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.  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.

Parking Info:

No of car spaces: 60
Car park opens: 8am
Car park closes: 9pm (Mon-Fri) 8pm (Sat-Sun)
Parking fee price: Eur 5
Parking options: Restricted hours apply

Trail Details:

Castlepook Loop
Recreation Site: Ballyhoura Mountain Bike Trails
Trail Start Point: Car Park
Length: 51kms
Time: 6hrs
Degree of Difficulty: Severe   (View Trail Grade Definitions below)
Metres Climb:  1100
Attributes:  Loop Trail (Returns to Starting Point)
Finish Point:  Car Park
Trail Way marking: red

Garrane Loop
Recreation Site: Ballyhoura Mountain Bike Trails
Trail Start Point: Car Park
Length: 35kms
Time: 4hrs
Degree of Difficulty: Difficult   (View Trail Grade Definitions below)
Metres Climb: 630
Attributes: Loop Trail (Returns to Starting Point)
Finish Point: Car Park
Trail Way marking: white

Greenwood Loop
Recreation Site: Ballyhoura Mountain Bike Trails
Trail Start Point: Car Park
Length: 6kms
Time:  45 mins
Degree of Difficulty:  Moderate   (View Trail Grade Definitions below)
Metres Climb: 110
Attributes: Loop Trail (Returns to Starting Point)
Finish Point:  Car Park
Trail Way marking: green

Contact details:

Ballyhoura Failte
Kilfinane,
Co. Limerick.
Ireland
 +353 63 91300
 +353 63 91330
http://www.ballyhouramtb.com/

Cycling Route Grading Definitions

Easy
Gradients - Shallow
Surface - Compacted surface 2-3 m wide and forest roads
Suitable for - Occasional cyclists and families

Moderate
Gradients - Moderate with some steep sections that may have to be walked
Surface - Compacted surface 2-3 m wide with up to 10% on rough tracks under 2m wide
Suitable for - Novice cyclists and families

Difficult
Gradients - Steep
Surface - Width below 1m wide with a range of surfaces including rough narrow tracks
Suitable for - Good cyclists with mountain bikes

Severe
Gradients - Steep with drop offs
Surface - Mostly on rough narrow tracks
Suitable for - Expert mountain bikers