Moderate Linear

Ring of Gullion Way

Newry City centre, walk along the Fathom Line beside the Newry Ship Canal in the direction of Newry centre. Approximately two hours from Clontygora, way markers lead off to the right into Ravensdale Forest. Continue down through the forest to Marble Bridge car park after forty minutes. Follow a country road north for forty-five minutes. Continue, crossing the border back into Northern Ireland and County Armagh. Follow forest tracks to way markers that lead along ‘Woods Lane’ and a footpath to Urney graveyard. This leads onto minor roads leading to the rear entrance of Slieve Gullion Forest Park. Forest tracks now lead uphill onto a section of the forest scenic drive. From here experienced walkers can turn left along the drive to visit the summit of Slieve Gullion using mountain paths.

Distance: 56km
Time: 8.5 hours

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The Cavan Way

A gentle route that follows quiet roads, open moorland & country paths to reach Shannon Pot, where the great river rises and boasts magnificent views from the elevated upland areas.  The ascending route then follows the landscape of the northern Cuilcaghs, before descending to the village of Blacklion.

Starting Point: Dowra
Finishing Point: Blacklion
Distance: 22km
Time: 1 day

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The Burren Way

The Burren Way is a 123km walking route that takes in the best of what the Burren area has to offer, from the coast at Doolin to majestic wild-flower-decorated limestone terraces and from the remains left by the Neolithic inhabitants of the Burren to the rich heritage of early Christian churches and sites. The long views from the top of Mullaghmore, one of the easternmost Burren hills, are particularly spectacular in good weather.

Starting Point: Lahinch
Finish Point: Corrofin
Distance: 123 km
Time: 5 Days

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The Blackwater Way

The Blackwater Way (the combined Duhallow and Avondhu Ways) is a 168 kilometre linear long distance walking route that stretches from the borders of west Co Waterford across north Co Cork and into the Co of Kerry, following the valley of the River Blackwater. The Way is a richly varied one in terms of topography and features, and includes contouring sections along mountain flanks with great views, passing by ancient monuments such as standing stones, stone circles and cairns, and more modern monuments such as cillins (infant burial grounds) and holy wells.

Distance: 158km
Time: 10 Days
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The Bluestack Way

This route takes you through a true wilderness area of Co Donegal in the north west of Ireland with great views as it traverses the Bluestack Mountains, a range of low rounded hills. It connects Donegal town with the town of Ardara on the west coast. Along the way the route passes by scenic Lough Eske, and then wends its way across the foothills of the Bluestacks to reach an area called Disert, where there is an ancient mountain graveyard. West of Disert the route goes over rough and remote high moorland terrain between Binbane and Cloghmeen Hill before descending along the Owenroe river to reach a bog road. This is followed across isolated bogland at Meenawannia to reach Glenties. From Glenties an enjoyable stretch which includes a very pleasant riverside walk along the Owenea river takes the route to the town of Ardara. The terrain of the route consists generally of bog roads, open and often wet moorland, and mainly quiet tarmac public roads.

Starting Point: Donegal Town
Finishing Point: Ardara
Distance: 65km
Time: 3 Days

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Hare’s Gap

Threading its way uphill, the track approaches the Trassey River along the left hand stile. At this point the cliffs of Spellack, the north-east shoulder of Slieve Meelmore flank the opposite bank of the river. A point just short of the ford provides a comprehensive view of Slieve Bearnagh: seen here between its neighbouring peaks of Slievenaglogh and Slieve Meelmore, from which the cols at Hare’s Gap and Pollaphuca separate it. Slieve Bearnagh is one of the most picturesque Mourne summits with its combination of height (739m), crags, summit tors and smooth rock slabs. From the Hare’s Gap a range of routes can be followed, exploring in a number of directions. Right, a stiff climb leads up Slieve Bearnagh, considered by some to be the grandest of all Mourne summits. To complete your walk, retrace your steps back to the start.

Distance: 6.9km
Time: 70 day

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Lecale Way

The route starts outside the St Patrick’s Centre in Downpatrick and is described in one direction only though it can be walked in either direction. Crossing stiles & fields & head for Lough Money. At this point on the Lecale Way you can either continue into the loop around Strangford Village or continue along the main route of the Lecale Way at the junction of the Blackcauseway Road.

Distance: 64km
Time: 12 hours

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Sliabh Beagh Way

From the centre of Aughnacloy, walk southwest and cross the River Blackwater. Continue for another to the hamlet of Cavan. Turn right at the church and continue along a minor road for roughly twenty minutes. Turn right and then left into Favour Royal Forest. Follow the tracks to a minor road, and enter Altadaven Wood. The route now turns right and follows a track running parallel to the road to reach St Patrick’s Well and Chair after another fifteen minutes. Although the next section (i.e. northern section of loop from Bragan Penal Cross via Eshnaglagh to Muckle Rocks) is well way marked, care should be taken in poor visibility. If in doubt consider using the alternative bad-weather route i.e. southern section of loop via Knockacullion to Muckle Rocks. The northern section may also be quite soft underfoot following a period of rain. Trail ends in Lisnaskea.

Distance: 48km
Time: 7.5 hours

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The Western Way – Galway

This route provides an excellent introduction for walkers to the beautiful and scenic wildernesses of Connemara in Co Galway in the west of Ireland. Starting in the famous angler’s town of Oughterard on Lough Corrib, it follows the western edge of the lake, one of the longest, and the second largest lakes in Ireland, northwards into a magnificent wilderness of mountain and bog to reach civilisation again at the village of Maam Bridge. From Maam Bridge the route crosses the rugged Maumturk Mountains by a pass, at the top of which is Maum Ean, a holy place that has attracted pilgrims since the early Christian period. Descending again into the beautiful Inagh Valley the route passes between the Twelve Bens and the Maumturks, and through a sad landscape that was, before the Great Famine, well populated by cottiers, to reach the shores of Killary Harbour and the picturesque village of Leenane, one of the locations for the movie The Field. The terrain consists of quiet roads, bog roads, open moorland, forestry tracks, mountain paths and about 3km of timber bog bridge.

Starting Point: Ougherard
Finishing Point: Leenaun
Distance: 66km
Time: 2 Days

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The Kildare Way

The Kildare Way which is not so much a long distance walking route as a network of waymarked road, tracks and low paths, each marked with signposts and arrows of a particular colour denoting a particular trail. The Kildare Way runs from Kildare to Edenderry (37km), it is marked out with red arrows. The route follows roads across the Curragh to reach Milltown, then follows the Milltown Feeder past the legendary Hill of Allen. Roads then lead to the Barrow line of the Grand Canal and the town path can be taken if accommodation is required. The town path is followed across the Bog Of Allen before a short spur canal leads into Edenderry.

Starting Point: Kildare
Finishing Point: Edenderry
Distance: 37km
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South Leinster Way

The South Leinster Way runs south-westwards from the village of Kildavin in County Carlow, through part of County Kilkenny to finish in the town of Carrick-on-Suir in County Tipperary. It is a route that passes through varied terrain, including the heathery flanks of Mount Leinster (796m) and Brandon Hill (515m), a fine riverside stretch on the River Barrow, a large decayed demesne, and coniferous woodlands, but it finishes with a long stretch of 30 km on quiet tarmac roads.

Starting Point: Kildavin
Finishing Point: Carrick-on-Suir
Distance: 104km
Time: 5 Days

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The Ballyhoura Way

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. 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.

Start point: St.Johns Bridge
Finish point: Limerick Junction
Distance: 89km
Time: 4 Days

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Croagh Patrick Heritage Trail

Croagh Patrick, dominates the land south of Clew Bay in the west of Ireland, has been a holy mountain since before Christian times. Ireland’s fifth-century patron saint, St Patrick, is said to have made it his own when he fasted on its summit for forty days, and ever since it has been an important place of Christian pilgrimage: over 15,000 pilgrims climb to the top every year on the last Sunday of July each year, traditionally known as ‘Reek Sunday’. The Croagh Patrick Heritage Trail is a 61 km linear walking route that extends from the village of Balla in County Mayo, an early Christian monastic site with a broken round tower, to the village of Murrisk, site of a 15th century Augustinian friary, at the foot of the mountain.

The route follows parts of an old pilgrim route as it wanders through the rural landscape of west Mayo towards the holy mountain, passing by a rich heritage of monuments and buildings including early churches, holy wells and castles. Walkers may want to linger in the village of Aghagower, a monastic site where they will find a 12th century church and the remains of another round tower, and at the Clogher Heritage Centre which includes a working blacksmith’s forge. Also along the route is Brackloon Wood, a rare oakwood, and a survivor from the time when much of Ireland was covered with such trees. The terrain consists mainly of stone-walled quiet side roads, forestry tracks, field paths and open moorland (some of which can be wet). The aggregate climb over the whole route is about 300 metres, most of which is at the end of the route.

Starting Point: Balla
Finishing Point: Murrisk
Distance: 61km

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The Monaghan Way

The Monaghan Way is a 64km-long linear walking route that links Monaghan town with the pretty village of Iniskeen, near the birthplace of poet and novelist Patrick Kavanagh, via the town of Castleblaney. The terrain of the first part of the route south from Monaghan consists mainly of a prolonged, 44 kilometres of meandering narrow tarmac side roads and about 9km on main road, but there are a couple of short woodland path and field sections. The remaining 20 km of the route passes through a variety of terrain, including more narrow tarmac roads but with leafy boreens, short lakeside stretches and pleasant stretches along the River Fane and an old disused railway line.

Starting Point: Monaghan Town
Finishing Point: Inishkeen
Distance: 64km
Time: 3 Days

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The South Leinster Way

The South Leinster Way commences in Kildavin in Co. Carlow, runs through part of Co. Kilkenny & ends in Carrick-on-Suir in Co. Tipperary. The route passes by Mount Leinster and Brandon Hill, & part of the River Barrow, heathery woodlands & 30 km of quiet country roads.

Distance: 104km
Time: 4 days

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The Slieve Felim Way

The Slieve Felim Way is a 36km linear walking route through the counties of Limerick and Tipperary. The route weaves its way from the village of Murroe through foothills and around Slieve Felim, Keeper Hill and the Silvermine Mountains to finish at the former mining village of Silvermines. Near the southern end of the route and worth a visit is the Benedictine monastery of Glenstall Abbey. The terrain consists of quiet roads, forestry tracks and field paths: some wet stretches may be expected. The total aggregate ascent over the route is less than 900m, and there are no significant climbs, but there are some spectacular long views from the route, particularly along the northern section. There are not many options for public transport access or overnight accommodation along the route, so unless you intend covering the entire route in one go careful planning is needed.

Distance: 43km
Time: 2 days
Start point: Murroe
Finish point: Silvermines

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The Tipperary Heritage Way

The Tipperary Heritage Way is a long low-level linear walking route that follows the course of the River Suir northwards from the Knockmealdown Mountains towards the historic town of Cashel. Two easy accessible sections of the Tipperary Heritage Way are from the village of Golden to Cashel town, allow 2-2.5 hours to walk the final 10kms of this route and the second section follow the 2km riverside path of the Tipperary Heritage Way from Cahir Castle to the romantic folly of Swiss Cottage. The Gap above the Vee, a famous viewing point, the route follows part of an ancient road that once linked Cashel with the coastal town of Ardmore, a route taken in the past by many historic figures including St Patrick and King Henry II, and passes through the villages of Ardfinnan and Golden and the town of Cahir before reaching Cashel. The terrain consists mainly of quiet country roads, forestry tracks and riverside paths, some sections of which may be at times overgrown and wet. A variety of waterfowl including the ubiquitous heron will be seen along the river stretches, where otters may be glimpsed.

Distance: 56km
Time: 2 days
Start point: The Vee Gap above Clogheen
Finish point: Cashel

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The East Munster Way

The East Munster Way is a route of considerable variety, from riverside paths to woodland and from open mountain moorland to quiet country roads. It starts in the town of Carrick-on-Suir, in Co. Tipperary, and follows the River Suir upstream. The route crosses into County Waterford and ascends into the foothills of the Comeragh Mountains. It soon descends again to follow the Suir into the vibrant county town of Clonmel, which has a lot to offer those who linger. Leaving Clonmel the Way crosses a western outlier of the Comeraghs to reach the northern flanks of the Knockmealdown Mountains where it meanders westwards with spectacular views before descending to reach the town of Clogheen. Terrain consists mainly of forestry tracks, riverside tow paths and quiet tarmac roads: some off-road paths may be a little overgrown.

Distance: 75km
Time: 3 days
Start point: Carrick-on-Suir
Finish point: Clogheen

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Greenane Loop

Travel along the left bank of the river for 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. 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. 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. After only 200m on the road watch a marker which directs you left 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 car park.

Distance: 8km
Time: 2 hours 30 minutes

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