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

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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

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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.

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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

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