Overview
The Coumduala Loop is the hardest and longest of the Nire Valley walks, an 8 km circuit on the western flank of the Comeragh Mountains graded strenuous for a reason: it climbs about 540 m over open, exposed hillside. It starts and finishes at the Nire Valley Car Park just outside Ballymacarbry, moving from quiet sand roads and farm lanes onto rocky mountain tracks. Take the optional Sgilloge Lakes side-track and it runs longer again. The payoff is a clear outlook over the Nire Valley, the Comeragh plateau and, on still days, the silhouette of Slievenamon off to the north.
One thing before you go, because access here is by the landowners’ goodwill: the trail closes for one day a year, on the third Thursday of December, and dogs are not permitted at all – this is sheep country and the ‘No Dogs Allowed’ signs at the gaps mean it.
Route & Terrain
The main loop is marked with purple arrows on a white background, the Coumlara section with red arrows, and the Sgilloge Lakes detour with blue arrows – worth memorising, because you will be reading them in poor light or low cloud. The initial stretch follows a firm sand road before climbing onto steeper, rocky paths across open heath and sheep-grazed fields. The ground gets more exposed as you gain height, so grippy footwear is essential, especially after rain when the tracks turn slick.
The waymarking is mostly good, but there is one known trap: at The Gap, walkers have reported a misleading sign where the markers appear to point uphill but lead you astray for about 100 m before you realise the mistake. Slow down at that junction and check the next arrow before committing. Experienced trail runners use the loop for training and can take a fast lap in roughly an hour; most walkers should allow about 4 hours for the climbs, the detours and the ridge views.
History & Place Names
The walk sits on a landscape shaped by both glacial activity and centuries of local movement. The Irish word coum means “hollow”, a common feature in upland Ireland where meltwater carved out shallow basins. Coumlara translates to “hollow where the river forks” and marks a dry coum that historically served as a natural corridor for farmers and travellers crossing the hills.
The trail also follows sections of The Gap, locally known as Sli na Sochraid or Bóithrín na Sochraide (the road of the dead). This natural saddle linked the Nire Valley to Rathgormack for generations and was traditionally used to carry the deceased to the parish church. Walking this stretch offers a quiet reminder of how the mountains shaped daily life and ritual in pre-modern Waterford.
Trail Highlights
- Coumduala Lough: A still, glacial lake framed by the Comeragh peaks. The water reflects the surrounding ridges and provides a natural pause point mid-climb.
- Coumlara Hollow: A sheltered, dry basin with softer ground and a calmer atmosphere. Ideal for a short rest or a quick snack break.
- The Gap (Sli na Sochraid / Bóithrín na Sochraide): A dramatic saddle where the valley floor drops away sharply. The historical weight of the route pairs with wide, open views down toward the Nire Valley and up toward higher ridges.
- Knockanaffrin Ridge viewing platform: A viewing platform on the ridge line. On a clear day the outlook reaches Tramore Bay, Hook Head, the Thomas Francis Meagher Bridge, Slievenamon, Mount Leinster and the Blackstairs Mountains.
- Sgilloge Lakes detour: An optional 30-minute side-track (blue arrows) leading to two small glacial lakes. The upper lake is crowned by Bean Píobra (The Piper’s Woman), a small waterfall whose spray catches the light and can resemble smoke in the right conditions.
- River Nire crossing: A footbridge over the Nire gives a moment by the water before the real climbing begins.
Practical Information
- Difficulty: Strenuous. Requires a good level of fitness and comfort with uneven, exposed terrain.
- Length & Ascent: 8 km on the main loop (Visit Waterford lists 9 km, and the Sgilloge Lakes detour adds more); about 540 m of ascent.
- Estimated Time: Around 4 hours for walkers; roughly 1 hour for experienced runners.
- Dogs: Not permitted on this trail to protect livestock and ground-nesting birds.
- Facilities: Free parking at the Nire Valley Car Park. No toilets or water sources are available on the route, so carry sufficient supplies and pack out all waste.
- Navigation: The route is clearly waymarked, but conditions can change quickly in the Comeraghs. Download the official Coumlara Loop Map (PDF) or carry OS Discovery Series Sheet 75. Grid reference: S 277 128.
- Season & Closures: Open year-round. The trail closes on the third Thursday of December each year to allow landowners to carry out undisturbed farm management.
Getting There & Nearby Stops
From Dungarvan, take the N72 west, turn right onto the R672, continue onto the R671 and follow signs for Knockaun. The car park is clearly signed and sits at the trailhead.
After finishing the loop, a short walk into Ballymacarbry offers coffee or a light meal. If you have the time and the legs, the wider Comeragh Mountains hold several longer routes. The Nire Valley also runs a walking festival every year on the second weekend of October, a good weekend to come if you would rather not navigate the hills alone.
Check the forecast before you head out – mountain weather in the Comeraghs shifts quickly, and the ridge makes wind and rain feel sharper than the valley does. Download the official trail map, fix the purple, red and blue arrows in your head before you start, and give The Gap junction your full attention.