For those with time and enthusiasm, or those with a love for walking, Duhallow is best explored on foot and will reveal a breathtaking variety of scenery. Whether it’s trekking along the Mullaghareirk Mountains or along Mount Hilary or going for a stroll in the Island Woods, the Duhallow region has a variety of walks to suit all ages and interests.
IRD Duhallow June and July 2022 walks
29th June, Wednesday @ 7pm at the car park in Meelin for a walk on the upper Reanahoun loop of the Mullaghareirks. There will be tea and coffee afterwards. Registration is essential.
13th July, Wednesday @ 7pm at the car park at St. John’s Well for a walk on the Duhallow Way stretch of Mushera. This walk has spectacular views, but can be wet/muddy in patches, so appropriate footwear is essential. There will be tea and coffee afterwards. Registration is essential.
27th July, Wednesday @ 7pm at the trail head at Mount Hillary. There will be tea and coffee afterwards. Registration is essential.
The Duhallow region has a variety of walks to suit all ages and interests
Tony Kileen, centre, minister of state for forestry who officially launched the Source of the Blackwater Loop Walk in Ballydesmond. Included are from left, Isabel Wilkoswska, manager, Coillte Forestry; Jack Roche, IRD Duhallow board; Michael Doyle, IRD Duhallow board; Bernard Dunne, Coillte, district manager; Maura Walsh, CEO, IRD Duhallow and Jim Ryan, former Coillte manager. Photo by Patrick Casey
Mount Hilary – the Hill of the Eagle
The stunning scenery of Duhallow
Our unspoilt landscapes
It’s a long way to Tipperary…Mountaineer and Outdoor Enthuasist Nathan Kingerlee, Killarney, begining his quest at ‘The City of Shrone’ Rathmore, County Kerry, to hike the ‘Blackwater Way’ with his pet goat ‘Bob’ and his trusted dog ‘Caragh.The Blackwater Way is a way-marked trail, stretching from Shrone near Killarney in Kerry, to Clogheen, near Clonmel in Tipperary. A popular route for hikers, it has probably never had such an unlikely group as a man, a goat and a dog travel its paths before.Photo:Valerie O’Sullivan
Sheltered forestry walks
IRD Duhallow has worked along with Coillte, Fáilte Ireland, Cork County Council and local landowners to develop the tourism potential of walking in Duhallow. Participants of the Rural Social Scheme carry out upgrading work and maintenance the walks in Duhallow to the standards commended by the Irish Sports Council in their inspections. Brochures are available for each of the walks along with detailed information boards put in place on each of the routes. For more information on these walkways please contact IRD Duhallow at 029-60633 or download the brochures on each below.
The Duhallow Way
The Duhallow Way is an enchanting stretch of approximately 30 miles extending from Shrone Church south of the Paps Mountains to Bweeng Village in County Cork. There is an option starting/finishing at Clonkeen Church in the beautiful Clydagh Valley, or even adding it on as an extra leg. It is 7.5km from where the Duhallow Way crosses the Slyggudal Pass near Shrone and the stunning Lough Glannatreaghaun to Clonkeen Church. The stretch offers a contrast of wild bog and mountain, forest roadways, glens, lakes, rivers and stretches of beautiful isolation. The unspoilt landscapes is abounding in plant and animal life, displaying all nature’s colours – emerald green, golden yellow, purple and brown. It is an area of rugged beauty, a place which one could explore for days on end. Nearby towns and villages on the route have a charm of their own and with friendly, hospitable people you are guaranteed a warm welcome in Duhallow.
***Following complaints from concerned landowners due to sheep-worrying causing injury/death, there is strictly NO DOGS PERMITTED on Mushera/Maulnahorna Mountain and in the Shrone/Slyguddal area.
IN ORDER TO KEEP THE HILLS OPEN TO WALKERS, IT IS IMPERATIVE TO RESPECT THE LANDOWNERS AND STOCK***
Mount Hillary
Mount Hillary is located South East of Banteer village and consists of three different looped walks which are listed below.
For more information on this walk please download the brochure. Please note the track to the steps is not as far west as noted on the maps, this does not alter the distances.
Walking Duhallow – Mount Hillary
Walk A: Green- Knightfield Loop | |
| Theme: | Nature |
| Terrain: | Forestry Tracks |
| Distance/Difficulty: | 4km/ Easy |
| High Point/Ascent: | 220m/130m |
| Duration: | 45 minutes – 1 hour |
| Minimum Gear: | trekking shoes |
Walk B: Blue- Father Murphy’s Loop | |
| Theme: | Nature |
| Terrain: | Forestry Tracks |
| Distance/Difficulty: | 7km/ moderate |
| High Point/Ascent: | 300m/240m |
| Duration: | 1 hour 30 minutes-2 hours |
| Minimum Gear: | trekking shoes, fluids |
Walk C: Red- Mount Hillary Loop | |
| Theme: | Nature |
| Terrain: | Forestry Tracks |
| Distance/Difficulty: | 10km/ moderate |
| High Point/Ascent: | 390m/340m |
| Duration: | 3 hours-3hours 30 minutes |
| Minimum Gear: | hiking boots, rain gear, snacks & fluids |
The Island Wood
The Island Wood, located 2 miles outside of the town of Newmarket, is a beautiful wooded landscape area which is perfect for a walk, run or a picnic.
For more information on this walk please download the brochure here. Walking Duhallow – Island Wood
| Theme: | Nature |
| Terrain: | Forestry Tracks |
| Difficulty: | Easy |
| Duration: | 1 hour-1 hour 30 minutes |
| Minimum Gear: | trekking shoes, rain gear |
Claragh Loop
The Claragh Loops starting point is located in Millstreet in Co. Cork. For more information on this walk please download the brochure here. Walking Duhallow – Clara Loop
| Theme: | Nature |
| Terrain: | Laneways, hillside tracks and paths |
| Distance/Difficulty: | 10km |
| High Point/Ascent: | 390m/340m |
| Duration: | 2 hours 30 minutes-3 hours |
| Minimum Gear: | hiking boots, rain gear, snacks & fluids |
Mullaghareirk Mountains
Mullaghareirk Mountains are located north of Meelin in Co. Cork. This route consists of four loops which all start from the trail head at the entrance to the forestry in the valley of the Glashawee River near Mullaghareirk. The loops are arranged in pairs- the green and blue circle Banane Hill and the red and purple take the walker onto the shoulder of Mullaghareirk. This walk is signposted from Meelin village.
For more information on this walk please download the brochure here. Walking Duhallow – Mullaghareirk Mountains
Walk A: Green- Banane Loop | |
| Theme: | Nature |
| Terrain: | Forestry Tracks |
| Distance/Difficulty: | 5km/ Easy |
| High Point/Ascent: | 330m-80m |
| Duration: | 1 hour – 1 hour 30 minutes |
| Minimum Gear: | trekking shoes, rain gear |
Walk B: Blue- Rowls Langford Loop | |
| Theme: | Nature |
| Terrain: | Forestry Tracks |
| Distance/Difficulty: | 7km/ Easy |
| High Point/Ascent: | 330m/120m |
| Duration: | 1 hour 30 minutes-2 hours |
| Minimum Gear: | trekking shoes, rain gear, fluids |
Walk C: Red- Brosneen Loop | |
| Theme: | Nature |
| Terrain: | Forestry Tracks |
| Distance/Difficulty: | 5km/ easy |
| High Point/Ascent: | 360m-100m |
| Duration: | 1 hour- 1 hour 30 minutes |
| Minimum Gear: | trekking shoes, rain gear |
Walk D: Purple- Reanahoun Loop | |
| Theme: | Nature |
| Terrain: | Forestry Tracks |
| Distance/Difficulty: | 7km/ Moderate |
| High Point/Ascent: | 400m/160m |
| Duration: | 1 hour 30 minutes- 2 hours |
| Minimum Gear: | trekking shoes, rain gear, fluid |
