the blackwater way

The Blackwater Way comprises two sections: Avondhu and Duhallow. This varied trail includes the lower slopes of the Knockmealdown Mountains. It drops through the green lanes and boreens of sparsely populated hill farms to the historic settlements and rich farm and woodland of the Balckwater Valley.

It rises again onto the slopes of the Nagle Hills, where there are superb views over the Munster Plains, then to Shrone, just north of the Paps Mountains, which offers a contrast of wild bog, mountain, forest roadways, glens, lakes, rivers and stretches of beautiful isolation. The area abounds in wildlife and wildflowers in their season.

Route Details: Cloghen, Araglin, Kilworth, Fermoy, Killavullan, Mallow, Ballinamona, Bweeng, Nad, Millstreet, Ballydaly and shrone.

Total Distance: 168km/104 miles. Longest Stage: Nad to Millstreet - 30km/19 miles. Highest Point: Knockclugga - 570m 1868ft - alternate route marked for poor weather.