Five scenic Munster walks to escape the crowds over the sunny St Patrick's weekend
Lough Mohra Loop, Co Waterford offers expansive stunning views of the surrounding countryside
We have a four-day weekend ahead of us and with the weather forecast looking promising, there’s no better time to pull on your walking boots and discover a hidden gem.
Whether you’re walking to keep active or actively avoiding crowds, these walking routes are off the beaten track and will provide gorgeous views as well as lots of space.
Happy walking, and happy St Patrick’s Day.
WALKING TRAILS
Capel Way Coastal Trail Glen Loop
Cork
As part of the Capel Way Coastal Trail this is a most enjoyable walk on gravel track and minor road bringing the walker along the coastal path around the tip of Knockadoon peninsula.
You will pass the signal tower (a Napoleonic War lookout tower), a Second World War concrete lookout post and some beautifully maintained thatched cottages, with stunning views of the sea cliffs, Ballycotton Bay and Youghal Bay as well as Capel Island, eventually returning to Knockadoon car park along minor road. Knockadoon Head along with Capel Island and the area of sea between is a national nature reserve. The shorter Island Loop walk also starts at this trailhead.
In association with Sport Ireland.
WALKING TRAILS
Fionn MacCool Loop - Bonane Beara
Kerry
This loop walk in the Caha Mountains near the Caha Pass brings the walker up Releagh Hill before circling the valley of the Esk River under the shadow of Esk Mountain, crossing the river by an iron bridge. Following laneway, sandy roadway, woodland track, cross country hillside and passing through working farms, the walk takes you as far as Esk West.
The trail is located in the historical and archaeologically interesting parish of Bonane and offers beautiful scenery throughout with stunning views of the valley and its surrounding mountains as well as extensive vistas beyond over the Beara and Iveragh Peninsulas. There are two other trails starting at this trailhead.
In association with Sport Ireland.
WALKING TRAILS
Kilcommon Pilgrim Loop
Tipperary
This walk follows old mass paths leading to the church in Kilcommon village. These paths were created by centuries of Slieve Felim inhabitants travelling to Kilcommon to celebrate religious occasions. The walker is taken on minor roadways, forestry roads and cross country as the trail traverses the Bilboa River valley twice and takes in the forested lower slopes of Mauherslieve or Mother Mountain as well as some open hillside.
A Mass Rock is about 200m off the trail on the outward journey in the townland of Laghile. As you walk, there are beautiful views of the river valley below as well as of the surrounding Tipperary and Limerick countryside.
In association with Sport Ireland.
WALKING TRAILS
12 O'Clock Hills Looped Walks Blue Route
Clare
This trail follows forest track, hard-core pathway and boardwalk, climbing steadily to the 12 O’Clock Hills peaks and then descending, passing sites of historic and cultural interest such as abandoned dwellings, old wells and mass rocks and along a section of Crag River with its stone bridge and waterfalls after heavy rain, taking in very scenic countryside with shaded stream-side paths, forest trails (some of which can be covered in pine needles) and open bog offering the walker impressive 360 degree views from higher up, on a clear day extending to all the high mountains of Munster as well as mountains in Connemara. Two other trails start at this trailhead.
In association with Sport Ireland.
WALKING TRAILS
Lough Mohra Loop
Waterford
This looped walk in Glenpatrick Woods ascends on forest roads and across open country to reach the coum of Lough Mohra, nestled under the steep-sided, spectacular and breath-taking Knockanaffrin Ridge. The lake is situated in a marshy hollow which was created by glaciation.
Having made the journey to the lake it is worth spending some time in this serene spot, from where the walker is treated to expansive stunning views of the surrounding countryside, including the River Suir below and, on a clear day, of the peak of Slievenamon, on the horizon. The walk traverses part of the old scenic Clonmel to Kilmeadean military road. One other trail starts at this trailhead.
In association with Sport Ireland.
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