Ballyhoura – Canon Sheehan Loop 

7.6km, loop, moderate

Kicking off in the Glenanaar Forest, the Canon Sheehan Loop starts with a good stretch through the thick woodland, which is a sea of bluebells in May. After crossing the Ogeen River and following more forestry paths, you pass briefly into Limerick before weaving back into Cork, on a route that takes you through some of the best scenery in the region. Towards the end, you get a great view of the Blackwater Valley and Knockmealdown Mountains, but you also pass by some interesting ancient ruins – keep an eye out for the natural well in the forest and the mass rock towards the end of the loop.  

Where to eat and stay around Doneraile 

Thatch and Thyme is just a 10-minute drive from the trailhead in Kildorrery, and the ideal spot for a pre- or post-walk bite. There’s a real emphasis on local produce, with BLTs made with McCarran’s streaky bacon and a Bluebell Falls goats cheese tart on the menu. They’re also open for breakfast, so you can tuck into a plate of cinnamon French toast, local eggs on soda bread or smoked Ballycotton salmon on toasted brioche.  

The village of Doneraile is just over ten minutes from the hike by car, so call into the Townhouse Doneraile for quiche, soup or a slab of homemade cake. It’s close to the Doneraile Court and Estate too, so you can take a stroll through the grounds afterwards, or pop into the CaToCa Fine Food and Giftware for afternoon tea.   

Mitchelstown is a 20-minute drive from the Glenanaar Forest, so it makes for a handy base if you’re overnighting in the area. In the heart of the town is Barnahown, a renovated 18th century farmhouse advertised as a ‘low impact luxury’ B&B. The elegant house is powered by self-generated energy, uses water drawn exclusively from its own well and eschews all single use plastics, while the stylishly comfy rooms feature locally crafted furniture, Irish soaps and even Irish-made hairdryers.   

Ballinwillin House is just outside the town on an 18th century estate, with B&B rooms and a farm with a herd of resident wild boar and fallow deer. There’s a short meditative walk through their gardens, too. Clongibbon House is in the middle of the town, with a bar and restaurant on site.  

Ballyhoura - Black Rock Loop

10km, loop, strenuous

Fancy a walk that feels like a proper challenge? The Black Rock Loop takes in a short section of the Ballyhoura Way, a 90km long distance trek that takes about four days to complete. Here you get a taste of the route, without taking on the whole adventure. And this loop still checks off some beautiful scenery – you’ll ascend Seefin Mountain and (on a clear day) get a view of all six counties in Munster. The route includes sections of forestry and mountain climbs, but you’ll also get to see some archaeological sites along the way.  

Where to eat and stay around Ardpatrick 

Ardpatrick is a five-minute drive from the Ballyhoura Greenwood Forest, and it’s where you’ll find Spruce and Willow, a café by day and a bar by night. The daytime menu features brunch classics like avocado toast and buttermilk pancakes, with pub grub like chicken kievs, beef stew and burgers in the evening. There’s often live music, too. A great option for an overnight is the Deebert House Hotel in the handsome medieval town of Kilmallock, where Margaret O’Sullivan and her team provide a great welcome and comfortable, modern rooms.  

Photo credit: @spruce_and_willow

Ballyhoura – Attychraan Loop 

3.6km, loop, easy 

Sometimes you don’t want to head out on a massive hike – you just want a nice, easy loop that you can complete in a couple of hours. The Attychraan Loop is just that, but what it lacks in length it more than makes up for in beautiful scenery, including a great view of the Galtee Mountains. The loop starts in the Galtee Woods, following woodland trails down towards the Funshion River, which marks the border between Limerick and Tipperary. You’ll cross into the Premier County before returning back to the start point along quiet roads and trails through the forest.  

You can also explore the area around Kilbeheny on a yoga forest walk led by Caroline Conroy. These meditative ambles cover around 4km and over the course of two hours include gentle stretches and meditations as well as touching on a range of alternative therapies like Reiki and Colour Therapy. 

Where to eat and stay around Kilbeheny 

You can’t beat a gooey chocolate brownie and a pot of tea after a walk, and there are any number of sweet treats on the counter in Blueberries Bakery & Café, just over the border in Mitchelstown. There’s more of the same in O'Callaghan’s Café and Delicatessen, where you can also get sandwiches, paninis and more filling fare like shepherd’s pie and roast chicken. The Praline Pastry Shop and Café is another good spot for homemade cakes and delicate pastries.  

Photo credit: @praline.pastryandchocolate

Built as a hunting lodge in the 19th century, the Kilcoran Lodge Hotel is about a 10-minute drive from Galtee Woods and a handy spot for other hikes in the area. There’s also a leisure centre on the grounds, so you can have a swim, soak in the hot tub or unwind in the sauna after your hike.   

Castlegale Loop

3.8km, loop, moderate  

There are plenty of hikes to choose from around the Kilfinane area, like the Castlegale Loop in Galbally, right in the heart of Ballyhoura country. With a slight elevation as you climb the Darragh Hills, this loop has some great views of the local area as well as sections in mixed broadleaf and conifer woodland. If you want a bit more of a challenge, the Darragh Hills Loop is 7.7km long and follows some of the same route, before branching off into a tougher climb.

Ballyorgan Loop

12.5km, loop, strenuous 

There are a few options from this trailhead, but the Ballyorgan Loop is a great option if you want a real adventure. The route takes you past pretty churches, along the banks of the Keale River, then veers off into forestry before you reach the pile of stones that is Castle Gale, with great views beyond. There’s a good blend of scenery along the way, which makes it a great introduction to Ballyhoura. For a less strenuous walk, the Molanna Loop also starts from the Ballyorgan trailhead and is a smidge shorter, but still a decent hike at 9.5km.  

Or what about a spot of Shinrin Yoku, or forest bathing? This meditative Japanese practice involves walking through meadows and woodlands in a spirit of mindfulness. Led by Eibhlín Walsh Boland, these guided, meditative walks with Forest Bathing Walks Ireland explore the Combaun Woods that border the Keale River and last around three hours. 

And, when you’re done, you can retreat to the traditional confines of Daly’s, a very welcoming pub at the end of the Keale River Walk in Glenroe, Darragh Bridge.

Paradise Hill Loop   

7.2km, loop, strenuous 

Kicking off in the village of Anglesboro, the highest village in the Galtee Mountains, the Paradise Hill Loop has some tough climbs and challenging stretches but the views are worth the effort. Before you get to the tougher bits, you’ll pass through rich areas of woodland with moss covered trees, then head up the hill along an old road once used to transport turf from Temple Hill above.

Where to eat and stay around Kilfinane 

After all that, you’ll need a good feed. Clancy's Bar & Istabraq Restaurant is in Bruff, about a 30-minute drive from Anglesboro, and 25 minutes from both Ballyorgan and Galbally. It’s a classic pub where you can get fillers like steak and chips, stir fries and burgers, plus there’s occasional live music too. It’s a similar set up in Gallahue’s in Ballylanders, with roast Galtee lamb, salmon or a roast chicken dinner on the menu. If you fancy a carvery or a burger, head to Molly’s in Kilfinane, just a seven-minute drive from Ballyorgan.  

An ideal spot if you’re planning a few hikes in the region, Ballyhoura Mountain Lodges has nine timber cabins right in Ballyorgan, with three bedrooms, full kitchens and wood burning stoves inside. There are outdoor picnic tables too, so you can cook up a feast and enjoy it among the trees.