Blackwater Way
A long waymarked route through the river valleys and low mountains of Ireland's south, following the Blackwater river through Cork, Tipperary and Waterford.
Route overview
The Blackwater Way is one of Ireland's National Waymarked Ways, running through the Blackwater Valley and surrounding low mountain ranges of Munster, connecting with the Kerry Way and Duhallow Way to form part of a wider walking network across the south of Ireland. The route passes through the Nagles Mountains, the Ballyhoura Mountains and the Knockmealdown Mountains, alternating between riverside farmland and open upland sections, with the market town of Fermoy among the settlements along the way. Waymarking follows the standard Irish yellow walking man symbol, and the route is generally quieter than Ireland's better-known coastal trails, making it appealing for hikers seeking a rural inland alternative.
Trail facts
- Country
- Ireland
- Region
- County Cork / County Tipperary / County Waterford
- Distance
- c. 168 km
- Typical duration
- 7–9 days
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Elevation gain
- c. 3,500 m cumulative
- Best season
- April–October
- Trail type
- Official waymarked way
Safety context
Upland sections can be exposed in poor weather; standard hillwalking precautions apply on the mountain stretches.
Underestimating navigation difficulty on the less-trodden upland sections in poor visibility is a noted local caution.
Highlights
Blackwater river valley scenery Knockmealdown and Ballyhoura mountain sections Connects to the Kerry Way network Quiet rural inland Irish walking
Why find a buddy
The quieter upland stretches and longer trail length are more comfortably tackled with a companion.
Primary source
Explore and prepare
Discover hikes by intent, read the hiking guides, review hiking safety, prepare a BuddyPack, or browse hiking plans.
Route conditions, access, services and transport can change. Verify time-sensitive information before departure.