Ballard Waterfall Trail

Please park your car in the spacious car park at Mountain Barrack as parking is not permitted by the barrier at the forest entrance as this is in constant use.

Walking
County Cork
4/5
7 reviews
Grade Moderate
Length 5.5 km
Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Format Loop
Ascent 60 m
Dogs Allowed No
Waymarking Blue arrow on white background
Start Point
Mountain Barrack
Finish Point
Mountain Barrack
Nearest Town to Start Kilworth
Grid Ref. R 875 092
Lat. and Long. 52.234549, -8.183347
Get Directions

The trail brings the walker on roadway, forest track and path passing through forest of mixed tree species, with a spur to the beautiful hidden waterfall on the Muchnagh River which eventually flows into the River Blackwater. Otter, salmon, brown trout, brook and river lamprey can all be found in the Muchnagh River and the trail has a variety of flora and fauna including the usual woodland animals. As well as the stunning waterfall, the trail offers excellent views of the surrounding countryside and hills including Skeheen Mountain.

Maps and other information

Ballard Waterfall Trail Map

Trail Management

Avondhu Blackwater Partnership, Tel: 022-46580, Email: info@avondhublackwater.com

Facilities

In Kilworth: Car parking, shops (including full deli counter in one), mobile coffee shop, take-away, pub
At trailhead: Car parking

OSI Maps

OSI Maps

Discovery Series Sheet 74
Public Transportation

Public Transportation

Bus Eireann and Local Link bus services

7 trail reviews
4/5
Write your own review of this trail
5/5
09/14/2020

Thea-Iren from Clare

Very well sign posted. Waterfall itself is a highlight of the trail. Wonderful secluded spot. There is challenging climb after the waterfall. Take your time and breaks going up this slope.Shame that the storms have taken down a lot of trees along the trail but it is all cleared up.
3/5
09/02/2020

Elaine from Cork

Most of the trail is on a country road but the trail takes you into a deep v shape valley which is well managed and very pretty. Lovely waterfall with nice decking viewing platform. Not suitable for wheelchairs. Charlie from Cork's description of the trail is very concise.
4/5
08/03/2020

Lia from Cork

Lovely little trail and very quiet. Enjoyed the walk and not too difficult or long.

Charlie’s review and instructions are really helpful so if you’re thinking of walking the trail have a read of his review for directions.
4/5
07/19/2020

Yvonne Beardsworth from Cork

Great views well signposted and we were blessed with lovely weather
01/10/2019

Ruth@Wildaboutnature from Cork

Lovely trail, on road for a good bit but fairly quiet. Loved walking through the fields and forests down to the waterfall. A good example of what Ireland can do when landowners and walking bodies cooperate!
4/5
06/04/2018

Will from Limerick

Brilliant trail, very well posted and a perfect little car park. Kids loved the waterfall but the last leg of the trail is on a busy ish road. Will definitely be back.
4/5
07/13/2016

Charlie from Cork

First of all you have got to set your phone to Google maps and enter" Mountain Barrack ". This is your starting point. There's a car park across the road. As you face the white building with Mountain Barrack on it, you are going to head off to your RIGHT. You are going by the blue arrows on the trail posts. Care to be taken at both start and finish of this walk, as you are walking on main roads. About 1 km you will come to your 2nd trail indicator. Turn down to your Right again..... this is a country Boreen. Continue 'til you arrive at a Metal Bridge. As per usual when you come to Electrical Fences DO NOT TRY TO STEP OVER THEM. There is a plastic sleeve at one end that you can use to remove this wire... MAKE SURE TO REPLACE THIS WIRE BACK TO ITS ORIGINAL POSITION.. You are now into the woods and the waterfall is very well sign posted ... There are 2 timber bridges to cross over the water so no need to get your feet wet. There are timber steps to the base of the waterfall... ENJOY... After that continue to follow the blue markers on the posts. This will bring you around on the loop of this trail but again back to a main road. MAINTAIN ROAD SAFETY AT ALL TIME'S ..... and it's about 1.5 km back to the Mountain Barrack car park. Hopefully this review will be helpful.

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