- Kilkenny City Trails and River Nore Paths: A network of urban and riverside paths starting in the medieval city, following the River Nore on dedicated cycleways past Kilkenny Castle, canals, and parks; ideal for relaxed family rides and sightseeing with easy café access.
- Barrow Way Towpath (Kilkenny Sections): A flat, traffic-free greenway along the picturesque River Barrow from Graiguenamanagh northwards through Thomastown and Inistioge, featuring historic locks, woodland, and charming riverside villages perfect for leisurely multi-day or day trips.
- South Leinster Way Cycle Route (Graiguenamanagh to Inistioge): A scenic loop combining sections of the Barrow towpath with quiet country roads through south Kilkenny’s lush valleys, passing ancient monasteries, Norman castles, and undulating farmland.
- Thomastown to Mount Juliet Loop: A gentle circuit on minor roads through the Nore Valley, linking historic Thomastown with the elegant Mount Juliet estate, offering riverside views, orchards, and opportunities to explore Jerpoint Abbey.
- Castlecomer Discovery Park Trails: A dedicated network of off-road forest paths and singletrack in the expansive Castlecomer estate north of Kilkenny city, catering to mountain bikers with varied loops through woodlands, lakes, and former coal-mining landscapes.
- Brandon Hill Climb and Loop: A challenging ascent of County Kilkenny’s highest point near Graiguenamanagh, rewarded with panoramic views over the Barrow Valley and surrounding counties, popular among road cyclists seeking steep gradients and serene descents.
- Kilkenny to Callan Rural Lanes: A peaceful out-and-back or looped route west of the city on quiet backroads through rolling dairy farmland, passing Kells Priory ruins and traditional villages in the heart of the county’s agricultural countryside.
- Woodstock Gardens and Inistioge Circuit: A hilly yet rewarding loop from Inistioge up to the restored Victorian Woodstock Gardens arboretum, combining riverside paths with minor roads offering elevated views, monkey puzzles, and a serene descent back through pretty woodland.
Kilkenny is a county of medieval charm, with Kilkenny City’s castle and St Canice’s Cathedral showcasing well-preserved architecture and round towers. The Dunmore Cave offers intriguing limestone formations, while the Nore Valley’s walking trails provide scenic beauty. The historic Jerpoint Abbey’s intricate carvings make Kilkenny an appealing destination for history and exploration. Kilkenny is Ireland’s 16th largest county by size (2,062 square km) and 21st largest by population (104,160).
Kilkenny:
Introduction – 1837 – Adventure – Anthem – Archaeology – Attractions – Awards – Birdwatching – Castles – Churches – Contact list – Cycling – Dining – Equestrian – Festivals – Fishing – Folklore – Golf – Graveyards – Happening – Haunted – Highest – Hiking – History – Holy Wells –Hotels – Hotels8 – Instagrammable – Itineraries – Largest town – Luxury – MICE – Movies – Musicians – Name – Novelists – Off the beaten track – Poets – Pubs – Quotes – Random Facts – Restaurant Awards – Saints – Spas – Sports – Sunsets – Sustainable – Things to do – Towns – Video – Villages – Walking – Wanderlist – Weddings – Wild swimming – Writers
Cycling
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