Keeper Hill Trek

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Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 10.2 miles / 16.4 km
Duration: Half day

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Keeper Hill Trek & Ballyhourigan Woods Loop Map.jpg

Overview: Keeper Hill is situated in the Slieve Felim mountain range in North Tipperary and is just 15km east of Limerick City. The Gaelic name for the hill is Sliabh Coimeálta – the mountain of guarding! At a height of 694m, Keeper Hill is the highest mountain in the Shannon area and the 117th highest in Ireland. The ‘hill’ is wrapped in a forestry area of 3,300 hectares. The 300 hectare summit is designated as a National Heritage Area, considered important for the habitats present or species of plants and animals whose habitat needs protection. This loop overlaps with a short section of theS lieve Felim Way - a 44km waymarked route which travels from Murroe in County Limerick to Silvermines in County Tipperary. En-route it passes through the small but pleasant village of Toor and onward across the shoulder of Keeper Hill. While the loop (marked with purple arrows) explores the lower shoulders of Keeper Hill, the ‘hardy’ walker will enjoy incorporating the ‘trek’ to the summit (the red arrows).

Tips: Directions to Trailhead
From the M7 Limerick-Dublin motorway, take Exit 28 and follow the R503 to Newport. At the cross in the centre of Newport village turn left, and continue to follow the Trailhead signs for 8km to reach the trailhead at Doonane.

Trailhead: Doonane Car Park, Toor, Co. Tipperary
Services: Newport (8km), Co. Tipperary
Distance: 16km return
Time: 4 - 4hrs 30mins
Ascent: 550m
Difficulty: Moderate
Terrain: Forestry tracks and woodland trails
To Suit: Medium levels of fitness
Min. Gear: Sturdy walking boots, waterproofs, rucksack, fluid, snacks and mobile phone

Points of Interest

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Doonane Trailhead

Starting from the car park follow the purple (and red) arrow northward along the laneway. The red arrows are for the longer trek to the top of Keeper Hill. After almost 2km the loop reaches a crossroads - turn right here and after 100m enter Ballyhourigan Woods via the metal barrier.

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Ballyhourigan Woods Trail

After almost 2km the loop reaches a crossroads - turn right here and after 100m enter Ballyhourigan Woods via the metal barrier.

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Ballyhourigan Woods/Keeper Hill Junction

Continue to follow the purple arrows along the forestry roadway. Note that you are also following yellow arrows which are for the long-distance Slieve Felim Way. Continue to follow the red arrows for the trek to the top of Keeper Hill. You are about 4km from the summit at this point.

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Keeper Hill Summit

Congratulations - you've reached the highest mountain in the Shannon Region at 694m! Views from here are spectacular of the lower lying farmland and forestry of the Slieve Felim area. The mountains around you are the Silvermines (479m) to the north/north-east, Knockane (411m) to the east, Mauhersliabh or Mother Mountain (543m) to the south east, and Cullaun (464m) to the south. The town of Nenagh is to the north and Limerick City is to the south west. You can also see Lough Derg in the distance and the River Shannon as it flows into Limerick and beyond.

An alternative route back to the Trailhead is to return to the Keeper Hill Junction and turn left instead of right. This follows the remainder of the Ballyhourigan Woods loop back to Trailhead (4.5km).