Duhallow Way
Please note: This trail is currently being upgraded at the Mushera section of the trail ( 52.011803, -8.993739, grid ref: W319 851) and the Paps section of the trail at the Clonkeen side (52.012440, -9.248627, grid ref: W144 853) , walkers can still pass through both sections but please take care. If you require any further information, please contact the Rural Recreation Officer in IRD on 029-60633
It is vitally important that dogs must not be brought on The Shrone/The Paps, Mustera and the Mount Leader Fields areas of this trail (from 52.05075, -9.06831 to 52.04670, -9.06163).
Bringing dogs to these areas is putting the trail at risk of closure as landowners are concerned about the impact on their livestock.
The ongoing presence of dogs will lead to the closure of the trail.
To keep the hills open to walkers, it is imperative that landowners and their livestock are respected.
The Duhallow Way, makes up the first part of the Blackwater Way – a 168 km linear long distance walking route that stretches from the boarders of Country Kerry, across North Cork and into County Waterford, starting in Clydagh and crossing the Derrynasaggart mountain range and following parallel to the River Blackwater.
The Duhallow Way is richly varied in terms of topography and includes contouring sections along mountain flanks with great views, contrasting with views of wild bog, forest roadways, glens, lakes, rivers and stretches of beautiful isolation. The unspoilt landscapes are abounding in plant and animal life, displaying all nature’s colours – emerald green, golden yellow, purple and brown. The Way is an area of rugged beauty, a place which one could explore for days on end, features along the way include 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. There are no significant ascents apart from the climb of 560m meters under Caherbarnagh and the Paps.
Facilities
Parking
Clonkeen Parking W11048 82616
Croohig’s Crossroads W 22732 89579
Millstreet W 26901 90276 or Claragh Road W 26773 89854
Mushera St. John’s Well W 32140 85719 or End of Mushera W 34975 86168
Boggeragh at forestry entrance W 42432 87059
Mossy bed W 45236 87346
Glenaknockane W 44162 88482
French’s Road W 47003 88791 and W 46463 88761
Bweeng W 49960 88589
IT IS VITALLY IMPORTANT THAT DOGS MUST NOT BE BROUGHT ON THE SHRONE / THE PAPS AND MUSHERA AREAS OF THIS TRAIL AT ANY TIME, NOT EVEN ON A LEAD. BRINGING DOGS IS PUTTING THE TRAIL AT RISK OF CLOSURE. LANDOWNERS ARE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE IMPACT ON THEIR LIVESTOCK AND THE ONGOING PRESENCE OF DOGS WILL LEAD TO THE CLOSURE OF THE TRAIL.
DOGS ARE NOT PERMITTED ON MUSHERA, ALSO DUE TO SHEEP WORRYING. TO KEEP THE HILLS OPEN TO WALKERS IT IS IMPERATIVE TO RESPECT LANDOWNERS AND STOCK.
21 kms or 31% of the Way follows local roads.
There may be some wet areas underfoot so it is advisable to wear the appropriate footwear.
Map Guides
The Blackwater Way Map Guide - EastWest Mapping - Out of Print
OSI Maps
Public Transportation
Millstreet:
Bus Eireann: 257 Killarney, Co. Kerry to Macroom, Co. Cork (weekdays only)
Irish Rail: Killarney to Millstreet (daily),
Cork Kent to Millstreet (daily – depending on time may have to get connection in Mallow)
Rathmore:
Irish Rail: Cork Kent to Rathmore (daily – transfer at Mallow),
Killarney to Rathmore (daily)
Bus Eireann: 257 Killarney, Co. Kerry to Macroom, Co. cork (weekdays only)
Denis from Cork
Some markers are just about standing, just. Lack of directional signs from roads as to where you can join the trail.
Some nice scenery albeit spoiled with inappropriate forestry.
Aina from Austria
Mark from United Kingdom
I enjoyed visiting the St John's Well site, below Mushera, and also the historic Knocknakilla stone circle.
Leaving Millstreet, the route from Lough Murtagh area to Awnaskirtaun was slow going with it going across the side of hills, however it made the arriving at Shrone Moor and the foot of The Paps seem all the more special! A lovely area, I did like that.
En route to Shrone Moor, the path at Rathmore / Auniskirtane was heavily overgrown (and wired off by an unhelpful landowner in one spot!) so be prepared.
A visit to Shrone is one for another time, I headed to Clonkeen / Loo Bridge for the night where I had accommodation already booked - this involved tracking the Clydagh River which was a relaxing section and on a quiet wide road...
Mary from Cork
Els from Belgium
Frank from Cork
Brian from United Kingdom
However two areas of difficulty. First one is between Bweeng and Millstreet the trail does not go over Seefin any more - I think due to forestry works - and there is a long, largely uphill road section until you meet the carpark with the milestone distances to Cork and Millstreet.
A more serious problem appears between Millstreet and Shrone. When you turn left at Coohig's Cross the signposting to leave the road again up towards Lough Murtagh is loose and very badly positioned. In addition the landowner who lives in the house where the trail turns up has gone to great round to barricade off the trail at this point. It was only when we saw further direction posts further up the hill that we knew we were on the correct track, but we had to disentangle a lot of interconnected wire meshing which blocked off path up the hill.
Don't know why this was done, but walkers should be aware that they may have to do something similar to get to the absolutely wonderful ridge walk and views along Caherbarnagh.
PBarry from Waterford
P from Waterford
Just finished the section between Bweeng and Millstreet. Some very pleasent walking as long as your prepared for water and mud (and climbing over obstacles due to the recent bad weather). In general very well marked with plenty of regular confidence markers. However impossible to follow the trail around Inchamay due to forestry operations and no temproary signage this almost resulted in us turning back but found the trail again after an hour. Also bring a stick as quite aggressive and unrestrained dogs at houses near Glantane close to Millstreet.
L.O'C from Galway
Mushera to Seefin section also gorgeous but can be wet. Lovely for a short walk with the family, can make a loop out of it if you're happy to walk on the main road.
Will be back to do more!