Contae Chill Chainnigh

County Kilkenny outdoors

38 trails, 3 forests, 6 parks, gardens and islands, 5 heritage sites in County Kilkenny — with this week's best day to get out, from Met Éireann's forecast.

38 trails & walks 3 forests & woodlands 6 parks, gardens & islands 5 heritage sites

This week outdoors

Best day outdoors: Wed, 28 Oct — dry by day, breezy, up to 14°C

Weather warnings could not be checked just now — see met.ie/warnings.

Wed, 28 Oct14° / 10°Scattered clouds20 km/h WSW · 0.1 mm by dayGreat day outdoors
Thu, 29 Oct13° / 11°Grey cloud30 km/h SSE · 0.2 mm by dayGreat day outdoors
Fri, 30 Oct13° / 10°Grey cloud25 km/h SSW · 0.1 mm by dayGreat day outdoors
Sat, 31 Oct13° / 5°Sun with grey cloud15 km/h SSW · 0.4 mm by dayGreat day outdoors

Forecast: Met Éireann · outdoor rating by Winsome Planet

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Trails & walks in County Kilkenny

Waymarked walks, greenways and long-distance ways that start in or pass through County Kilkenny, from Sport Ireland's register.

TrailBrandon Hill Summit Walk6.5 km3 hrChallengingLoopThis trail follows forest tracks and hillside paths and is uneven underfoot in places. It takes walkers to the summit of Brandon Hill, County Kilkenny's highest point, with an unrivalled 360-degree panorama over the…

TrailCastlecomer - Ardra Loop4.3 km1 hr 30 minEasyLoopThis pleasant walk follows wide compacted tracks and narrower paths through the trees as it winds its way through part of the old Wandesforde demesne encircling the two lakes and passing the site where Ardra Castle once…

TrailCastlecomer - Captains Loop2.2 km1 hrEasyLoopThis pleasant walk follows wide compacted tracks through mixed woodlands encircling the lower lake as it winds its way through part of the old Wandesforde demesne and is named after a former owner of the estate, Captian…

TrailCastlemorris - Fern Loop2.3 km1 hr 15 minEasyLoopThis loop takes you through the pleasant tree lined forest roads of what was formerly the wooded demesne of Castlemorris House, passing by the old stone outbuildings of the original house. .

TrailCastlemorris - Holly Loop4.7 km1 hr 30 minModerateLoopOn minor road, forest road and forest track, this loop takes you through the fine woods of Castlemorris House's former demesne, passing by the old stone outbuildings of the original house.

TrailCastlemorris - Pheasant Loop7 km2 hr 30 minModerateLoopOn minor road, forest road and forest track, this loop takes you through the fine woods of the former demesne of Castlemorris House. You will pass by the old Gate Lodge, stone outbuildings and a stableyard.

All 38 in County Kilkenny

Brandon Hill Summit Walk6.5 km · 3 hr
Castlecomer - Ardra Loop4.3 km · 1 hr 30 min
Castlecomer - Captains Loop2.2 km · 1 hr
Castlemorris - Fern Loop2.3 km · 1 hr 15 min
Castlemorris - Holly Loop4.7 km · 1 hr 30 min
Castlemorris - Pheasant Loop7 km · 2 hr 30 min
Coille an Fhaltaigh Millennium Park - Green Trail2.4 km · 1 hr 30 min
Coille an Fhaltaigh Millennium Park - Red Trail3.2 km · 2 hr
Freshford Loop5.6 km · 1 hr 30 min
Gathabawn Loop11.3 km · 4 hr
Gathabawn Short Loop6 km · 1 hr 30 min
Grennan Loop6.6 km · 2 hr
Jenkinstown Wood - Jenkinstown Wood Loop3.3 km · 1 hr 30 min
Jenkinstown Wood - Walled Garden Loop2 km · 1 hr
O'Gormans Lane4.4 km · 1 hr
Pilltown - Mountain Grove Loop2.4 km · 1 hr 30 min
Tory Hill - Frochans Loop3.3 km · 1 hr 45 min
Tory Hill - Sliabh Greine Loop3.5 km · 1 hr 10 min
Tullahought - Kilmacoliver Summit Loop3.8 km · 1 hr 15 min
Tullahought - Kilmacoliver Woodland Loop2 km · 50 min
Woodstock Waterfall Loop4.4 km · 1 hr 30 min
South East Greenway6.2 km · 20 min
South East Greenway6.2 km · 1 hr
Urlingford Islands Loop Walk6.5 km · 2 hr
Windgap - Bearna Breac Loop6.5 km · 1 hr 45 min
Woodstock - Ladies Loop Walk3.4 km · 1 hr
Woodstock Loop Walk4.7 km · 1 hr 15 min
Brandon Hill Loop15.7 km · 5 hr
Nore Valley Walk - Inistioge to Thomastown Section10.8 km · 3 hr
Nore Valley Walk - Kilkenny to Bennetsbridge Section8.2 km · 2 hr
Castlecomer - Arboretum loop1.9 km · 45 min
Castlecomer - Ladies Loop1.5 km · 30 min
East Kilkenny Cycle Route62.6 km · 4 hr
North Kilkenny Cycle Loop23.9 km · 2 hr
North Kilkenny Cycle Route80.5 km · 5 hr
South Kilkenny Cycle Loop43.1 km · 3 hr 30 min
Windgap - Village Loop1.7 km · 45 min
South Leinster Way103.6 km · 5 days

Forests & woodlands in County Kilkenny

Coillte forest parks and recreation woods in County Kilkenny, with the trails inside them and where to park.

ForestAn Doire LiathCastlemorris3 trailsParking

ForestCoill an Fhaltaigh2 trailsParking

ForestCorclachJenkinstown2 trailsParking

Parks, gardens & islands in County Kilkenny

Parks, gardens, islands and more beaches in County Kilkenny, from Fáilte Ireland's attractions — nature places only.

Nature spotBallyrafton WoodParkBallyfoyleBallyrafton Wood is a public wood about half way between Kilkenny and Castlecomer, in County Kilkenny. The wood boasts riverside forest walks, picnic tables, seats and a car park.

Nature spotCoille an Fhaltaigh Millennium ForestParkKilmanaghCoille an Fhaltaigh Millennium Forests is the largest of the 16 Millennium Forests that were planted in Ireland in the late 90's. It is a mixed woodland and is located about 5.8 km south west of Kilkenny Town.

Nature spotGáirdín an GhortaGardenDunnamagganGáirdín an Ghorta is a garden of remembrance for the Great Famine. Located in Newmarket, County Kilkenny, the garden is a metaphor for Irish history and aims to honour all those who lived through and perished in the famine.

Nature spotKilfane Glen and WaterfallGardenKilfane Glen and Waterfall is a tranquil oasis found in County Kilkenny, about 6km north east of Thomastown. The Romantic-era garden was developed in the 1790s and includes a woodland paths and contemporary art created specially for the site.

Nature spotKilkenny Castle ParklandGardenThe Kilkenny Castle Parkland boasts both formal and informal gardens. Set in Kilkenny City, the estate overlooks the Nore River and includes mature trees and shrubs as well as an ornamental lake. All areas are free of charge.

Nature spotWoodstock Gardens and ArboretumGardenInistiogeWoodstock Gardens and Arboretum are situated in the picturesque village of Inistioge in south County Kilkenny, with magnificent views over the River Nore Valley to Brandon Hill.

Heritage sites in County Kilkenny

Monuments to visit and world heritage in County Kilkenny, from the National Monuments Service and the Heritage Council.

Heritage siteDearc FhearnaDunmore CaveCaveMohilHistory and geology blend at Dunmore Cave to give an interesting and unique situation. Consisting of a series of chambers formed over millions of years, the cave contains some of the finest calcite formations found in…

Heritage siteMainistir SheireapúinJerpoint AbbeyReligious houseJerpointabbeyAn outstanding Cistercian abbey founded in the second half of the 12th century. The church with its Romanesque details dates from this period. In the transept chapels the visitor can see 13th to 16th century tomb…

Heritage sitePrióireacht CheanannaisKells PrioryReligious houseRathduff (Madden)Approaching Kells Priory today, with its walls and castellated towers, it looks more like a fortified settlement than a religious house. The priory was founded in 1193 for Augustinian Canons by Geoffrey fitz Robert…

Heritage siteCaisleán Chill ChainnighKilkenny CastleCastleDukesmeadows (Shillelogher By., St. Patrick's Par.)A 12th century castle remodelled in Victorian times and set in extensive parklands which was the principal seat of the Butler family, Marquesses and Dukes of Ormonde. Due to major restoration works, the central block…

Heritage siteSt. Mary's Church, GowranChurchGowranThis collegiate church, was built in the late 13th century on the site of an earlier monastery. It was served by a "college" - clerics who lived in a community but who did not submit to the rule of a monastery. They…