Ballyhoura Walking Trails
Ballyhoura Walking Trails, Limerick: Address, Phone Number, Ballyhoura Walking Trails Reviews: 4.5/5
Ballyhoura Walking Trails
Ballyhoura Walking Trails
4.5
About
Ballyhoura Country is a walker's paradise offering spectacular walking in ancient and unspoilt landscapes. Whether your interests lie in short, easy walks or long distance walking, whether you prefer guided walks or to organise your walking independently; walkers of all abilities will be invigorated by the sheer beauty and tranquillity of the area. Walking through Ballyhoura Country offers plenty choice to walking enthusiasts, there are exciting nature walks, river bank walks, quiet country roads, the Ballyhoura Waymarked Way, rugged mountains, rich bogs, and mythical landscapes. For further information contact Ballyhoura Bears Walking Club.
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Aoife H
1 contribution
Jul 2021 • Friends
Ballyhoura Walk : July 2021
We are a group of 10 walkers ranging in ages from 28 to 68 and with varying degrees of fitness. Our aim was to walk from Liscarroll to Tipperary town on the Ballyhoura walking trail in three and half days. The walk is mostly well marked, challenging in parts but well worth the trip. We stayed in the Park Hotel in Charleville which I would highly recommend for their accommodation, food and friendliness.
Thursday afternoon: Liscarroll to Shinagh
This was a walk along quiet rural roads past the Donkey Sanctuary and through the quiet village of Churchtown. There is a grocery shop here, in a somewhat hidden location, where you can get coffee, ice-cream etc. As you leave Churchtown, you walk on a busy road for about 3km before reaching quiet roads again. The walk was 12km long and took 3hours approx for all to complete.
Friday; Shinagh to Ballyorgan
We left Shinagh, crossed the railway line and joined the main Cork road. We walked for about 500 metres towards Charleville along the side of the main road before taking a right turn onto a rural road. We walked uphill along the road until we reached a sign pointing to the right. This boreen was overgrown and impassable, so we continued along the road, taking the next right, all the time climbing. We re-joined the signposted way some time later at a left turn when we went off road and walked along forest roads. Take care not to miss a right turn with a barrier across it. We followed the signs, all the time climbing until we reached a sign pointing to the right up a steep stone path to Carrow Mountain. The views from up there were worth the effort. The path down was tough underfoot along scree initially and across heather covered ground where the path is not always obvious. We re-joined the forest roads near Philip’s castle and walked downhill to the Bike Trail Shop. A number of the walkers stopped here, the rest continued on to Glenosheen and from there to Ballyorgan. The walk was about 32km long and took about 8 hours. It was a most enjoyable hike but I wouldn’t recommend doing this walk on a wet day. Remember to bring food and water.
Saturday : Ballyorgan to Galbally
We left Ballyorgan and walked along the road for 2km before turning right and walking up hill along the edge of the forest all the time following the signs. We exited on to a rural road through farmland and into another forest where there we got great views of the surrounding landscape as we walked. There was a steep descent on to a busy road before arriving in Kilfinane where we got lunch. Leaving Kilfinane, we followed the road uphill for 1.5km before turning left onto a horse path, then a cut away forest and then along the edge of a forest. We descended into Ballylanders along rural roads and from Ballylanders to Galbally along a quiet road. The walk was 28km long approx. and took us 7 hours.
Sunday: Galbally to Tipperary
The rain poured down and unfortunately we had to abandon the walk but will return to complete it at a future date.
Summary: This is a great hike across varying terrain and with some outstanding views. A certain level of fitness is required but slow and steady will get you there.
We are a group of 10 walkers ranging in ages from 28 to 68 and with varying degrees of fitness. Our aim was to walk from Liscarroll to Tipperary town on the Ballyhoura walking trail in three and half days. The walk is mostly well marked, challenging in parts but well worth the trip. We stayed in the Park Hotel in Charleville which I would highly recommend for their accommodation, food and friendliness.
Thursday afternoon: Liscarroll to Shinagh
This was a walk along quiet rural roads past the Donkey Sanctuary and through the quiet village of Churchtown. There is a grocery shop here, in a somewhat hidden location, where you can get coffee, ice-cream etc. As you leave Churchtown, you walk on a busy road for about 3km before reaching quiet roads again. The walk was 12km long and took 3hours approx for all to complete.
Friday; Shinagh to Ballyorgan
We left Shinagh, crossed the railway line and joined the main Cork road. We walked for about 500 metres towards Charleville along the side of the main road before taking a right turn onto a rural road. We walked uphill along the road until we reached a sign pointing to the right. This boreen was overgrown and impassable, so we continued along the road, taking the next right, all the time climbing. We re-joined the signposted way some time later at a left turn when we went off road and walked along forest roads. Take care not to miss a right turn with a barrier across it. We followed the signs, all the time climbing until we reached a sign pointing to the right up a steep stone path to Carrow Mountain. The views from up there were worth the effort. The path down was tough underfoot along scree initially and across heather covered ground where the path is not always obvious. We re-joined the forest roads near Philip’s castle and walked downhill to the Bike Trail Shop. A number of the walkers stopped here, the rest continued on to Glenosheen and from there to Ballyorgan. The walk was about 32km long and took about 8 hours. It was a most enjoyable hike but I wouldn’t recommend doing this walk on a wet day. Remember to bring food and water.
Saturday : Ballyorgan to Galbally
We left Ballyorgan and walked along the road for 2km before turning right and walking up hill along the edge of the forest all the time following the signs. We exited on to a rural road through farmland and into another forest where there we got great views of the surrounding landscape as we walked. There was a steep descent on to a busy road before arriving in Kilfinane where we got lunch. Leaving Kilfinane, we followed the road uphill for 1.5km before turning left onto a horse path, then a cut away forest and then along the edge of a forest. We descended into Ballylanders along rural roads and from Ballylanders to Galbally along a quiet road. The walk was 28km long approx. and took us 7 hours.
Sunday: Galbally to Tipperary
The rain poured down and unfortunately we had to abandon the walk but will return to complete it at a future date.
Summary: This is a great hike across varying terrain and with some outstanding views. A certain level of fitness is required but slow and steady will get you there.
Written 22 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
747/400
Dublin, Ireland1,128 contributions
May 2021 • Solo
Two Wonderful walks in Ballyhoura completed , the Daragh loop and the Canon Sheehan loop were both very beautiful.
Peaceful remote and with magnificent views made them both very enjoyable.. they are not challenging from a hiking perspective so they make a great introduction for someone who does not have much hiking experience.
Can’t wait to do the others.
Peaceful remote and with magnificent views made them both very enjoyable.. they are not challenging from a hiking perspective so they make a great introduction for someone who does not have much hiking experience.
Can’t wait to do the others.
Written 26 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
ania0912
Portadown, UK14 contributions
Aug 2020
Incorrect link on TripAdvisor sent us in the totally wrong direction. We were in the middle of nowhere 30 km away from the place... very disappointing.
Written 5 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
likestotravel529
Limerick, Ireland203 contributions
Jan 2020
A misty Sunday morning walk took me up the mountains of Ballyhoura. I would suggest to GPS Ballyhoura Car Park before setting out as this will bring you to the beginning of the walk.
The walk itself can become steep at times taking you past a ringfort and up over many hills and mountains including Seefin Mountain and a good workout.
It is an area with many rocks and shadows in the distance and carries an air of mystery about it. There is a presence of steeping back thousands of years while standing within this environment.
I came in early January which led to lots of bog land, though there is always access through.
The walk itself can become steep at times taking you past a ringfort and up over many hills and mountains including Seefin Mountain and a good workout.
It is an area with many rocks and shadows in the distance and carries an air of mystery about it. There is a presence of steeping back thousands of years while standing within this environment.
I came in early January which led to lots of bog land, though there is always access through.
Written 5 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Valerie C
2 contributions
Mar 2019 • Friends
Beautiful scenery lovely walks to blow cobwebs away through magical Irish countryside. Trails very well signed with various levels available suitable for all ages, levels of fitness.
Written 8 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Amazonite61
Limerick, Ireland57 contributions
Oct 2018 • Couples
If you own a dog, he/she will love this stunning park. You have a choice of two walks, short or a longer trek. The natural beauty is stunning, trees, little brooks and the stillness are therapeutic. Parking is a pain, but worth the trip. Lots of areas for a picnic.
Written 2 November 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Robin P
Limerick, Ireland35 contributions
Jul 2018 • Solo
There are about ten Looped walks in the Ballyhouras and you can get the total pack of maps which are beautifully printed.The Deebert Hotel in Killmallock keeps a stock. The walks are well signposted and vary in intensity so should suit everyone from casual walkers to serious trekkies.I started two years ago with the Paradise loop which is tough going but well worth the effort.Trail head Anglesborough nr Mitchelstown. In dry weather you could get away with trail shoes but I prefer full hiking boots to avoid accidents.The maps give distances and probable times and the essential kit you'll need. In preparation for the Sligo Camino on 7th July I did four of the loops over ten days.This region makes for a very enjoyable week of walking with plenty of good accommodation nearby.Thoroughly recommended for all serious walkers.
Written 11 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Anne Marie E
8 contributions
Jun 2018 • Family
We live at the foots of the Ballyhouras, so we are up there loads. It is a fabulous, under utilised area. It is so quiet up there....until we arrive! Bring the bikes, picnics and definitely the maps which are available in Kilfinane..,there could be some online. Love it up there and we go all the time
Written 22 June 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
michemw
Calgary, Canada36 contributions
Jun 2018 • Friends
This walk was a nice peaceful day from Limerick. It was unspoiled and wonderful. The air was clean and the trees were full of moss and wonderful. the loop was very well marked and was moderate / easy. It would have been a great walk with a significant other as it was quiet and secluded. The drive too was also very pretty !
Written 19 June 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
nicolal4400
19 contributions
Mar 2018 • Family
We did the 20K Ballyorgan loop. We saw rabbits, squirrels, buzzards and goats. Beautiful countryside not even the rain could dampen our enjoyment!
Written 3 April 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
John Joseph
Brooklyn, NY150 contributions
Looking for recommendations- want to do some hiking- 5-10 miles a day- stopping in small towns along the way. Many of the unguided hikes where they transport your luggage are much longer. The shorter options are guided and expensive. prefer easy-moderate.
Kristin
Chicago, IL77 contributions
Where do you find information about where the trails are? Or maybe get a map of the trails?
janeannweber
New Paltz, NY9 contributions
We'll be in Limerick July 10-11. Can we get picked up and taken there somehow? We'd love a hike or an easy bike ride.
janeannweber
New Paltz, NY9 contributions
How do I get there from downtown Limerick (Strand Hotel). We'd love to do some hiking
Amanda S
Kilfinane, Ireland
No problem. Bike Hire on site, business is called Trailriders, book a bike in advance, green loop nice to start off on. Gorgeous walks near trail head, Canon Sheehan Loop one of my favourites, website visit Ballyhoura is useful to get a feel for the walks. Tourist Office in Kilfinane can direct you to start but its essentially 3km from Ardpatrick on the Kildorrery Road. Bus service from Limerick operates daily to Kilmallock and Kilfinane, one service in the afternoon, if you guys get to location a drop off to trail head would not be an issue, there are taxi drivers locally that can accommodate that request. Further enquiries to 063-91300
Frequently Asked Questions about Ballyhoura Walking Trails
- Hotels near Ballyhoura Walking Trails:
- (4.96 km) No. 1 Pery Square Hotel, Restaurant & Spa
- (4.40 km) Absolute Hotel
- (4.46 km) The Bedford Townhouse & Cafe
- (4.08 km) Limerick Strand Hotel
- (4.57 km) Clayton Hotel Limerick
- Restaurants near Ballyhoura Walking Trails:
- (0.00 km) Bobby Molloy Pub & Restaurant
- (0.00 km) Cube Cafe
- (3.98 km) Bakehouse 22
- (4.39 km) Hook & Ladder Sarsfield Street
- (4.59 km) Coqbull