Lough Derg Blueway - Castlelough to Killaloe
Paddling Trail · Tipperary and Clare
Lough Derg Blueway - Castlelough to Killaloe is a 12 km intermediate waymarked linear route in Tipperary and Clare, starting near Garrykennedy.
Note from the trail operator
Difficulty: Suitable for strong intermediate level paddlers with a guide. Note that most of this trail is into the prevailing wind with little shelter.
As recorded in the register on 2026-08-13. Check with Waterways Ireland South Shannon Operations Division before travelling.
Grade
| Activity | Grade | Difficulty | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canoeing/Kayaking/Paddling | Intermediate | Moderate | 4 hours |
Getting there
Starts at Castlelough Trailhead, near Garrykennedy.
Finishes at Killaloe Paddle Access Site 1.
- Trailhead coordinates
- 52.88729, -8.39533
- Irish Grid reference
- R 73441 81867
The National Trails Register's own latitude and longitude fields are empty for all 1,186 trails on it. This trailhead comes from Sport Ireland's separate Trailheads dataset, matched to this trail on its register ID.
About the trail
You move away from the lake and towards the river by travelling left (south west), as you depart Castlelough. Follow the shore which is lined by a narrow strip of trees until the river narrows further and turns due south (7.3 km). You can continue along this east bank or experienced paddlers may cross to the western bank of the river (1 km wide), towards the site of what was Brian Boru’s fort. The river subsequently narrows considerably where you cross the river to the west bank, be aware of the water traffic, and find the entrance to the Killaloe canal (11 km). You travel down the Killaloe canal where there may be a small water barrier which can be portaged on the right via a small slip. Then travel approximately 500 meters under the main bridge and then exit at the low canal bank on your left just after the public car park.
Who manages it
Waterways Ireland South Shannon Operations Division
Waterways Ireland South Shannon Operations Division
Conditions and closures change. The operator is the authority on both, not this page.
Elsewhere
Trails nearby
Measured trailhead to trailhead, in a straight line.
- Arra Mountains Loop 906 m away · 12.4 km trail
- Lough Derg Blueway - Garrykennedy to Youghal Village and Little Tamona 3.9 km away · 4.5 km trail
- Graves of the Leinster Men Looped Walk 4.0 km away · 5.6 km trail
- Lough Derg BLueway - Mountshannon and Cloonoolia Bays 5.2 km away · 6.6 km trail
- Lough Derg Blueway - Mountshannon to Holy Island 5.2 km away · 5 km trail
- Lough Derg Blueway - Twomilegate (Ballycuggeran) to Annacarriga Loop 7.2 km away · 3 km trail
Common questions
How long is the Lough Derg Blueway - Castlelough to Killaloe?
12 km, recorded as a linear route on Sport Ireland's National Trails Register. Sport Ireland estimates 4 hours.
How hard is the Lough Derg Blueway - Castlelough to Killaloe?
Sport Ireland grades it Intermediate, with an overall difficulty of Moderate. Grades are set against national criteria, so they are comparable with other registered trails.
Where does the Lough Derg Blueway - Castlelough to Killaloe start?
Starts at Castlelough Trailhead, near Garrykennedy. The trailhead is at 52.88729, -8.39533 (Irish Grid R 73441 81867).
Who manages the Lough Derg Blueway - Castlelough to Killaloe?
Waterways Ireland South Shannon Operations Division. They are the authority on current conditions and closures, not this page.
More in Tipperary and Clare
Trail data from the Sport Ireland National Trails Register, licensed under CC BY 4.0. Trailhead coordinates from the companion Trailheads dataset. Snapshot taken 2026-08-13.