Blackwater Way - Duhallow
IT IS VITALLY IMPORTANT THAT DOGS MUST NOT BE BROUGHT ON THE SHRONE / THE PAPS AREA OF THIS TRAIL AT ANY TIME, NOT EVEN ON A LEAD. BRINGING DOGS IS PUTTING THE TRAIL AT RISK OF CLOSURE. LANDOWNERS ARE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE IMPACT ON THEIR LIVESTOCK AND THE ONGOING PRESENCE OF DOGS WILL LEAD TO THE CLOSURE OF THE TRAIL.
DOGS ARE NOT PERMITTED ON MUSHERA, ALSO DUE TO SHEEP WORRYING. TO KEEP THE HILLS OPEN TO WALKERS IT IS IMPERATIVE TO RESPECT LANDOWNERS AND STOCK.
The Blackwater Way (the combined Duhallow and Avondhu Ways) is a 168 kilometre linear long distance walking route that stretches from the borders of west County Waterford across north County Cork and into the County of Kerry, following the valley of the River Blackwater. It is part of the European E8 route. The Way is a richly varied one in terms of topography and features, and includes contouring sections along mountain flanks with great views, passing by ancient monuments such as standing stones, stone circles and cairns, and more modern monuments such as cillins (infant burial grounds) and holy wells. Along the way the towns of Fermoy and Millstreet and the villages of Kilworth, Ballynamona and Bweeng are encountered. Although the off-road sections are never far from a public road, on higher ground the route frequently passes through quite isolated mountain areas of forestry. Although about 28% of the route is on roads that carry fast traffic, the balance consists mainly of quiet tarmac roads, forestry tracks, bog roads and moorland and field paths. Some sections can be wet and muddy in wet weather. Until the last 15 kilometres during which there is a climb of 560m under Caherbarnagh and the Paps, there are no significant ascents, although over the whole route there is an aggregate ascent of 3,700 metres.
Trail Management
IRD Duhallow, Tel: 029-60633
Facilities
Car parking
At Start - on road side in Bweeng
At End - None in Shrone
IT IS VITALLY IMPORTANT THAT DOGS MUST NOT BE BROUGHT ON THE SHRONE / THE PAPS AND MUSHERA AREAS OF THIS TRAIL AT ANY TIME, NOT EVEN ON A LEAD. BRINGING DOGS IS PUTTING THE TRAIL AT RISK OF CLOSURE. LANDOWNERS ARE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE IMPACT ON THEIR LIVESTOCK AND THE ONGOING PRESENCE OF DOGS WILL LEAD TO THE CLOSURE OF THE TRAIL.
DOGS ARE NOT PERMITTED ON MUSHERA, ALSO DUE TO SHEEP WORRYING. TO KEEP THE HILLS OPEN TO WALKERS IT IS IMPERATIVE TO RESPECT LANDOWNERS AND STOCK.
21 kms or 31% of the Way follows local roads.
There may be some wet areas underfoot so it is advisable to wear the appropriate footwear.

Map Guides
The Blackwater Way Map Guide - EastWest Mapping - Out of Print

OSI Maps

Public Transportation
At Start: Daily express bus and limited local service Check with Bus Eireann.
At End:None
Aina from Austria
Mark from United Kingdom
I enjoyed visiting the St John's Well site, below Mushera, and also the historic Knocknakilla stone circle.
Leaving Millstreet, the route from Lough Murtagh area to Awnaskirtaun was slow going with it going across the side of hills, however it made the arriving at Shrone Moor and the foot of The Paps seem all the more special! A lovely area, I did like that.
En route to Shrone Moor, the path at Rathmore / Auniskirtane was heavily overgrown (and wired off by an unhelpful landowner in one spot!) so be prepared.
A visit to Shrone is one for another time, I headed to Clonkeen / Loo Bridge for the night where I had accommodation already booked - this involved tracking the Clydagh River which was a relaxing section and on a quiet wide road...
Mary from Cork
Els from Belgium
Frank from Cork
Brian from United Kingdom
However two areas of difficulty. First one is between Bweeng and Millstreet the trail does not go over Seefin any more - I think due to forestry works - and there is a long, largely uphill road section until you meet the carpark with the milestone distances to Cork and Millstreet.
A more serious problem appears between Millstreet and Shrone. When you turn left at Coohig's Cross the signposting to leave the road again up towards Lough Murtagh is loose and very badly positioned. In addition the landowner who lives in the house where the trail turns up has gone to great round to barricade off the trail at this point. It was only when we saw further direction posts further up the hill that we knew we were on the correct track, but we had to disentangle a lot of interconnected wire meshing which blocked off path up the hill.
Don't know why this was done, but walkers should be aware that they may have to do something similar to get to the absolutely wonderful ridge walk and views along Caherbarnagh.
PBarry from Waterford
P from Waterford
Just finished the section between Bweeng and Millstreet. Some very pleasent walking as long as your prepared for water and mud (and climbing over obstacles due to the recent bad weather). In general very well marked with plenty of regular confidence markers. However impossible to follow the trail around Inchamay due to forestry operations and no temproary signage this almost resulted in us turning back but found the trail again after an hour. Also bring a stick as quite aggressive and unrestrained dogs at houses near Glantane close to Millstreet.
Denis from Cork
Some markers are just about standing, just. Lack of directional signs from roads as to where you can join the trail.
Some nice scenery albeit spoiled with inappropriate forestry.