Murroe - Glenstal Woods loop
Grade
Moderate
Length
14 km
Am
4 hours
Format
Loop
Ascent
300 m
Dogs Allowed
Yes
Waymarking
Purple arrow on yellow background
Start Point
Glenstal Wood Carpark
Finish Point
Glenstal Wood Carpark
Nearest Town to Start
Murroe
Lat. and Long.
52.66139, -8.36073
This walk follows purple arrows through Glenstal Woods. It circles the Slieve Felim Mountains mainly on forest road with a short section on minor road. It ascends gradually on the outward journey and descends gradually on the return and towards the finish it passes through natural woodland with rhododendron in bloom in early summer. There are fine views of Keeper Hill to the north and out over the surrounding countryside.
Maps and other information
External Links
Trail Management
Limerick Tourist Information Office, 20 O'Connell Street, Limerick.
Tel: 061-317522
Email: limericktio@failteireland.ie
OSI Maps
Discovery Series Sheet 65
Damien from Limerick
The trail begins with plenty of signs to ensure you're going in the right direction. However, somewhere around the mid way point, there is a crossroads with no signage. We took the wrong the wrong turn and wondered aimlessly for two kilometres in the wrong direction, which inevitably led to sausage fingers and uncomfortable burning pains in the under knuckles of our feet. Would not reccomend!
Martin Guerin from Limerick
This is a fantastic 3hr hike which has great views at different stages of the walk. Stage 1 gives you a great view looking down into Newport and surrounding areas. Stage 2 gives you a great view of Keeper Hill and the road leading up to Rear Cross. Stage 3 brings you into the centre of the woodland covered in pine trees and then towards the end of the walk you will get a clear view of the Galtee Mountains . The hardest part for first time walkers is finding the entrance which is approx 1km from the carpark. You take the road from the carpark uphill for 1/2 km until you reach the crossroads stay on your right for another 1/2km and on your R/H/S you will find the entrance marked with a pole with a purple dot. This walk is a circular walk so stay to your right at each intersection and you will finish back at the crossroads which you passed earlier. Take a left here back to the carpark to finish. I have travelled this walk on numerous occassions with different groups of people, and can honestly say that each person on the walk totally enjoyed the experience.
Dominic from Dublin
May, 2013.
The trailhead information indicates a walking time of approx 3 hours but this is a gross underestimation.The trail begins with a steep road/forest trail climb which lasts about 30 minutes to the apparent top. However, some steep uphill sections still lie ahead. The trail surface is fine gravel in places but quite a large part is coverd in sharp chunky stones which is hard on the feet. At one T-junction, well into the hike, a signpost marker was missing which resulted in a 60 minute aimless wander in the woods - we were rescued finally by a Coillte worker! So maps, compass, etc are absolutely necessary.
Overall, the detour we made from the main Limerick - Dublin to take in this loop, was for us a waste of time.
The trailhead information indicates a walking time of approx 3 hours but this is a gross underestimation.The trail begins with a steep road/forest trail climb which lasts about 30 minutes to the apparent top. However, some steep uphill sections still lie ahead. The trail surface is fine gravel in places but quite a large part is coverd in sharp chunky stones which is hard on the feet. At one T-junction, well into the hike, a signpost marker was missing which resulted in a 60 minute aimless wander in the woods - we were rescued finally by a Coillte worker! So maps, compass, etc are absolutely necessary.
Overall, the detour we made from the main Limerick - Dublin to take in this loop, was for us a waste of time.
Emily from Tipperary