Mount Hillary - Mount Hillary Loop

If bringing your dogs, please clean up after them.

Walking
County Cork
3.7/5
9 reviews
Grade Moderate
Length 10.6137 km
Time 3 hours 30 minutes
Format Loop
Ascent 290 m
Dogs Allowed Yes
Waymarking Red arrow
Start Point
Forestry entrance car park, Knightfield, northern slopes of Mount Hillary
Finish Point
Forestry entrance car park, Knightfield, northern slopes of Mount Hillary
Nearest Town to Start Banteer
Grid Ref. W 42335 97093
Lat. and Long. 52.12304, -8.84276

Follow the red arrows: This is a peaceful loop on forestry roads and woodland trails and includes a steady climb between spruce, fir and pine trees to Mount Hillary’s summit. Spectacular views across the pains of Duhallow to the Mullagharierk, Ballyhoura, Galtee and Derrynasaggart Mountains and Boggeragh Hills can be seen from the top.

Maps and other information

Trail Management

Alannah O’Callaghan (RRO) Tel: 029 60633
Out of office hours contact: Alannah O’Callaghan Tel: 086 0849 955

Facilities

Parking: At trailhead.
No services at trailhead. Public toilets at train station in Banteer.

OSI Maps

OSI Maps

Discovery Series Sheet 80
Public Transportation

Public Transportation

Bus Eireann: route 243
Irish Rail: Killarney to Banteer (daily),
Cork Kent to Banteer (daily – depending on time may have to get connection in Mallow)

9 trail reviews
3.7/5
Write your own review of this trail
4/5
09/13/2023

Vedran from Cork

Love the trail (not many markings but we do tend to go off-road wherever possible) - you won't see breathless landscapes but you will get decent hike with kids. Plenty of flora and fauna diversity for small explorers.
4/5
01/26/2022

Billy from United Kingdom

I try to get this trail in each time I'm home. It's grand out. Not very well marked. It's better done clockwise IMO. There's not much fanfare at the top as the views at that point are blocked in almost all directions by trees. There are some alternative steeper paths up which I like to try every now and again. Dog droppings all over the path... A picnic table would be delightful as mentioned by another reviewer. It's bleak in a lot of places but I kind of like that.
2/5
11/04/2019

Eimear from Westmeath

As per a comment two years ago, parts of this track are poorly marked. There is one area in particular towards the end where we had no idea whether to go straight or left, but thankfully took the correct path. We were also pretty dissapointed to find there was not a single picnic bench anywhere to sit down and had to enjoy our lunch sitting on a dirt road, and of course no toilet facilities- not that this is unusual for Ireland. I didn't find it the nicest trail, there was very little beautiful scenery until the very end, but in saying that we didn't do the full red loop, only the medium blue loop due to not enjoying it. Although the weather wasn't particularly bad, we were quite miserable. Perhaps best to do in the summer only. I would not recommend
4/5
08/23/2018

Ger from Westmeath

A very pleasant walk through very peaceful woodland.The red route is recommended as it breaks off the forest road to a a well signposted cross country path. The views on the red route are outtanding, the only county in Munster I could not see was Waterford, and perhaps the Commeraghs were in the distant haze.
5/5
06/18/2018

Marie from Limerick

Wonderful trail. Very well sign posted. We took the Red route. The steps near the start was the most challenging part of the journey. The 3rd km is downhill followed by 2 -3 km where you have an uphill walk on good forest paths. The journey over the mountain path is pleasant and the views are fab. Would highly recommend it.
07/12/2017

Grainne from Cork

One of my frequent walks, highly recommendable, beautiful view of the trees on the trail in. Not particularly tough terrain, you can stick to the forrest tracks, so really accessible all seasons I'd say. Nice views over surrounding regions. Worth a jaunt out.
08/01/2016

Peter from Cork

Very poorly marked. Did the red route and signs disappeared on way down from summit. Had to use a lot of guess work and took wrong path options once or twice.The map was useless.
3/5
04/14/2015

James from Cork

A magnificent walk. Myself and partner took the purple route (10km) which was fairly easy. There are a couple of steep parts but these don't last long and the hardest one is over near the beginning of the walk. We found the notice boards with little snippets of information on the local wildlife, greenery, and even local people excellent and stopped to read each one. There are some beautiful views of the countryside and villages and towns spread amongst the vast shades of green but likewise there was a sense of enclosure among the tall trees which forces the closeness and beauty of nature upon you. We went in the late morning/early afternoon on a lovely day but I had read somewhere that completing this walk close to twilight is spectacular as the neighbouring towns and villages begin to light up. Perhaps we will return to experience this
01/08/2012

Pat from Cork

Did this Jan 08th 2012. Am new to trail walking so it was a good test for me. It was so peace full and some great views. Some slightly steep hills but not for long and it was downhill all the way last 1/4. Make sure you have boots as some mudy bits if wet. Took me 2hrs 45mins at a gentle walk. A great day out.



Have you done this trail?
Tell us what you think