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The Blackwater Way is a (Avondhu) 109km route that is richly varied in terms of topography and features, and includes contouring sections along mountain flanks with great views, passing by ancient monuments such as standing stones, stone circles and cairns, and more modern monuments such as cillins (infant burial grounds) and holy wells.
Along the way the towns of Fermoy and Mallow and the villages of Kilworth, Ballyhooly and Mourneabbey are encountered
The route consists of quiet tarmac roads, forestry tracks, bog roads and moorland and field paths. Although these off-road sections are never far from a public road, on higher ground the route frequently passes through quite isolated mountain areas of forestry.
This is a Moderate Trail. Trails will have steeper gradients, may have rough underfoot conditions, with protruding roots and natural features. Strong footwear recommended.
109km
Ballard Waterfall is located just outside Kilworth along the Blackwater Way.
Knockananig Reservoir, located just outside Fermoy has spectacular view of the valley. You can see the Galtees, Cregg Castle and Castlehyde, which had been the ancestral home of Douglas Hyde who was the the first President of Ireland and now owned by Michael Flatley of Riverdance fame.
On gaining higher ground, walkers are rewarded with some excellent views over the Blackwater Valley, which extend as far as the Ballyhoura Mountains and Galtee Mountains.