Site Name:

National Grid Reference

R 656 186   Understanding grid references

Ordnance Survey Ireland Discovery Series:

73

Location

The trails are located in the Ballyhoura mountains which cover south Limerick and north Cork. They are accessed from a trailhead near Ardpatrick in County Limerick.  Download location map

How do I get there?

The car park and trailhead for these trails is located 2 kms south of Ardpatrick village in Co. Limerick off the R512 road. From Limerick: take the N20 south through Charleville and continue 2kms further on to Ballyhea. Turn left just after Ballyhea church and drive for 10kms to reach Ardpatrick village. Turn right and continue for 2.5 kms. Take the turn to the right, signposted Ballyhoura Forest, the car park is 1km up this road. From Dublin: take the M7 south to Limerick and join N20. From Shannon: take the N18 south to Limerick and join N20. From Cork: take the N20 to Mallow, follow the N72, signposted Waterford through the town, shortly outside the town rake a left onto the N73 signposted Mitchelstown, travel for approx. 13 km, turn left onto a minor road, signposted Ardpatrick. The car park is approx. 10km up this road. Alternatively, from Cork, take the M8 as far as exit 13, signposted Mitchelstown. Continue onto the Mitchelstown bypass, take the 2nd exit at the 3rd roundabout, signposted Kildorrery, in Kildorrery village take a right onto the R512, continue on approx. 11.5km, the turnoff for the carpark will be on your left.

Ballyhoura Mountain Bike Trails - Cork Trail(s)

• Greenwood Loop - Cork
• Mountrussell Loop - Cork
• Garrane Loop - Cork
• Streamhill Loop - Cork
• Castlepook Loop - Cork
• Download Map - All Trails

Ballyhoura Mountain Bike Trail Network is the largest trail network of it’s kind in Ireland and provides many options for off-road cycling in the mountains.  Forest road climbs lead you into tight twisty singletrack with loads of ups and downs, tight turns and technical rocky bits. The trails range from the moderate 6 kilometre Greenwood loop to the demanding Castlepook loop, over 50 kilometres in length!  Tough forest road climbs are rewarded with sweeping fast descents guaranteed to leave you smiling!

The trail system, designed by one of the world leaders in the sport, is an exciting network constructed to give a challenging and rewarding ride.  Each of the loops here presents riders with a combination of narrow singletrack and boardwalk sections and also has sections of forest road climbs over short and long distances. The trails are laid out in 5 loops and each loop leads onto the next.  The loops are waymarked in one direction – just pick the colour of the loop you want to ride and follow the arrows.  There is more information out on the trails at the start of each loop.

Please ensure you are equipped fully to undertake this adventure sport and respect other trial users at all times.  The trail can be quite exposed on the upper slopes and can be very windy in poor weather – dress accordingly.

Have fun!

Contact Info