A difficult 3-mile out-and-back, the Seefin Mountain Trail, near Mitchelstown on the southern border of County Limerick, Ireland, is short but challenging with a total elevation gain of 803 ft. The route climbs to the peak of Seefin Mountain (1732 ft), the highest peak in the Ballyhoura Mountains. Where the trail lacks distance, it makes up for it with several tough sections, rewarding the effort with an abundance of wildlife, flora and fauna, taking in a moss-covered woodland, waterfalls, ferns, and incredible mountain vistas. A well-marked route, the terrain is a mix of gravel forest track, boardwalk, boggy marsh, and exposed hillside trail. Prepare for inclement weather and wind at the summit, and pack food and water. There is parking at the trailhead, and dogs are allowed but must be kept on a leash.
Rest or resupply at many of the cafes, restaurants and shops found in the nearby Charleville or Mitchelstown, or in the mountain’s smaller surrounding villages.
Photo Credit:
Colin Park