Overview
Lough Curra sits at roughly 574 m (1,885 ft) above sea level, the highest natural body of water in the Galtee Mountains. The lake fills a deep, glacially carved corrie beneath Galtymore, Ireland’s highest inland summit, and drains through the steep Clydagh River ravine on its way to the River Suir. The altitude suggests a hard day out; in practice it is one of the easier high-altitude walks in the Republic.
The Lough Curra Trail is an 8.5 km (5.3 mile) circular route rated moderate. It starts and finishes at the Cush (Glencush) car park near Clydagh Bridge, through managed forest, open moorland and old tracks. On a clear day you get unbroken views across the heather slopes of the Galtees, the farmland of the Glen of Aherlow and the far ridgelines of the Knockmealdowns.
The Lough Curra Trail
The route is easy to follow and needs no scrambling, nor any navigation beyond a basic sense of direction. It climbs gently at first through mature conifer and broadleaf plantation before breaking out onto open mountain.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Distance | 8.5 km (5.3 miles) |
| Elevation gain | 420 m (1,380 ft) |
| Highest point | 600 m (1,970 ft) at Lough Curra Mound |
| Typical duration | 2 hours 45 minutes |
| Difficulty | Moderate (Grade C) |
| Trail type | Circular loop |
| Starting point | Cush (Glencush) car park |
| Surface | Forestry track, open moorland, rocky sections, occasional boggy patches |
The trail is fully GPS-trackable. There is a reliable GPX file on the Komoot trail page, and the route is mapped on Wikiloc too. If you prefer paper, OSI Discovery Series sheet 74 covers the whole Galtee range and is shown on the visitor information board near the car park.
History and landscape
The old ice road
Long before refrigeration, people cut thick sheets of ice from Lough Curra’s frozen surface in hard winters, stacked it, and carted it down a steep, purpose-built track to supply nearby towns and estates. The descent back to the forest follows the remnants of this old ice road. Between the 2.1 km and 2.6 km marks the gradient steepens, and the original grassy bank and stone drainage features are still visible – a direct line back to 19th-century rural work.
The Galty wall
A drystone wall runs along the ridge above the lake for roughly 3.5 km. Built in the late 1800s as a boundary between the Galtee Castle and Massey Dawson estates, it was meant to control livestock and mark ownership; now it is a handrail for walkers heading towards Galtymore. The dry-stone construction has held up against decades of Atlantic weather.
Lough Curra Mound
The loop’s highest point is recorded on MountainViews as Lough Curra Mound (Irish: Cnapán Loch an Churraigh, ‘the mound of the lake of the marsh’). At 600.4 m it is modest next to Galtymore’s 918 m, but the top gives full 360-degree views. On a clear day the Glen of Aherlow opens out below in a patchwork of fields, the River Suir threading the valley floor. It also makes a useful waypoint if you are extending onto the longer Cush–Slievecushnabinnia circuit.
Wildlife and flora
The shift from managed woodland to open mountain brings a distinct mix of species. The heather slopes and scattered rhododendron give cover to ground-nesting birds and small mammals.
- Birds: kestrels hunting over the lake, meadow pipits, skylarks, ravens, goldcrests, and cuckoos in summer
- Mammals: red deer stags and hinds, foxes and badgers, usually at dawn or dusk
- Flora: early spring brings alpine cress and rhododendron blooms; late summer turns the moor purple with heather; the autumn colour peaks in late October
The lake mirrors the surrounding peaks, often holding low morning mist until midday. It is a quiet spot, and a good one if you want away from the busier routes.
Practical information and safety
Getting there and parking From Lisvernane (Aherlow), take the R663 west to Clydagh Bridge. Turn left onto the road heading south towards Cush and follow signs to the Cush (Glencush) car park. The car park is free and leads straight to the trailhead.
Fitness and surface conditions The walk is moderate. The forest section is gentle, but a short steep stretch known locally as ‘The Ramp’ wants sure feet and good ankle support. After heavy rain the moorland goes boggy and the old ice road’s grassy bank turns slippery. Bring sturdy boots and waterproof trousers, especially in winter and early spring.
Seasonality and weather The trail is open year-round, free. May to September gives the driest ground and the most reliable visibility. Winter brings ice, strong ridge winds and fast temperature drops. Between November and March, check the mountain forecast, carry gaiters and be ready for white-out on the exposed sections.
Dogs and facilities Dogs are not permitted on the open mountain sections, because of active sheep grazing and local land-use rules. There are no toilets, shelters or refreshments on the trail. The nearest shops, cafés and toilets are in the village of Lisvernane, a 10-minute drive away.
Safety tips
- Download a GPX track or carry OSI Discovery Sheet 74
- Tell someone your route and expected return time
- Pack a waterproof jacket, spare layers and high-energy snacks
- Turn back if visibility drops below 50 m or winds top 40 km/h
Nearby attractions
- Galtee Mountains – the wider range has harder routes to Galtymore, Lough Bohreen and Lough Muskry for experienced hillwalkers.
- Glengarra Woods – two waymarked forest trails, specimen trees and riverside paths, a gentler option for families or a warm-up.
- Cahir Castle – a 12th-century island fortress on the River Suir, with guided tours, defensive architecture and riverside grounds.
- Suir Blueway – a long-distance cycling and walking route along the River Suir from Carrick-on-Suir to Clonmel, through the Golden Vale.
Download a track before you set out and pack for weather that changes by the hour, and you have one of the most forgiving high-altitude walks in the Galtees.