Castlemorris Walking Trail

Directions to Trailhead Starting in Kilkenny City take the M9 Motorway south in the direction of Waterford. Take Exit 10 and proceed in the direction of Newmarket. After 3km take a right turn onto the R701 and proceed 1km. The trailhead is on the right hand side of the road and the entrance to the wood is on the left hand side. Note: The trailhead is signposted from Knocktopher

Distance/Time ……………………….7km/2hrs-2.5hrs

High/Ascent ……………………………………160m/90m

Difficulty ………………………………………..Easy

Terrain Forestry roads, grassy path and country roads To Suit Above average levels of fitness Minimum Gear Walking boots, rain gear, fluids and mobile phone Grid Ref. OS Sheet 68 S489 357

Castlemorris Loop
A-B Starting from the car park opposite the Grand Gates, enter Castlemorris Woods and pass the Gate Lodge to reach a metal stile. Cross the stile to join a forestry road and follow the purple (and green and red) arrows. The green and red arrows are for shorter loops. Follow the forest road for over 1km to reach an archway through which stone outbuildings (which were part of the courtyard of Castlemorris House) are visible. The green loop turns left here – you turn right following the purple and red arrows. B-C The loop now sets off to further explore the expansive estate of 200 acres and after approximately 1km joins a minor public road where the red turns left. Turn right here. C-D Now you start a long ascent through the townland of Coalpitparks (passing some large houses on your left) before entering woodland again. After 500m you reach a T-junction where the loop turns left for the return part of the journey. D-E A downhill trek of approximately 1km takes you to a junction with a surfaced roadway where you turn right. After 300m at a right bend you rejoin the red loop as it emerges from the forestry on the left. Turn right here, staying on the surfaced roadway. E-F After approximately 200m both loops (red and purple) turn left and enter Castlemorris Wood by way of a metal barrier. At this point you are just short of Aghaviller Church and Round Tower – 200m along the surfaced road. If you decide to visit the site, remember to return to this junction. F-A Only 500m along this final section of the loop you rejoin the green loop as it comes in from the left. Another 500m takes you to a crossroads of forest tracks where you turn left onto a narrow winding track to emerge on a forrestry road only 200m from the Trail head