Blackwater Way, Clogheen - Shrone, 168 km, 10 days

The Blackwater Way is part of the European Long Distance Path 8 and also of the Irish Coast to Coast Walk. The start of this pan European trail, the E8, is at Dursey Head on the Beara peninsula along the Beara Way. The Coast to Coast Walk starts in the town of Cahirciveen, on the Iveragh peninsula, county Kerry, on the popular Kerry Way. The Beara Way and then the Kerry Way are the first stages of the E8. They lead to Killarny, Lough Leane with the mountains of Kerry beyond.

This is where our Blackwater Way (almost) starts. From Killarny it's only a small distance to the start of this trail: Shrone. Hence, you will roughly follow river Blackwater, renowned for its salmon. The valley is surrounded by hills, and most of the time the path stays on the, often forested, flanks of them. Other parts of the path follow the river or pass farmland.

Like all Irish trails, you must expect some road walking. A few muddy, wet or overgrown sections must be mastered too. Accommodation is available in the villages and towns called upon during the walk.

The Blackwater way is actually a combination of two trails:

• Duhallow Way, 67 km, 3 days, Bweeng - Shrone
• Avondhu Way, 94 km, 7 days, Clogheen - Bweeng

Back to the E8 and Coast tot Coast Walk: the Blackwater Way finishes in Clogheen. From here, the East Munster Way continues. Eventually, the E8 and Coast to Coast Walk reach Dublin.