Map

Ballycroum Loop Walk

This loop walk is located in the townland of Ballycroum in the parish of Feakle, Co. Clare. The loop walk is part of the Network of National Looped Walks and is marked using the standard purple National Looped Walk directional arrows.

Directions to Trailhead

Start from the village of Feakle on the R468 between Scarriff and Tulla. Exiting the lower end of the village veer right at the junction (opposite direction to signpost for Limerick). Follow this secondary road for approximately 3km, and turn right at a crossroads onto a narrow minor road. The trailhead is located on the right after approximately 2km. The trailhead is signposted from Feakle Village.

A-B. Starting from the car park follow the purple National Loop arrow across the stile and into forestry. You are also on the East Clare Way - a long distance walking route marked with yellow arrows and the familiar trekking man logo. Follow the forestry road for almost 1km to reach a forestry track on your left. Turn left here following the purple (and yellow) arrows.

B-C. The loop emerges from the forestry shortly afterwards and follows a well-worn track across open ground. Watch out for the wedge tombs on your right.

C-D. Continue to follow the track as it takes a wide sweep left - but then crosses a stile perched high on a dry ditch on your right. After crossing the stile the loop descends through a field to join an old laneway. Turn left here.

D-E. Enjoy the walk along the laneway as it takes you past the reminders of times past - ruins of farmhouses and outhouses that were typical of homes in this rural area. Eventually, the laneway zig-zags its way to a conclusion at a gateway onto a tarred road. Exit via the stile and turn left.

E-F. After only 200m the loop leaves the tarred road - crossing a stile on the right and entering a field. Follow the field boundary, pass through a gap, and cross the Maghera River via a footbridge. Shortly after crossing the river you join another old laneway where you turn left into the townland of Clonnagro. Again, enjoy the trip down memory lane as the hedged laneway twists you to a 3-way junction where the East Clare Way turns right but you turn left onto a tarred roadway.

F-A. You now follow a straight section - continuing straight at a 3-way junction – and eventually reach another footbridge. After crossing the footbridge you join a narrow laneway which ends at a T-junction with a tarred road. Turn left at the junction and enjoy the 300m back to the trailhead.

Downloads

Ballycroum Loop - Downloadable Map