Trail Kilkenny Cycle Routes
Trail Kilkenny, an award winning, non-profit company, has developed a range of walking and cycling routes and trails around County Kilkenny. Visit www.trailkilkenny.ie for self guided cycling routes and loops that bring you from the city and towns deep into the countryside and allow you to explore Kilkenny. They provide detailed instructions of distances, safety notices, what you need to bring as well as information on all the twists and turns along the way. The below are Trail Kilkenny’s cycling routes:
East Kilkenny Cycle Route (Self Guided)
Visiting: Gowran, Graiguenamanagh, Thomastown and Bennettsbridge
This route is a scenic cycling route linking the most historic and culturally significant towns in east Kilkenny. The towns are perfectly placed along the route to stop for lunch or a cup of coffee. The route uses quiet roads and laneways and provides stunning views of Brandon Hill, the River Barrow and the River Nore.
Distance/Time: 64km
Time: 3 to 4.5 hours
Terrain: Rolling country roads and laneways
Traffic: Mainly on quiet roads, caution advised at one way system in Thomastown
To Suit: Experienced, moderately fit self-sufficient cyclist
Minimum Gear: Spare tube, pump, liquids, food, mobile phone.
Visit: www.trailkilkenny.ie
North Kilkenny Cycle Loop (Self Guided)
Visiting: Kilkenny City, Jenkinstown Park, Dunmore Cave, Kilkenny City
Leaving The Parade in Kilkenny city centre, cycle down the hill and turn right at the traffic lights onto Rose Inn Street and past the Tourist Office. Cross John’s Bridge and continue to the traffic lights. Turn left at the junction and continue past Padmore & Barnes. Follow the road along Greensbridge Street and go straight through the junction with New Street onto Greens Hill. Follow this road and keep left to take the Bleach Road. Follow this route for 6km until the junction at Hennebry’s Cross. Turn right and then take the first exit off the roundabout onto the N78. After 3km turn left at Ballyrafton Wood and continue for 1km until you meet a T junction. Turn right and take an immediate left up a laneway to Jenkinstown Park. Return back to the main road and turn left, after 1.5km turn right and follow the road until it rejoins the N78. Turn left and after 1km turn right towards Dunmore Caves.
Trailhead: The Parade, Kilkenny
Distance/Time: 27km
Time: 1.5 to 2.5 hours
Terrain: River side roads and rural laneways
Traffic: Caution when cycling along N78 and turning onto Dunmore Cave laneway
To Suit: Leisure self-sufficient cyclists
Minimum Gear: Spare tube, pump, liquids, food, mobile phone
Visit: www.trailkilkenny.ie
North Kilkenny Cycle Route (Self Guided)
Visiting: Castlecomer, Freshford and Tullaroan
This route is the most challenging in the Trail Kilkenny portfolio of cycling trails. It winds its way through rural North Kilkenny bringing the cyclist through beautiful villages like Freshford and Castlecomer.
Distance/Time: 82km
Time: 4.5 to 6 hours
Terrain: Quiet country roads and laneways suitable to hybrid type bikes
Traffic: Mainly on quiet roads joining N roads in sections. Caution for farming machinery at certain times of the year
To Suit: Experienced, moderately fit self-sufficient cyclist
Minimum Gear: Spare tube, pump, liquids, food, mobile phone
Visit: www.trailkilkenny.ie
South Kilkenny Cycle Loop (Self Guided)
Visiting: Bennettsbridge, Stonyford and Kells
Leaving the The Parade, Kilkenny, cycle down the hill and turn right at the traffic lights onto Rose Inn Street past the Tourist Office. Just before John’s Bridge turn onto Canal Walk along the River Nore. Cross Ossory Footbridge and continue up ramp to the ring road(N10) follow cycle lane for 300m. At the roundabout take 3rd exit (R712), proceed for 200m and take the right turn at the petrol station onto Sion Road. Follow this road for 6km and take the left turn to Dunbell and continue for 4km until you come to the Dunbell cross roads. Turn right and continue straight for 3km until you meet a T-junction with the Gowran Road. Turn right and follow the road for 4km to the village of Bennettsbridge. In Bennettsbridge cross the bridge and take an immediate left past Nicolas Mosses Pottery. Follow this road for 9km to Ennisnag. At the T-junction turn left and cycle 2km to the village of Stoneyford. As you come into the village, take the first right and cycle uphill in the direction of Kells. Passing Kells Priory, turn right at the crossroads in Kells and continue across the bridge. Take an immediate right and travel 2km along until you take a left turn. Cycle for 2km and take a right at the next T-junction. Follow this route for 3km and take a right at the next T-junction. Turn right at the T-junction and continue to the next T-junction and take a right. After 2km you meet the N10 at Danesfort, turn left in the direction of Kilkenny City. Cycle for 8km and straight through two roundabouts, continue into town and at the next roundabout past the petrol station take the first exit. Follow the cycle path for 400 metres and take the second exit off the next roundabout. Continue along Nuncio Road until you come to a T-junction and take a left back to the Parade.
Trailhead: The Parade, Kilkenny
Distance/Time: 41km
Time: 2 to 3 hours
Terrain: Country roads linking the main towns in south Kilkenny Traffic. Mainly country roads crossing N and R roads. Caution advised when entering towns.
To Suit: Experienced, moderately fit self-sufficient cyclist
Minimum Gear: Spare tube, pump, liquids, food, mobile phone
Visit: www.trailkilkenny.ie
