoes, raingear, fluid, snack, mobile phone
Services : Dungarvan (8km)
Terrain : Forestry roads and woodland tracks
Trailhead : Colligan Woods, Dungarvan, Co Waterford
Glenpatrick Bridge LoopDirections
From the village of Rathgormack on the R678, follow the R678 in the
direction of Clonmel. After a 5km straight stretch, the road swing left and
reaches a downhill roadway on your right. Turn right and travel for 500m
to reach a large car parking area on your right.
A-B. Starting from the car park area turn right on the surfaced road and
follow the green arrow for 100m to reach Glenpatrick Bridge over the
Glasha River. Immediately after the bridge, turn left into forestry - pass
through the barrier and veer left at the Y-junction. Continue along the
forestry road as it ascends alongside the river and after nearly 1km, veer
left at the next Y-junction. After 500m the forestry road approaches an
exit onto the R678 near Boola Bridge. Do not exit - instead swing sharp
right, staying on forestry road.
B-C. Continue to ascend - turning left at the next junction and, shortly
afterwards, left again. Now you are travelling parallel to (but well above)
the R678 - continue to do so for almost 1km to reach a marker post
which directs you left and onto a sandy track into forestry. This short
track exits onto the surfaced road - take care crossing it to join an old
Coach/Drover Road which starts your homeward journey.
C-D. Continue to follow the green arrows along the old road - with
wonderful views of the Comeragh Mountains opening in front of you.
After more than 1km the road begins the descent towards Glenpatrick.
63
The last section of the
old road changes to a
tarred surface before you
join the R678. Turn left
here.
D-A. Follow the R678 for
200m to reach a laneway
on your right. Turn right
and enjoy this magical
tree-lined laneway as it
descends to reach a
surfaced road at the ruins
of a Slate Mine. Turn left
- the trailhead is only
50m away.
Ascent : 310m/160m
Distance : 8km
Estimated Time : 2hrs -
2hrs 30mins
Grade : Moderate
Minimum Gear : Trekking shoes, raingear, snack and fluid
Services : Rathgormack 6km, Clonmel 12km
Terrain : Forestry roads, green tracks and laneways.
Theme : Nature
Trailhead : Glenpatrick Picnic Area, Co. Waterford
OS Sheet 75, S289 195
WeXfOrd
Askamore LoopDirections
The town of Gorey lies just off the N11 – the main Dublin to Wexford
roadway. From Gorey, take the R725 and travel the 15km to the town of
Carnew. In Carnew, turn left onto Mill Lane (signposted Askamore) and
continue to follow the signposts for 6km to reach the village. The
trailhead is located at the car park opposite the parish church.
A-B. From the trailhead cross the road and follow the green (and blue
and purple) arrows onto the sandy lane between the church and Doran’s
pub. The blue and purple arrows are for longer loops. Continue along the
sandy lane for more than 1km to a junction with a forestry road on your
left. The loop proper begins here - you will return to this point from the
opposite direction later - for now, turn left.
B-C. Continue to follow the green (and blue and purple) arrows along
the forestry road for 3km - and enjoy some fine views of the surrounding
countryside - before rejoining the sandy lane at what is known locally as
the ‘hairpin’. The blue and purple loops veer left here - but you veer
right.
C-A. After 300m you pass a crossroads of forestry roads where the blue
and purple loops rejoin from your left - another 200m takes you to the
junction at B above from where you egan the loop. This time proceed
straight ahead and enjoy the 1km back to the trailhead.
Ascent : 280m / 160m
Distance : 6km / 1hr30mins – 2hrs
Grade : Moderate
Minimum Gear : Trekking shoes, raingear, fluid and mobile phone
Services : Carnew (10km)
Terrain : Minor roadways, forestry tracks
Trailhead : Parish Church, Askamore, Co Wexford
Slieveboy LoopDirections
The town of Gorey lies just off the N11 – the main Dublin to Wexford
roadway. From Gorey, take the R725 and travel the 15km to the town of
Carnew. In Carnew, turn left onto Mill Lane (signposted Askamore) and
continue to follow the signposts for 6km to reach the village. The
trailhead is located at the car park opposite the parish church.
A-B. From the trailhead cross the road and follow the purple (and green
and blue) arrows onto the sandy lane between the church and Doran’s
pub. The green and blue arrows are for shorter loops. Continue along
the sandy lane for more than 1km to a junction with a forestry road on
your left. The loop proper begins here - you will return to this point from
the opposite direction later - for now, turn left.
B-C. Continue to follow the purple (and green and blue) arrows along
the forestry road for 3km - enjoying some fine views of the surrounding
countryside on the way - before rejoining the sandy lane at what is
known locally as the ‘hairpin’. The green loop veers right here - you veer
left following the purple (and blue) arrows.
C-D. Follow the surfaced roadway downhill for 200m to a sharp left bend
- and veer right onto a narrow forestry track. Continue to follow this track
as it ascends over the next 500m to reach a 3-way junction where the
blue loop goes straight - but you turn left. Descend past a sharp left
bend and sharp right bend before a straight stretch of almost 1.5km
takes you to a 3-way junction where you turn sharp right. Over the next
1km you ascend to reach the highest point of the loop (360m) at a 3-way
junction on the shoulder of Slieveboy. Shortly afterwards, you rejoin the
blue loop and descend for 300m to exit the forestry and rejoin the sandy
lane you started out on. Turn left and downhill.
D-A. After only 200m you reach the junction at B above from where you
began the loop. This
time proceed straight
ahead and enjoy the
1km back to the
trailhead.
Ascent : 360m / 300m
Distance : 12km /
3hr30mins – 4hrs
Grade : Moderate
Minimum Gear :
Hiking boots, raingear,
fluid and mobile phone
Services : Carnew
(10km)
Terrain : Minor
roadways, forestry tracks
Trailhead : Parish
Church, Askamore, Co
Wexford
Loop 54
Glenpatrick Bridge Loop
Trailhead 54
A
B
C
D
64
CarlOW
Windfarm LoopDirections
The town of Bunclody is located on the N80 between Carlow and
Enniscorthy. From Bunclody, take the N80 in the direction of Carlow. On
the outskirts of the town turn l;eft onto a minor road (opposite the
Wexford Farmers Co-Op). Follow this winding road as it ascends onto
the shoulder of the Blackstair Mountains. After approximately 5km watch
for a substantial car park on your right.
A-B. Starting from trailhead, follow the green (and purple) arrows out the
back of the car park
and uphill to join a
forestry road at a metal
barrier. The purple
arrows are for the
longer Kilbrannish
Loop. Turn right here
and travel 100m to
reach a 3-way junction.
This is the point from
which the loop proper
begins - proceed
straight on. [Note that,
for now, you are also
following the yellow
arrows of the South
Leinster Way - a long
distance route. You will
leave it at the next
junction.]
B-C. Follow the
forestry road for almost 1km to reach another 3-way junction. Note that
the South Leinster Way goes straight here - but you turn left following
the green and purple arrows.
C-D. Continue to follow the forestry road as it ascends through the
forestry on the shoulder of Kilbrannish Hill. After 500m you reach a
T-junction where the longer Kilbrannish Loop turns right - but you turn
left and begin to descend toward the trailhead.
D-E. The loop descends for 600m more to reach another 3-way junction
where it rejoins the purple loop on it’s way back. Turn sharp left here.
E-B-A. Levelling off now, you reach the 3-way junction mentioned at A-B
above. This time turn right and enjoy the last 100m back to the trailhead.
Ascent : 370m / 90m
Distance : 3km / 1hr-1hr15mins
Grade : Easy
Minimum Gear : Trekking shoes, raingear, fluid and mobile phone
Services : Myshall (7km), Bunclody (7km)
Terrain : Forestry roads and tracks
Trailhead : Kilbrannish Woods, Co Carlow
Clogrennan LoopDirections
Leighlinbridge is a village on the N9, the main road from Dublin to
Waterford. At the Arboretum Garden Centre in Leighlinbridge, turn right
onto a minor road signposted for Milford and Ballinabrannagh. After
4.7km turn left at the road to Ballinabrannagh and Bilboa. In just 1km
you enter the village of Ballinabrannagh – turn right at the Primary
School (opposite the church) following the sign for Clogrenane Lime.
After 800m turn left at the sign for Clogrenane Lime – the trailhead is at
the entrance to Clogrennan Wood, 1km on your right.
A-B. Starting from the car park, follow the purple arrow along the forestry
roadway for 500m to reach a Y-junction. This is the point from which the
loop proper begins - you will be returning to this point from the left on the
return section. For now – proceed straight.
B-C. Continue to follow the forestry roadway for 200m to cross a stream
at a concrete bridge and another 300m takes you to a woodland track on
your left where you turn left. Follow the track as it zig-zags uphill. At the
top of the climb, the loop joins a sandy forestry track and turns left.
C-A. Over the next 500m the terrain changes from a sandy track path to
forestry roadway - and fine views of Carlow Town and the River Barrow
open up on your left. Cross a stream at a concrete ‘ford’ at a sharp left
bend and continue for another 300m to regain the junction from where
you started the loop at B above. This time turn right and enjoy the last
500m back to the trailhead.
Ascent : 180m / 50m
Distance : 4km / 1hr-1hr30mins
Grade : Easy
Minimum Gear : Trekking shoes, raingear, fluid and mobile phone
Services : Leighlinbridge (6km), Carlow (8km)
Terrain : Forestry roadways, woodland tracks
Trailhead : Clogrennan Woods, Co Carlow
kilkennY
Fraughan LoopDirections
Start from the village of Mullinavat on the N9 between Kilkenny and
Waterford. Coming from Kilkenny take the second left turn past the
church. After 1.5m take the right turn and after 500m follow the left fork
in the road. After 1.5km take the right turn T junction and park at the trail
head.
This loop is the longer of two developed on the hill through the
TrailKilkenny Programme.
A-B. Starting from the
car park, enter
Carrickinane Woods
through a metal barrier.
Follow the purple (and
green) arrows along
the forestry track for
500m to reach an uphill
track on your left. This
is the point from which
the loop ‘proper’ begins
and to which you will
return on your
homeward journey.
Continue straight
ahead.
B-C. Continue to follow
the purple (and green)
65
arrows – ascending gently along the forest roadway for a further 1.5km
to reach a left bend near the top of Tory Hill. The easier green loop
continues straight here – you turn left following the purple arrows along a
grassy path heading to the summit.
C-D. The loop ascends quite steeply now to reach the large cross which
marks the summit. From here take the narrow track which leads downhill
to reach the end of a forestry road and concrete foundations (these were
for masts that were previously proposed at this site). You rejoin the
green loop here and continue straight onto a grassy downhill track.
D-A. Follow the grassy track downhill and turn left when it joins a
forestry track. After another 200m you rejoin the forestry road you left on
your outward journey (see B above). Turn right here – it’s only 500m to
the trailhead.
Distance : 4km
Estimated Time : 1hr - 1hr 30mins
Grade : Moderate
Minimum Gear : Hiking boots, raingear and fluid
Services : Mullinavat (3km)
Terrain : Forestry roads and woodland tracks
Theme : Nature
Trailhead : Car park at Tory Hill, Mullinavat, Co Kilkenny
OS Sheet 76, S586 227
Pheasant LoopDirections
Start from the village of Knocktopher on the N10 between the cities of
Kilkenny and
Waterford. Take the
R699 in the direction of
Kilmaganny and
Dunnamaggan. After
6km turn right onto the
R701 signposted
Kilmaganny – after
1km the trailhead is
located on your right
opposite the Grand
Gates. [Note: The
trailhead is signposted
from Knocktopher.]
This loop (marked with
purple arrows) is the
longest of three loops
(the others are marked
with green and red
arrows) developed in
Castlemorris Woods as part of the Trail Kilkenny Programme.
A-B. Starting from the car park opposite the Grand Gates, enter
Castlemorris Woods and pass the Gate Lodge to reach a metal stile.
Cross the stile to join a forestry road and follow the purple (and green
and red) arrows. The green and red arrows are for shorter loops. Follow
the forest road for over 1km reach an archway through which stone
outbuildings (which were part of the courtyard of Castlemorris House)
are visible. The green loop turns left here – you turn right following the
purple and red arrows.
B-C. The loop now sets off to further explore the expansive estate of 200
acres and after approximately 1km joins a minor public road where the
red turns left. You turn right here.
C-D. Now you start a long ascent through the townland of Coalpitparks
(passing some large houses on your left) before entering woodland
again. After 500m you reach a T-junction where the loop turns left for the
return part of the journey.
D-E. A downhill trek of approximately 1km takes you to a junction with a
surfaced roadway where you turn right. After 300m at a right bend you
rejoin the red loop as it emerges from the forestry on the left. Turn right
her – staying on the surfaced roadway.
E-F. After approximately 200m both loops (red and purple) turn left and
enter Castlemorris Wood by way of a metal barrier. At this point you are
just short of Aghaviller Church and Round Tower – 200m along the
surfaced road. If you decide to visit the site, remember to return to this
junction.
F-A. Only 500m along this final section of the loop you rejoin the green
loop as it comes in from the left. Another 500m takes you to a
crossroads of forest tracks where you turn left onto a narrow winding
track to emerge on a forestry road only 200m from the trailhead. Turn
right and enjoy the short trek!
Ascent : 30m
Distance : 7km
Estimated Time : 2hrs - 2hrs 30mins
Grade : Easy
Minimum Gear : Trekking shoes, raingear and fluid
Services : Knocktopher
Terrain : Forestry roads, grassy paths and minor roads
Theme : Nature
Trailhead : Grand Gates to Castlemorris Woods, Aghaviller, Co Kilkenny
OS Sheet 687, S491 356
Loop 33c
Pheasant Loop
Trailhead 33
66