Looped Walks - South East

Ballinacourty Loop

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Devil’s Bit Loop

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A selection of 10 looped walks in the South East

Greenane Loop

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Ranging from easy, level strolls to more challenging mountain trails.

Glenpatrick Bridge Loop

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Askamore Loop

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Slieveboy Loop

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Windfarm Loop

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Clogrennan Loop

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Fraughan Loop

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Pheasant Loop

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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.

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Trailhead 37 Loop 37c

Ballinacourty Loop

tipperarY Ballinacourty Loop Directions 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 Trailhead 37 you turn right and enter Loop 37c forestry again.

Ballinacourty Loop 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.

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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 Loop Directions 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.

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-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.

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 Loop Directions 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.

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 Loop Directions 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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Trailhead 54 Loop 54

Glenpatrick Bridge Loop

A

D

B

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 C 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 Loop Directions 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

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Slieveboy Loop Directions 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

CARLOW Windfarm Loop Directions 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 Loop Directions 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 Loop Directions 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)

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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.

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. 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.

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.

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 Loop Directions Start from the village of Knocktopher on the N10 between the cities of Kilkenny and Trailhead 33 Waterford. Take the Loop 33c R699 in the direction of Pheasant Loop 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

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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