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Lough Derg Way Walk

39.77 miles (64 km)

Open Streetmap Follow the Lough Derg Way from Limerick City to Lough Derg on this long distance walk.
The route runs for about 64km and includes some lovely waterside sections along the River Shannon and its canals.
On the way you will pass Clonlara, O'Briensbridge, Ballina and Killaloe, where you can visit the historic St Flannan's Cathedral.
The route finishes at Lough Derg in County Donegal near the border with Northern Ireland. The lake is best known for St Patrick's Purgatory, a site of pilgrimage on Station Island in the lake.

Lough Derg Way Open Street Map Open Streetmap - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

In Limerick there's the popular Limerick 3 Bridges Walk which takes you along the river to several of the city's historic highlights.
Just south of Limerick there's Lough Gur to explore. The photogenic horseshoe-shaped lake includes walking trails, picnic areas and ancient sites of historical and archeological interest.
A few miles north east of Limerick there's the climb to Keeper Hill in the Silvermine Mountains. There's excellent views from the summit and a mountain bike trail to try here.
On the route you can try the O'Briensbridge Riverside Walk. This popular loop walk takes you along both the river and the Errina Canal.
To the west you can pick up the Limerick Greenway in Rathkeale. The popular cycling and walking route runs along a disused railway line from Rathkeale to Abbeyfeale via Newcastle West.
To the south west of Limerick there's the charming village of Adare where you can enjoy a walk along the River Maigue and visit the historic Desmond Castle.

Photos

Lough Derg - geograph.org.uk - 2517647

Lough Derg

Lough Derg Way near Garrykennedy - geograph.org.uk - 2663140

Lough Derg Way near Garrykennedy

Walkers on the Lough Derg Way - geograph.org.uk - 2028630

Walkers on the Lough Derg Way

Lough Derg Way - geograph.org.uk - 2019025

Lough Derg Way

University Bridge, Limerick (geograph 2026189)

Crossing the River Shannon on the University Bridge, north east of Limerick

River Blackwater at Gilloge Bridge - geograph.org.uk - 2026146

River Blackwater at Gilloge Bridge

Cloonlara Bridge - geograph.org.uk - 4085262

Cloonlara Bridge

County Clare - Killaloe Cathedral - 20210816143649

Killaloe Cathedral, County Clare

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

Lough Derg Way.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Download Linked File)