Mount Hillary - Father Murphy Loop
Walking Trail · Cork
Mount Hillary - Father Murphy Loop is a 7.9 km moderate waymarked loop in Cork, starting near Banteer.
Grade
| Activity | Grade | Difficulty | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walking | Moderate | Moderate | 2 hours 30 minutes |
Getting there
Starts at Forestry entrance car park, Knightfield, northern slopes of Mount Hillary, near Banteer.
- Trailhead coordinates
- 52.12304, -8.84276
- Irish Grid reference
- W 42335 97093
- Ordnance Survey sheets
- Discovery Series Sheet 80
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.
Public transport
Bus Eireann: route 243 Irish Rail: Killarney to Banteer (daily), Cork Kent to Banteer (daily – depending on time may have to get connection in Mallow)
About the trail
Follow the blue arrows: This is a peaceful loop on forestry roads and woodland trails and includes a steady climb between spruce, fir and pine trees through the townland of Coolroe Beg before its descent back to the trailhead. The route includes 240m of ascent, with a highpoint of 300m.
- Waymarking
- Blue arrow
- Dogs
- Yes
Who manages it
IRD Duhallow
Alannah O’Callaghan (RRO) Tel: 029 60633 Out of office hours contact: Alannah O’Callaghan Tel: 086 0849 955
Conditions and closures change. The operator is the authority on both, not this page.
Trails nearby
Measured trailhead to trailhead, in a straight line.
- Mount Hillary - Knightfield Loop 0 m away · 2.9 km trail
- Mount Hillary - Mount Hillary Loop 0 m away · 10.6 km trail
- Island Wood - Red Trail 12 km away · 2.3 km trail
- Ballyhoura Way 13 km away · 89 km trail
- Lovers Leap 15 km away · 0.8 km trail
- Boherbue Looped Walk 16 km away · 4 km trail
Common questions
How long is the Mount Hillary - Father Murphy Loop?
7.9 km, recorded as a loop on Sport Ireland's National Trails Register. It climbs 240 m in total. Sport Ireland estimates 2 hours 30 minutes.
How hard is the Mount Hillary - Father Murphy Loop?
Sport Ireland grades it Moderate. Grades are set against national criteria, so they are comparable with other registered trails.
Where does the Mount Hillary - Father Murphy Loop start?
Starts at Forestry entrance car park, Knightfield, northern slopes of Mount Hillary, near Banteer. The trailhead is at 52.12304, -8.84276 (Irish Grid W 42335 97093).
Can you bring a dog on the Mount Hillary - Father Murphy Loop?
Yes. The register records dogs as allowed. Much of the Irish trail network crosses working farmland, so keep a dog under close control near livestock.
Can you get to the Mount Hillary - Father Murphy Loop without a car?
Bus Eireann: route 243 Irish Rail: Killarney to Banteer (daily), Cork Kent to Banteer (daily – depending on time may have to get connection in Mallow).
Who manages the Mount Hillary - Father Murphy Loop?
IRD Duhallow. They are the authority on current conditions and closures, not this page.
More in Cork
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.