Ballyhoura upgrades amenities in anticipation of a busy 2022
A suite of improvements have taken place in Ballyhoura Country throughout the past year, including upgrades of the outdoor classroom at Griston Bog, Ballylanders.
Additional and challenging mountainbiking routes have also been installed, new walking trails, and newly-erected nature and wildlife signage on the Ballyhoura Nature Trail have contributed to the area’s readiness for the 2022 season.
Ballyhoura Country, at the crossroads of Limerick, Cork and Tipperary, has announced the upgrades - some of which are already completed - to their outdoor amenities, in anticipation that next year will be even busier than 2021.
The Ballyhoura Mountain Bike Trails is Ireland’s most extensive mountain bike trail network, with road climbs, tight twists-and-turns, off- roads, ups- anddowns and much more. Its 98km of trails are set in the forests nestled in the Ballyhoura Mountains, rich with native wildlife. Coillte have graded the final descent to the trailhead as a gentle blue track, however, plans are afoot to develop a more challenging red and black descent for thrill-seekers.
WALKERS PARADISE
Seven trails have been added in 2021 to the walker’s paradise that is Ballyhoura, allowing the walker to enjoy one of 16 way-marked looped walks in the region, ranging from ‘novice’ to ‘expert’. This year, for the first time, local trails have been added to the Government Walks Scheme, meaning farmers and landowners will have access to funding to maintain the trails. Furthermore, a 15km Slieve Reagh Loop Walk has been developed. Beginning in Kilfinane, the loop brings to a total of three walks that begin in Kilfinane.
Griston Bog, the ‘outdoor classroom’ outside Ballylanders, has recently been upgraded with a new classroom, boardwalk, dipping pond, wheelchair accessible toilets and extended parking. The wildlife bog is one of five ‘Outdoor Classrooms’, the others being in Doneraile Park, Mitchelstown Caves, at Lough Gur and Croker’s Bee Farm, Ballyneety.
Other loops due to be upgraded are the Castlegale Loop at the Darby’s Bed Walk in Galbally, which will receive new nature boards, picnic benches, signage and path upgrades.