Waterford Estuary Coastal Path – Dunmore East to Ballymacaw
Walking Trail · Waterford
Waterford Estuary Coastal Path – Dunmore East to Ballymacaw is a 7 km moderate waymarked linear route in Waterford, starting near Dunmore East.
Grade
| Activity | Grade | Difficulty | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walking | Moderate | Moderate | 2 hours to 2 hours 30 minutes |
Getting there
Starts at Dunmore East Harbour Car Park, near Dunmore East.
Finishes at Ballymacaw Cove.
- Trailhead coordinates
- 52.1452, -6.9931
- Irish Grid reference
- X 6897 9970
- Ordnance Survey sheets
- Discovery Series Sheet 76
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 - timetables available at https://www.locallinkwaterford.ie/bus-timetables/
About the trail
This walk follows a clifftop path stretching along the Waterford coast from Dunmore East as far as Ballymacaw Cove and includes steps, stiles, footbridges and stream crossings as well as some undulations. The first section as far as Portally Cove is ideal for those with a moderate level of fitness. Continuing to Rathmoylan Cove and on to Ballymacaw Cove offers a more challenging walk requiring a good level of fitness. Throughout there are fine sea views with many beautiful coves and inlets in the conglomerate red sandstone below while Hook Head with its lighthouse can also be seen. Keep an eye out for seabirds such as Kittiwake, Fulmar, Chough, Cormorant and Shag while an occasional seal could also pop its head out of the water.
- Waymarking
- Red arrow on white background
- Dogs
- Yes
Who manages it
Friends of Dunmore East Coastal Path: Estuary Coastal Path Trail Management Group
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.
- Ballyhack to Dunbrody - Duncannon Coastal Walk 11 km away · 3.5 km trail
- Fethard Castle Trail 12 km away · 0.8 km trail
- Tintern Trails - Buggy Trail 14 km away · 4.1 km trail
- Tintern Trails - Mr Rose's Garden Trail 15 km away · 0.9 km trail
- Tintern Trails - Abbot John Torrell Trail 15 km away · 4.3 km trail
- Tintern Trails - Caesar Colclough Trail 15 km away · 11.3 km trail
Common questions
How long is the Waterford Estuary Coastal Path – Dunmore East to Ballymacaw?
7 km, recorded as a linear route on Sport Ireland's National Trails Register. Sport Ireland estimates 2 hours to 2 hours 30 minutes.
How hard is the Waterford Estuary Coastal Path – Dunmore East to Ballymacaw?
Sport Ireland grades it Moderate. Grades are set against national criteria, so they are comparable with other registered trails.
Where does the Waterford Estuary Coastal Path – Dunmore East to Ballymacaw start?
Starts at Dunmore East Harbour Car Park, near Dunmore East. The trailhead is at 52.1452, -6.9931 (Irish Grid X 6897 9970).
Can you bring a dog on the Waterford Estuary Coastal Path – Dunmore East to Ballymacaw?
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 Waterford Estuary Coastal Path – Dunmore East to Ballymacaw without a car?
Bus - timetables available at https://www.locallinkwaterford.ie/bus-timetables/.
Who manages the Waterford Estuary Coastal Path – Dunmore East to Ballymacaw?
Friends of Dunmore East Coastal Path: Estuary Coastal Path Trail Management Group. They are the authority on current conditions and closures, not this page.
More in Waterford
This trail crosses private land by permission
Annual Closure Notice: Dunmore East Cliff Path Some of the property traversed by the Dunmore East Cliff Path is private property. Access is available by kind permission of all the landowners/holders on the route. Persons entering do so by permission with the consent of the landowner. No matter how often they enter, or in what numbers, they do not do so as of right. As further evidence of the permissive nature of the access, the route will be closed for one day on the third Thursday of December each year in agreement with the landowners. Nothing in this notice shall impact or address any pre-existing public rights of way. Distance and time are for walking the trail one way only - please double if returning to Dunmore East. The trail can be walked as far as Portally Cove (about 2km) or Rathmoylan Cove (about 5 km) or to Ballymacaw Cove.
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.