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From hikes in the Comeragh Mountains to an historical trek through Dungarvan's past, get a taste for the surrounding area with a relaxing walk
There are many nice walks in close proximity to the town
Colligan Woods Walk
Distance: 3.5m/5.8km
How to follow the route;
- Colligan Woods walk takes the walker through the beautiful woodland that grows along the valley of the river Colligan, where there is a wide range of tree species.
- The walk takes approximately an hour and a half .
Cruachan Walk
Distance: 6m/
How to follow the route:
- Cruachan Walk is beautiful on a clear day, as breathtaking 360 degree views of the coast from Youghal to Tramore, the Knockmealdowns to the north-west and the Comeraghs to the north can be seen.
- The walk is over paths, forest roads and quiet country roads.
- The walk takes approximately 3 hours to complete
Famine Walk
How to follow the route:
- The Famine Walk is a lovely short walk which takes the walker to the Famine Graveyard, which is situated close to the Seanachie Pub just 6km outside Dungarvan. This is really a mass grave where the bodies of large numbers of people who died during the Famine of the 1840s are interred. The bodies, mostly from the town of Dungarvan, were carried to the site by horse and cart.
- The graveyard has been cleared and marked with a commemorative monument. The walk is 2.2miles in distance.
Brickey River and Kilnafarna Hill
How to follow the route:
- The Brickey and Kilnafarna Hill is located (towards Waterford) on the Dungarvan by-pass (N25).
- After crossing the appropriately named Twomile Bridge, take the road going right to begin the walk.
Comeragh Mountains Walk
How to follow the route:
- Comeragh Mountains Walk is located on the remarkably varied Comeragh mountain range stretching from the coast near Dungarvan inland as far as Clonmel.
- The Nire Valley reaches in to the heart of the range, not only offering good access, but also featuring an annual walking festival, introducing hundreds of walkers to the joys and challenge of walking in these mountains.
- Searching for the various loughs and deep hollows can make for some interesting explorations.
- The Munster Way runs nearby, crossing the hills between Clonmel and Newcastle.
- Heading southwards towards Dungarvan, there are some fine rounded hills, such as Seefin and Crohaun; while a network of forest tracks offer easier walking.
Knockaun Nire Valley Walk
How to follow the route:
- The Knockaun Nire Valley walk is located about from Clonmel on R671 to Dungarvan. Turn left at Ballymacarbry and continue for 5km.
- The site lies in a sheltered rock enclave at the foot of the Comeragh mountains overlooking the Nire river.
The Connigar
This is a short and bracing walk that offers visitors an abundance of both birdlife and wildflowers. The walk takes visitors from the western end of Dungarvan Harbour across Helvick Head Bay to a few hundred metres of Dungarvan Town Centre. Receding ice sheets from the Ice Age deposited great banks of gravel upon which accumulated large volumes of sand, forming the 44 acre area now known as the Connigar. Mudflats to the north of the Connigar are a popular feeding area for large numbers of Waders and geese. From October to May, brent geese are in abundance, as are curlews and wimbrels
Distance: 6.5 km (4.2 miles)
How to follow the route:
- There is a track leading down the Backbone of the Connigar, meandering through the rushes, gorse and brambles that are home to a rich variety of small birdlife.
- The Connigar begins to narrow after a short distance down this track and the sea becomes visible on both sides.
- There have been several attempts to stem erosion of the Connigar recently and proof of that is visible by the boulders and railway sleepers across some of the banks.
- Straight ahead, the town of Dungarvan spreads out set against the horizon of the Monavullagh Mountains.
- To the right is Dungarvan Bay, between Ballinacourty Lighthouse and Helvick Head.
- As visitors pass the old cottage, the Connigar begins to widen once more.
- This was the home of the last inhabitant of the Connigar.
- At the end of the Connigar, take a break and take in the view.
- To return to the carpark, take the same route back.
