The surrounding villages of Ardpatrick, Ballyorgan Charleville, Doneraile, Kilfinane, and Kilmallock will offer a warm welcome and a mountain biker friendly range of accommodation to suit individuals and large groups alike.
Greenwood Loop. This is the first of five loops in the trail system. This trail takes you through the lush hillsides underneath Seefin Mountain and Black Rock and is used as the outward and inward legs for the rest of the trail network. Length is 6 kilometres.
Mountrussell Loop is a more technical and physically demanding version of the Greenwood Loop and follows this as far as Waypoint 1, from where the trails become a bit more technical, narrower, rockier and steeper with more climbing and more descending. Length is 17 kilometres.
Garrane Loop ventures westwards from Waypoint 3 taking in some long and fast single track descents as well as some long and demanding climbs on forest roads, tracks and single track trails. Length is 35 kilometres.
The Streamhill Loop provides an initial detour from the Garrane Loop giving a longer ride before rejoining to climb higher into the mountains. It detours again from the Garrane Loop higher up and starts some of the most demanding of the trails here with fast descents and longer climbs. Length is 41 kilometres.
Castlepook Loop this is the ultimate loop of the Ballyhoura trails, being the longest and most demanding. It goes right to the southern fringes of the forest and presents you with the biggest climbs and most rewarding descents. Be prepared!
The Trails:
The trail system presents riders with a combination of narrow single track 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.
Facilities:
Facilities at the trail head include map boards, car parking, toilets, showers and bike wash facilities. Trail friendly accommodation, bike rental and good food are available locally.
Parking Information:
Car park open: Monday to Friday 08:00-21:00 | Saturday and Sunday 08:00-20:00. There is a Parking fee- refer to the website for additional details.
