The Ballyhoura Trailheads
3 stops · 27 min driving · Limerick · Updated August 2026
Open in Google MapsThis short drive stays inside one working forest: the Ballyhoura hills on the Cork–Limerick border, a 6,000-hectare Coillte block criss-crossed by trails. The three stops are all trailheads, and together they show the range of what these hills offer — a mountain-bike hub with 98km of singletrack, a riverside walking loop with a penal-era Mass Rock, and a quiet car park whose loops climb to a view of the Shannon. Forest roads link them, and clear days reward both the views and the riding. Start at the busiest trailhead to sort bikes or boots, then follow the quieter roads deeper into the forest. Everything is open year-round, though paths hold mud after rain.
1.Ballyhoura Mountain Bike Trails
Ireland's largest singletrack network
The route starts at the busiest of the three trailheads, and the scale here sets up the drive: 98km of singletrack radiates from one car park, with loops from a gentle 7km blue to an expert-only black grade. Non-riders are not left out — three waymarked walking loops start from the same trailhead, and the on-site shop hires bikes and serves coffee.
- Tip
- Parking costs €5 per car with contactless payment only — have your card or phone ready at the barrier.
↓ 6 min drive · 5.9 km
2.Canon Sheehan Loop (Glenanair Forest)
A riverside loop with a hidden Mass Rock
From the bike hub, the mood changes completely. This 7km waymarked walk follows the Ogeen River through the forest, crossing two footbridges that carry you from Cork into Limerick and back again. The most evocative stop on the trail is a well-preserved Mass Rock from penal times, still used for occasional outdoor masses.
- Tip
- The Mass Rock sits along the forestry road section on the right-hand side — easy to miss if you're not looking.
↓ 21 min drive · 17.7 km
3.Ballinaboola Trailhead
Quiet loops and Golden Vale views
The drive ends at the quietest trailhead of the three, where two waymarked loops climb the shoulder of Knockduv Mountain on forest roads and tracks. The payoff on clear days is a sweep across the Golden Vale towards Limerick City and the River Shannon — a long view that puts the whole morning's hills in perspective. Hen harriers patrol the forest here.
- Tip
- The car park is modest in size — arrive early on busy weekends.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a mountain bike to enjoy this route?
No — two of the three stops are walking routes, and the mountain-bike trailhead has three waymarked walking loops of its own, from a family-friendly 2km Nature Trail to a strenuous 11km Blackrock Loop. If you do want to ride, bike hire operates on site with hardtails, full-suspension bikes, e-bikes and gravel bikes.
Where do I pay for parking on this route?
Only the first trailhead charges: €5 per car, contactless payment only, with an Annual Access Card option from coillte.ie. The other two stops are free — one has a free gravel car park in the forest, and the other has free entry with no booking or tickets required. Trail access itself is free throughout.
When are the walking loops at their best?
May, when the woodland floor is carpeted with bluebells, is the standout month for the riverside loop; autumn is also rewarding for woodland colours. On the quiet trailhead, clear days give the best long-range views. Trails can be muddy after rain, so walking boots are recommended year-round.