The Ballyhoura Way

The Ballyhoura Way
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An attractive and varied route through the lush pastureland of the Golden Vale. The Ballyhoura Way is part of the O'Sullivan Beara trail and stretches 90kms from John's Bridge in North Cork to Limerick Junction in Co. Tipperary.

The route crosses four upland stretches, one long one over the Ballyhoura Mountains (highest point Seefin, at 510 metres), two short ones over Benyvoughella Hill and Slievereagh, and then a long traverse on the southern flanks of the Slievenamuck ridge, overlooking the beautiful Glen of Aherlow.

The aggregate ascent over the route is just over 1700m, and apart from a few short steep sections, there are no significant climbs. Along the way, walkers might want to linger at the great Norman castle at Liscarroll, in the pretty villages of Kilfinane, Ballyorgan, Ballylanders and Galbally, or the storied town of Tipperary.

The terrain consists mainly of tarmac roads, forestry tracks, and open moorland and field paths. Some of the road sections are busy and should be used with care: some of the upland sections can be very wet. The Ballyhoura Way is best accessed at one of seven key trailheads, which provide information map boards and car parking.

These are located reasonably close to other services and facilities, such as shops, accommodation, restaurants and public transport. The trailheads are located as follows:

Trailhead 1 – John’s Bridge
John’s Bridge is located on the R576 to Kanturk. A shop and filling station are located at the road junction.

Trailhead 2 – Near Ballyhea
This trailhead is located at Kennedy’s Pub, just off the N20, and is 1km south of Ballyhea.

Trailhead 3 – Green Wood Car Park
Glenosheen is 1km from the junction on R512 to Glenanaar.

Trailhead 4 – Kilfinane
Kilfinane is located on the R517 and is 10km from Kilmallock, 15km from Mitchelstown, and 18km from Tipperary. The trailhead is located at Barrack Street, Kilfinane on the R517.

Trailhead 5 – Ballylanders
Ballylanders is on the R513 and is 10km from Mitchelstown. The trailhead is located at the Commemoration Monument, Main Street, Ballylanders on the R513.

Trailhead 6 – Aherlow
Aherlow is located on the R663 and is 10km from Tipperary. The trailhead is located at Christ the King Monument on the R663.

Trailhead 7 – Tipperary Town
Tipperary Town is located on the N24, approximately 40 km from Limerick. The trailhead is located at the Esso Filling Station on the Limerick Road.

Distance: 89km

Total ascent: 1560m

Time: 4 days approx.

Difficulty: Moderate

Moderate Grade Definition: These trails may have some climbs and may have an uneven surface where the going is rough underfoot with some obstacles such as protruding roots, rocks etc. The routes are appropriate for people with a moderate level of fitness and some walking experience. Specific outdoor walking footwear and clothing are recommended.

Read the travel blog written by Tough Soles about their adventures across Ballyhoura Way.

Remember Leave No Trace, plan ahead and prepare. Be considerate of others. Respect Farm Animals and Wildlife. Travel and Camp on Durable Ground. Leave what you Find. Dispose of waste properly. Fires not allowed.

*PLEASE NOTE that The Ballyhoura Way has been permanently rerouted at the following points.

1. Kilfinane - Re-route takes walkers mostly off the Kilfinane - Ballylanders road

2.Moore Abbey - Re-route takes walkers from Moore Abbey via Corderry to Aherlow and vice-versa avoiding the busy Moore Abbey - Lisvarrinane road

Both re-routes are newly waymarked so keep following the yellow arrows.

Visit Ballyhoura App also contains new route and remarked map.

Roadworks Map Download Ballyhoura Way Maps

Suitable for:

Adventure Seekers Walkers & Hikers
Location Enquire

An attractive and varied route through the lush pastureland of the Golden Vale. The Ballyhoura Way is part of the O'Sullivan Beara trail and stretches 90kms from John's Bridge in North Cork to Limerick Junction in Co. Tipperary.

The route crosses four upland stretches, one long one over the Ballyhoura Mountains (highest point Seefin, at 510 metres), two short ones over Benyvoughella Hill and Slievereagh, and then a long traverse on the southern flanks of the Slievenamuck ridge, overlooking the beautiful Glen of Aherlow.

The aggregate ascent over the route is just over 1700m, and apart from a few short steep sections, there are no significant climbs. Along the way, walkers might want to linger at the great Norman castle at Liscarroll, in the pretty villages of Kilfinane, Ballyorgan, Ballylanders and Galbally, or the storied town of Tipperary.

The terrain consists mainly of tarmac roads, forestry tracks, and open moorland and field paths. Some of the road sections are busy and should be used with care: some of the upland sections can be very wet. The Ballyhoura Way is best accessed at one of seven key trailheads, which provide information map boards and car parking.

These are located reasonably close to other services and facilities, such as shops, accommodation, restaurants and public transport. The trailheads are located as follows:

Trailhead 1 – John’s Bridge
John’s Bridge is located on the R576 to Kanturk. A shop and filling station are located at the road junction.

Trailhead 2 – Near Ballyhea
This trailhead is located at Kennedy’s Pub, just off the N20, and is 1km south of Ballyhea.

Trailhead 3 – Green Wood Car Park
Glenosheen is 1km from the junction on R512 to Glenanaar.

Trailhead 4 – Kilfinane
Kilfinane is located on the R517 and is 10km from Kilmallock, 15km from Mitchelstown, and 18km from Tipperary. The trailhead is located at Barrack Street, Kilfinane on the R517.

Trailhead 5 – Ballylanders
Ballylanders is on the R513 and is 10km from Mitchelstown. The trailhead is located at the Commemoration Monument, Main Street, Ballylanders on the R513.

Trailhead 6 – Aherlow
Aherlow is located on the R663 and is 10km from Tipperary. The trailhead is located at Christ the King Monument on the R663.

Trailhead 7 – Tipperary Town
Tipperary Town is located on the N24, approximately 40 km from Limerick. The trailhead is located at the Esso Filling Station on the Limerick Road.

Distance: 89km

Total ascent: 1560m

Time: 4 days approx.

Difficulty: Moderate

Moderate Grade Definition: These trails may have some climbs and may have an uneven surface where the going is rough underfoot with some obstacles such as protruding roots, rocks etc. The routes are appropriate for people with a moderate level of fitness and some walking experience. Specific outdoor walking footwear and clothing are recommended.

Read the travel blog written by Tough Soles about their adventures across Ballyhoura Way.

Remember Leave No Trace, plan ahead and prepare. Be considerate of others. Respect Farm Animals and Wildlife. Travel and Camp on Durable Ground. Leave what you Find. Dispose of waste properly. Fires not allowed.

*PLEASE NOTE that The Ballyhoura Way has been permanently rerouted at the following points.

1. Kilfinane - Re-route takes walkers mostly off the Kilfinane - Ballylanders road

2.Moore Abbey - Re-route takes walkers from Moore Abbey via Corderry to Aherlow and vice-versa avoiding the busy Moore Abbey - Lisvarrinane road

Both re-routes are newly waymarked so keep following the yellow arrows.

Visit Ballyhoura App also contains new route and remarked map.

Roadworks Map Download Ballyhoura Way Maps

Suitable for:

Adventure Seekers Walkers & Hikers