Ballyhoura
Overview
This site is open, but access through the site is heavily restricted due to recent storm/snow damage. Please bear with us as we work to clear and repair storm damage and follow any safety signage on site.
Ballyhoura Mountain Bike Trail
Welcome to the Ballyhoura Mountain Bike Trail Network. This is a network of purpose-built singletrack trails and forest roads that are designed for use by mountain bikes on a waymarked circular route. There are five fantastic routes to choose from! Two blue grade routes, the 7km Greenwood loop and the longer 17km Mountrussell loop. For those seeking more challenging red grade routes there three options, the 28km Tech Loop, the 35km Garrane loop and the 51km Castlepook loop. The trails take the riders through beautiful forest and open land with fantastic views over Limerick to the north and Cork to the south. Forest road climbs lead you into tight twisty singletrack with loads of fast descents, ups and downs, tight turns and technical rocky bits, guaranteed to leave you smiling! The trails are waymarked in one direction, please follow the arrows. The route uses multiple sections of forest roads and crosses many walking trails. You should expect to encounter vehicles and other forest users at any time. In general, the trail is exposed on the upper slopes and can be very windy in poor weather. Please make sure your mountain bike is in good working order and that you have an appropriate level of fitness and skill level to undertake these trails. All riders should be appropriately dressed and wear a helmet at all times. Please ride with consideration for other forest users and control your speed.
For the walker there are a range of waymaked trails that allow you to explore the hills, valleys, glens of the Ballyhouras. Enjoy!
Car Parking
NO MORE COINS!A NEW CASHLESS PAYMENT SYSTEM HAS BEEN INTRODUCED AT THIS CAR PARK
PAYMENT CAN NOW BE MADE BY CREDIT & DEBIT CARD
OR
ANY AP BASED PAYMENT SYSTEMAnnual passes are still valid and used in the normal way.
New annual passes can be purchased on www.coillte.iePark opening / closing hours
08.00 – 22.00 sharp (Jan-Dec)ENJOY YOUR VISIT
Things to do
Cycle
Greenwood Blue Route – 7km
This blue grade trail is graded moderate, with numerous difficult sections along the route. The trails vary from fast and flowing to tight and technical. Sometimes steep and narrow, with variable surfaces including rock, roots, mud, loose stones and gravel that may become slippery when wet. This trail is for proficient cyclists only.
Information
Trails: Calling Huey, Ear to Ear, The Beast, Green Machine, The Snake.
Distance: 7km with 100 meters climbing
Time: 30 to 90 minutes
Degree of Difficulty: Moderate to difficult
Trail Waymarking: Blue circle
Mountrussell Blue Route – 17km
This blue grade trail is graded moderate, with numerous difficult sections along the route. The trails vary from fast and flowing to tight and technical. Sometimes steep and narrow, with variable surfaces including rock, roots, mud, loose stones and gravel that may become slippery when wet. This trail is for proficient cyclists only.
Information
Trails: All Greenwood blue route trails plus - Dessert, Easy Peeler, DLR, All Aboard.
Distance: 17km with 200 meters climbing
Time: 60 to 140 minutes
Degree of Difficulty: Moderate to difficult
Trail Waymarking: Blue circle
Tech Red Route – 28km
This red grade route is difficult throughout with numerous severe sections along the route. The trails vary from fast and flowing to tight and technical. Frequently steep and narrow, with variable surfaces including rock, roots, mud, loose stones and gravel that may become slippery when wet. This trail is not for novice mountain bike riders.
Information
Trails: All Mountrussell blue route trails plus – Tech 1 and Tech 2.
Distance: 28km with 220 meters climbing
Time: 90 to 190 minutes
Degree of Difficulty: Difficult to severe
Trail Waymarking: Red Square
Garrane Red Route – 35km
This red grade route is difficult throughout with numerous severe sections along the route. The trails vary from fast and flowing to tight and technical. Frequently steep and narrow, with variable surfaces including rock, roots, mud, loose stones and gravel that may become slippery when wet. This trail is not for novice mountain bike riders.
Information
Trails: All Mountrussell route trails plus – Super D, Cliff Hanger, Forest Gump, Pump & Grind, Low Road, Grand Torino, Lone Ranger, High Road, Rocky.
Distance: 35km with 100 meters climbing
Time: 90 to 220 minutes
Degree of Difficulty: Difficult to severe
Trail Waymarking: White circle with red outline
Castlepook Red Route – 51km
This red grade route is difficult throughout with numerous severe sections along the route. The trails vary from fast and flowing to tight and technical. Frequently steep and narrow, with variable surfaces including rock, roots, mud, loose stones and gravel that may become slippery when wet. This trail is not for novice mountain bike riders.
Information
Trails: All Garrane red route trails plus – Streamhill, Switchbacker, Flying Sauser, Superman, Slip n’ Slide, River Run, Full Circle.
Distance: 51km with 410 meters climbing
Time: 150 to 250 minutes
Degree of Difficulty: Difficult to severe
Trail Waymarking: Red Circle
Walk
Currently, there are three looped walking trails starting and finishing at the main trailhead. The Nature Trail (2kms, 40mins, moderate) has a number of information points and woodland animals to be seen and is ideal for children ; the Greenwood Trail (4.8 kms, 1hr 50 mins, moderate) is a delightful trek through the forest taking in local streams and the Blackrock Loop (11km, 3hr 30 mins, strenuous) please note, that a detour is in place on a section of the Blackrock Loop. Please adhere to signage.
Orienteering
There are 23 permanent orienteering controls in the Ballyhouras. They are organised into two courses, SHORT and LONG for you to choose from depending on your fitness and skill levels. For schools, the orienteering can be combined with an opportunity to learn more about the great outdoors through the Primary and Secondary education workbooks.
Explore nature
The hen harrier is a resident in the Ballyhouras, along with Peregrine falcons, red squirrels, hares, deer, badgers, frogs galore who all enjoy this 6000 hectare block of forest and mountain upland.
Don’t miss our hidden gem
Nestled in the countryside this deceptive forest has so many activity choices that it warrants a day or weekend trip. Coupled with a warm Ballyhoura welcome, you will not be disappointed.