Trailhead: Devil’s Bit Car 12. SLIEVE FELIM WAY Trailhead: Clare Glens Amenity 14. LOUGH DERG WAY Area, North Tipperary Park, Barnane, Templemore, The Lough Derg Way is a spectacular linear route that stretches from Limerick City, to Killaloe/Ballina (26km) Co Tipperary Stretching from Murroe in County Limerick to Silvermines Village in County Tipperary, a total distance of Services: Murroe (5km) and from Killaloe/Ballina to Dromineer (43km). The route is located along the banks of the River Shannon, the approximately 44km, the Slieve Felim Way takes you into the very heart of beautiful, rural countryside. The Way Services: Templemore (4km) old Shannon navigational canal and the eastern shores of Lough Derg. The terrain is a mix of riverbank, canal provides walkers with a series of stunning views from different mountains along the route. The total aggregate Distance/Time: Nature Loop bank, forest track, open countryside, old roadway and minor road. The Lough Derg Way explores some of the Distance/Time: 5km / 1hr ascent over the route is less than 900m, and there are no significant climbs. Commencing with the Slieve Felim (Green Arrows) 2km / 30mins - fascinating heritage of the old Limerick Navigation system and showcases some of the finest scenery around 30mins – 2 hours range to the south, valleys and hills run east-west in the general area. The 2,279 ft (694m)-high Keeper Hill – 1hr Glen Loop (Purple Arrows) Lough Derg. the highest mountain in the Shannon Region – comes into view as you move northwards through the Mauher 4km / 1-1hr 30mins Ascent: 430m/200m Slieve Hills, which predominately lie to the east of the walk. The northern section is dominated by the renowned Directions to the Lough Derg Way Trailheads Difficulty: Easy Difficulty: Moderate Silvermines Mountains and presents stunning views of Lough Derg and beyond. From different vantage points The Lough Derg Way is best accessed at one of five key trailheads, which provide information map boards along the way, views of 4 counties are possible – Tipperary, Limerick , Clare, and Offaly – and you can also see Terrain: Woodland Paths and car parking. The trailheads are located reasonably close to other services and facilities, such as shops, Terrain: Sandy laneways, sections of the lordly River Shannon as it winds its way to the sea. accommodation, restaurants and public transport. The trailheads are located as follows: Nature Loop To Suit: Medium level of forestry tracks and hillside Although the trail is signposted in either direction, it is generally agreed that the starting point from Murroe2 kandm Trailhead 1 – Limerick City paths Easy fitness walking towards Silvermines offers the most rewarding experience. Ascent 30m Limerick City is located approximately 25km from Shannon Airport and 37km from Ennis. This trailhead is Woodland paths Minimum Gear: Sturdy located at the Limerick City Tourist Information office at Arthur’s Quay in the centre of Limerick City. To Suit: Medium levels of Directions to the Slieve Felim Way Trailheads Clare Glens Loop fitness The Slieve Felim Way is best accessed at one of three key trailheads, which provide information map boards4k mand walking boots, waterproofs, Trailhead 2 – Clonlara, Co. Clare Easy rucksack, fluid, snacks, mobile car parking. These are located reasonably close to other services and facilities, such as shops, accommodation,Ascent 60m Clonlara is located on the R463, approximately 10km from Limerick City. This trailhead is located in the centre Minimum Gear: Sturdy Woodland paths phone. walking boots, waterproofs. restaurants and public transport. The trailheads are located as follows: of the village. Rucksack, fluid, snacks and Trailhead 1 – Murroe Trailhead 3 – Killaloe, Co. Clare and Ballina, Co. Tipperary mobile phone The village of Murroe, in County Limerick, is approximately 16km from Limerick City on the R506 route. A detailed Killaloe-Ballina is located on the R463 and is 28km from Limerick City. There are information mapboards for the map board is located at the start point in the centre of the village. Note: A spur to the top of Lough Derg Way on both sides of the river. There is also a Tourist Office located on the Killaloe side. Devil’s Bit Mountain is available Trailhead 2 – Toor Trailhead 4 – Garrykennedy, Co. Tipperary to walkers who wish to walk Toor Village is located a distance of 6.5km north from Tooreenbrien Bridge off the R503. At Toor Village, turn right to Newport Garrykennedy is located on the shores of Lough Derg, off the R494 near Portroe. The trailhead is located in the to the summit. and travel almost 1km along the public roadway to the handball alley, and turn left onto the trail again. village, adjacent to this very popular harbour and marina. Trailhead 3 - Silvermines Trailhead 5 – Dromineer, Co. Tipperary Silvermines is located on the R499, off the M7 from Limerick to Nenagh, where the Slieve Felim Way finishes at Dromineer is a renowned sailing and cruising centre on the car park near the Church. Lough Derg. The village is located off the N52, on the S TAR T to R495, approximately 10km from Nenagh. Mo HE R E roe Trailheads: Limerick City, Clonlara, Killaloe/ Ballina, Garrykennedy and Dromineer Trailheads: Murroe, Toor and Services: Available at each trailhead Silvermines World-class walking trails in Tipperary in trails walking World-class Distance: Approximately a 69km long-distance Services: Murroe, Newport, Toor, walking trail Rearcross and Silvermines 13. CLARE GLENS LOOP WALKS Time: Approximately 2 to 2½ days. Each 11. DEVIL’S BIT LOOP Distance: Approximately 44km, long section could be comfortably walked in distance walking trail The Clare Glens is a wooded area along the banks of the Clare River, which separates counties Limerick approximately half a day and Tipperary. The scenery is breathtaking, with wild dense forest combined with the calm rushing of Legend has it that not only did the devil take a bite out the mountain, he broke a tooth while doing it – Time: Approximately 2 days the crystal clear waters. The Glens consist of a picturesque red sandstone gorge through which the Difficulty: Moderate to difficult which now stands as the Rock of Cashel. Locals will tell you that the summit of Devil’s Bit Mountain (478m) Difficulty: Moderate to difficult Clare River flows and displays numerous waterfalls. Terrain: The Way rises to an altitude of 417m provides views of 8 surrounding counties! The 5km marked loop utilises forest and hillside paths to provide a at Tountinna, in the Arra Mountains, between Terrain: The Way follows a mix of Directions to trailhead pleasant and rewarding hill walk. Although the loop does not ascend the summit, walkers have the option of Killaloe/Ballina and Garrykennedy taking a short spur to the top should they so wish. forest road, pathway and grassy track, Start from the village of Murroe (Moroe) on the R506 between Limerick City and Cappamore. (Take Exit 28 from the M7 Motroway). Follow the signs for Clare Glens which take you north out of Murroe. Follow Directions to trailhead with a steep climb to pass above To Suit: People of medium levels of fitness Silvermines this road for approximately 5km to reach the trailhead at a car parking area on your left. Both loops or higher From Templemore, follow the R501 in the direction of Nenagh and Borrisoleigh. After approximately 3km, start and finish here. [Note: The trailhead is signposted from Murroe]. there is a right turn signposted for Devil’s Bit. Continue to follow the signs on minor roads until you reach To Suit: Average Fitness, Casual Minimum Gear: Sturdy walking boots, the trailhead. A-B. Leaving the trailhead both loops enter the glens via a metal kissing gate at the left of the bridge Walkers over the Clare River. Turn left onto a narrow trail following the purple (and green) arrows - the green waterproofs. Rucksack, fluid, snacks and mobile A-B. Starting from the car park follow the purple arrow through the kissing gate and onto a sandy laneway. phone Minimum Gear: Sturdy walking arrows are for the shorter Nature Loop. The loop gains ground away from the river and stays to ‘upper’ Continue uphill to reach forestry where you turn left at a kissing gate and, almost immediately, turn right into paths to pass a stone footbridge, before veering right and downhill to reach the riverbank at a wooden forestry. Follow the ‘green track’ uphill to reach the Rock Tower (on your left) and join a forestry road. This is boots, waterproofs. Rucksack, fluid, Notes: As this is a linear point-to-point walk, footbridge. The Nature Loop turns right here, crosses the Clare River via a wooden footbridge and this may require a car pick up to be organised the point from where the loop ‘proper’ begins - you will return to here later. Ahead of you is a Mass Rock and snacks and mobile phone returns to the trailhead. at the finish points. Detailed sectional maps of shrine, and uphill the white cross that marks the summit of Little Rock. You will get to it later - for now, turn Note: As this is a linear point-to-point The Glen Loop proceeds straight ahead. TRAILS WALKING WALKING left. the route are available to download from walk, this may require a car pick up to B-C. The longer Glen Loop takes the walker uphill again and follows woodland paths through mature www.ShannonRegionTrails.ie B-C. Continue to follow the purple arrows along the forestry road, and enjoy the views south to the Galtee be organised at the finish point. woodlands to reach another footbridge near the Clare Falls. This footbridge marks the farthest point of Mountains. As it ascends gently it sweeps right to give you fine views northward into Counties Laois and the loop.