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Mountain Grove Loop - Easy Trailhead: Car park, Mountain Grove Woods, Piltown, Co. Kilkenny Distance/Time: 4km /1hr - 1hr30mins Directions: Start from the village of Piltown which is just off the N24 from Carrick-on-Suir and Waterford. Take the R698 northward in the direction of Owning and Kilkenny. After 2km continue straight towards Templeorum as the R698 turns left. At a crossroads after 4km veer right and the trailhead is less than 1km on the left. Note: The trailhead is signposted from Piltown. Image courtesy of www.visitkilkenny.ie
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Woodstock Loop - Moderate Trailhead: Inistioge Village Car Park Distance/Time: Woodstock Loop: 4.5Km / 1-1.5hrs Ladies Loop: 3km/ 45mins-1hr Directions: Woodstock House Gardens and Arboretum can be accessed on foot from Inistioge Village via the Woodstock Loop Walks. Woodstock Gardens are located in the south east of Kilkenny just outside the picturesque village of Inistioge. The gardens, overlooking the River Nore Valley, offer a wide variety of sights and are a most relaxing and beautiful environment in which to spend a day. The gardens are home to a mix of formal and informal gardens with an arboretum, walled garden, terraced garden, yew walk and rose garden providing the main interest. Also of significance are two stunning avenues, the Monkey Puzzle Avenue and Noble Fir Avenue. Also of interest is a rustic summer house, constructed from materials from the gardens and a fountain to replace the original which was sold from the gardens c.1930. The arboretum is home to many fine specimen trees from Asia and South America in particular. A number of these trees are recognised as champion trees due to their size. Adjacent to the Arboretum is the Walled Garden laid out with fruit trees, a vegetable garden and a beautiful herbaceous border. Just outside the Walled Garden is a stunning cast iron conservatory which houses the tea shop. Image courtesy of www.visitkilkenny.ie
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Nore Valley Walk - Moderate The Nore Valley walk stretches from Kilkenny city to Inistioge and follow the River Nore. The walk is divided into three sections: Kilkenny to Bennettsbridge, Bennetsbridge to Thomastown and Thomastown to Inisitoge. Kilkenny City to Bennettsbridge Directions: The Nore Valley Walk starts in Kilkenny city at the Lacken Walk. At the end of Maudlin Street there is a small car park which leads to the Lacken Walk. Follow the Lacken walk to Ossary Bridge and then continue along the Nore Valley Walk. The Nore Valley Walk is signposted from here to Bennettsbridge. After 2km along the river bank the trail heads through a laneway and onto the Sion Road. Follow this road for 1.5km then cross a green stile, through a field and back to the river bank. The route takes you through a farmland, ruined mills, woods and then to the picturesque village of Bennettsbridge. Image courtesy of www.visitkilkenny.ie
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Thomastown to Inistioge Trailhead: Moderate Distance / Time: 2-3 hours Additional info: To protect farm animals, no dogs allowed Directions: From Thomastown: Starting in Thomastown go south across the bridge and follow the green arrows to the Thomastown GAA pitch. Walk along the border of the GAA pitch to the river bank. From Inistioge: Approaching form the village square, arrive at the riverbank and turn left along the river.