Mahon Valley Walks

ALWAYS exercise caution in the hills. Check weather and take all safety precautions.

Crough Wood Walk

The Crough Wood Walk (5.4km-return; linear; moderate; 1.5 to 2 hours) runs along the River Mahon through deciduous woodland, open pasture and conifer forest between the road to Mahon Falls and Mahon Bridge. The woods are an important habitat for a range of wildlife including Red Squirrel, Pine Marten, Otter, Bats, Ring Ouzel and Dipper. The southern section of the trail provides panoramic views of Coum Mahon and Knockaunapeebra to the North. There is great diversity of trees such as Ash, Holly and Rowan-particularly attractive in Autumn with their colourful red berries. The flow of the River Mahon varies with the seasons and can be torrential after periods of high rainfall providing a dramatic soundscape along the trail.

Mahon Falls Walk

Coum Mahon is one of many coums or corries in the Comeragh Mountains resulting from the Munsterian Ice Ageglaciations some 100,000 years ago. Great masses of ice, or glaciers hollowed out the rock as they moved southwards over the Irish landscape. Coum Mahon is the Hollow of the River Mahon and the 300m cascade forms the Mahon Falls. The damp habitat around the boulders and Falls favours plants such as Wilson’s Filmy-fern and Fir Clubmoss. Great Wood-rush also occurs in the area. The wider landscape includes moorland, crags and conifer forests, which provide habitat for birds that nest in uplands and forage around coniferous forest. Look out for the Wheatear, Siskin, Crossbill and Meadow Pipit. You may also be lucky to catch sight of rarer birds such as the Nightjar and Ring Ouzel. Birds of Prey known in the wider Comeragh area include Peregrine Falcon, Buzzard, Kestrel and Merlin. Other wildlife that you may come across on your walk include the Lizard, Ireland’s only native reptile and the Common Frog. Mammals sighted in the area include rabbit and fox, while forest areas provide habitat for Red Squirrel and the elusive Pine Marten.

How to Get There

From Dungarvan follow the N25 in the direction of Waterford. At Lemybrien turn left onto the R676 in direction of Carrick-on-Suir. Turn left at Mahon Bridge and follow the Comeragh Drive signs. Crough Wood Trailhead is on your right 500 metres after Mahon Bridge. For the Mahon Falls car park, continue for a further 1.5kms,turn right cross over a cattle grid with the River Mahon to your right hand side for 2km. The car park is on your left near the start of the walk. From Waterford follow the N25 in the direction of Waterford. At McGrath’s Cross turn right and follow the signs for Mahon Falls. Continue straight at Mahon Bridge (crossing the R676). Then follow directions as above from Mahon Bridge. From Carrick-on-Suir take the R676 as far as Mahon Bridge. Turn right at Mahon Bridge. Then follow directions as above