Claragh Loop (Millstreet)

PLEASE NOTE: ALL DOGS MUST BE KEPT ON LEASH – Dogs off leash here are putting the trail as risk of closure, as landowners are concerned about the impact of livestock. To keep the hills open to walkers it is imperative that landowners and their stock are respected.

Please Note: Harvesting Works taking place along Singleton’s Passage (52.053272, -9.070397) adjacent to the Claragh Loop starting week of November 21st until week of December 18th. Walkers please be aware here and adhere to all safety signage. Apologies for any inconvenience cased. For further information please contact IRD’s Rural Recreation Officer on 029-60633.

Walking
County Cork
4.7/5
11 reviews
Grade Strenuous
Length 10 km
Time 3 hours
Format Loop
Ascent 360 m
Dogs Allowed On a lead
Waymarking Purple arrow
Start Point
Millstreet GAA Community Hall
Finish Point
Millstreet GAA Community Hall
Nearest Town to Start Millstreet
Grid Ref. W 269 902
Lat. and Long. 52.05888, -9.06604

The trailhead for the Claragh Loop starts at in the car park opposite St Patrick's Church in Millstreet. Follow the purple arrows out of town up through forestry and onto the hillside where it circumnavigates Claragh Mountain. It uses laneways, hillside tracks and paths, there is also an option to follow white arrows on a detour up to the summit.

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: Parking in carpark opposite St. Patricks Church in Millstreet.
Services in the area: Shops, service station, cafés, restaurants, bank, ATM, public toilets, museum, tourist information centre.

OSI Maps

OSI Maps

Discovery Series Sheet 79
Public Transportation

Public Transportation

Bus Eireann: 257 Killarney, Co. Kerry to Macroom, Co. Cork (weekdays only)
Irish Rail: Killarney to Millstreet (daily),
Cork Kent to Millstreet (daily – depending on time may have to get connection in Mallow)

11 trail reviews
4.7/5
Write your own review of this trail
5/5
01/30/2022

steve from Cork

We did it on the 28/01/22. It was the first time hearing about it. It’s a great walk with some lovely views. We followed the purple marked trail from the car park and it is well marked out. It took 2 hours and 50 min. I found one section hard enough that was about 20 min into the trek but it was well worth the effort when I got to the top. I would highly recommend it. A good pair of hiking boots I would recommend as it can be slippy especially this time of year.
5/5
06/17/2021

Declan Healy from Cork

Super day out. Free car park across the road from the start of the walk. Public toilets in car park, excellent shop for loading up with picnic supplies across the road from car park. Then the walk is really beautiful, views are breathtaking. Would recommend going to summit. Signposting is really good. You just need to be a little careful to after mile 4 where there are multiple paths, follow the signposts diligently here, but if you go wrong it is easy to recover. Really lovely experience. Will definitely go back.
4/5
07/23/2020

DÁITHÍ Ó CONAILL from Kerry

Have been enjoying this beautiful well-marked route since its inception but would now be concerned at the ugly erosion done by footfall on the mountain. It's rapidly becoming an eyesore even when viewed at a distance. Summit Cairn and enclosure could do with an explanatory display. It was also sad to see where it seems that machinery was driven through the enclosure wall possibly in the process of replacing the Cross. The Cairn is also endangered by the disturbance of the stones.
01/29/2019

Brian from Cork

I did a trail run on this recently, lovely mix of forestry and open mountain, very well signed. The optional hike to the summit is worth the views. You can park at edge of Milstreet because the loop start is only about 500 meters away.
5/5
07/24/2018

Ann from Cork

Very enjoyable and varied walk.Well signposted. Lot of different habitats from deciuous and coniferous woods to open mountaIn, and saw lots of birds including two pairs of ravens and a number of raptors possibly Kestrels. Amazing views from the top, of the Reeks, Dingle peninsula, Knockmealdowns and Galtymore and the back of the Paps as well as over the surrounding countryside. So a lot to see for a relatively easy climb.
4/5
06/01/2015

Sean from Cork

We did this walk yesterday although the day was not promising with a threat of rain, we had a great day out with spectacular views across green fields and rolling hills. The area is magical and offers a contrast to more challenging walks like the Reeks and Mangerton. This is a well signposted walk of hidden valleys and sunlit tracks. The forrested section towards the end of the walk where you rejoin the original loop would benefit from thinning to let more light in
10/25/2014

Markus from Cork

As a reply to previous post, we went there today and there is no bull sign anymore.

It was a nice walk.



07/28/2014

DERRY from Cork

We are sorry the previous reviewer's walk was inconvenienced by the bull warning sign and appreciate that he took the trouble to write the review and alert us to the issue. This sign is not always there and the farmer has now agreed with those responsible for the upkeep of the walk that whenever he needs to put the bull in the field he will contact them in advance so that the trail can be diverted while the bull is there, which will save walkers having to turn back. Again, we apologise for the reviewer's unpleasant experience and hope that these actions will save future walkers finding themselves faced with the same issue.
07/27/2014

James from Waterford

My wife and I attempted this trail today, 27Jul14. A few hundred metres after joining the Duhallow Way, near the southernmost point of the trail, we came upon a stile which had a sign attached to it which read "Beware of the Bull". The sign was relatively new, made of metal and was not homemade. Not being willing to tangle with a bull, we turned back the way we came.

I will not do this walk again, which is a pity as it is beautiful countryside and the trail is very well maintained.
08/13/2013

Doug from Dublin

Hi, Doug here from the National Trails Office. In response to the last reviewers comments about no obvious place in Millstreet for a post walk refreshment we have received the following input from someone involved in the management of the trail..



"there are two Cafe's in Millstreet - Nibbles in West End and Aroma in The Square. If you need something more substantial,there is always hot food available in the Wallis Arms Hotel located in the Square,Millstreet. Please advise others for future reference."

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