Lough Derg Way: Guide, accommodation and stages
- Christian Sommer
- 1 day ago
- 8 min read
The Lough Derg Way is a quiet insider tip among Ireland's long-distance hiking trails – a route that takes you along the mighty Shannon and its side channels through the idyllic borderlands of Counties Limerick, Clare and Tipperary. From Limerick City to the harbour town of Dromineer on Lough Derg, the trail passes through quiet villages, ancient cultural landscapes, tranquil riverside paths and historic sites such as Killaloe, where High King Brian Boru once resided.
Contents
1. Arrival
2. Route
3. Stages
4. Accommodation
5. Guide
6. Further information
7. Packing list
8. GPX and map information
9. Conclusion
Lough Derg Way
The Lough Derg Way stretches for around 70 kilometres through the water-rich heart of western Ireland, connecting the counties of Limerick, Clare and Tipperary. The difficulty of the route is rated as easy to moderate, with well-developed riverside paths in the south and quieter country roads in the north. Some stages may be a little longer due to the rural structure and limited accommodation options, so a certain level of fitness is recommended. Depending on your pace and plans, you should allow around 4-5 days for the entire route.
Info: The Lough Derg Way is an ancient pilgrimage route and one of Ireland's lesser-known but scenically diverse long-distance hiking trails. It invites you to discover a region shaped by water – unspoilt, peaceful and full of character.
Lough Derg Way gettin there
The Lough Derg Way traditionally starts at the Tourist Office behind the Hunt Museum in the centre of Limerick City. The city is well connected to the public transport network and therefore easily accessible – ideal for an uncomplicated start to your hiking adventure.
Airplane: The nearest major airport is Shannon Airport – from there, you can reach the centre of Limerick by bus in around 40 minutes or even faster by taxi. Alternatively, you can fly into Dublin Airport. From there, it takes about 2.5 to 3 hours to get to Limerick by train. To find cheap flights, I recommend Skyscanner, a handy app that quickly shows you the best connections and prices.
To find suitable train and bus connections, it's worth taking a look at the OMIOapp. Here you can not only check connections, but also book your ticket directly – conveniently via your smartphone or computer.
Please note: There are very limited public transport connections along the Lough Derg Way outside Limerick.
Lough Derg Way route
The Lough Derg Way route is around 70 kilometres long and is mostly flat to slightly hilly – ideal for anyone looking for peaceful, nature-oriented long-distance hiking away from the crowds. Even novice hikers will find it easy to navigate. The trail leads along easily accessible canal and river paths, through small villages and along quiet country roads – with sweeping views of the water, green fields and the tranquil, almost forgotten river landscape of the Shannon.
There are no exposed or alpine passages, but caution is advised on some sections of road in the northern part, as traffic can be fast here. The route passes through charming villages such as Clonlara, O'Briensbridge and historic Killaloe, once the seat of the legendary Irish High King Brian Boru. The medieval St. Flannan's Cathedral with its early Christian oratory is particularly worth seeing.
Waymarking: The Lough Derg Way is reliably marked with yellow arrows on a black background and the official symbol of the National Waymarked Trails. You will find the markings regularly on wooden posts and boards along the entire route, making it easy to find your way even without GPS.
Remember to insure your trip well – because a fall or other typical hiking injury can quickly result in high rescue costs. Auras Insurance offers you worldwide hiking and trekking insurance, specially designed for active travellers.
Use the discount code HIKINGFEX to get 10% off your insurance.
Lough Derg Way stages
The Lough Derg Way takes you through the quiet, rural hilly landscape of southern Ireland in four stages. The stages are mostly easy to moderate – the difficulty depends mainly on the length of the daily route and the weather.
Classic:
Stage 1: Limerick City – O Briensbridge 21 km | 80 m ascent
Stage 2: O Briensbridge – Killaloe 11 km | 100 m ascent
Stage 3: Killaloe – Castletown 17 km | 550 m ascent
Stage 4: Castletown – Dromineer 24 km | 200 m ascent
Lough Derg Way accommodation
There is also a good selection of accommodation along the Lough Derg Way – from small B&Bs to charming country hotels and family-run guesthouses. You can book your accommodation directly through my partner platform Booking.com using the links below – it won't cost you any more.
I have also put together a selection of other accommodation and (where available) campsites along the route – ideal if you are travelling independently or want to stay spontaneous.
Starting point: Limerick City
Stage 1: O Briensbridge
Stage 2: Killaloe
Stage 4: Castletown
Stage 5: Dromineer
Lough Derg Glamping
Lough Derg Way best time to visit
The best time to visit the Lough Derg Way is between May and October, with the most stable weather conditions between June and August. During this period, you can expect mild temperatures, long days and the best chance of dry riverside paths along the Shannon and Lough Derg.
May and June are ideal for those who want to experience the route at a leisurely pace. Nature is at its greenest at this time of year: wildflowers line the paths, dog roses and foxgloves bloom on the embankments, and with a little luck, you will be accompanied by the song of larks across the wide fields and river meadows.
From September onwards, the trail becomes quieter – the light becomes warmer, the forests around Killaloe and along the side roads take on autumnal colours, and the landscape at Lough Derg shows its particularly atmospheric side. A wonderful time to experience the unspoilt and peaceful side of Ireland.
Tip: If you want to plan your tour better in terms of weather, it's worth taking a look at historical weather data for places like Limerick, Killaloe or Dromineer. This will help you to better estimate temperatures, the probability of rain and hours of sunshine – and adjust your equipment accordingly.
Please don't forget to take an emergency bivouac with you. It consists of an emergency blanket that repels the cold, a whistle and a mini-compass. It should be in your backpack on every hike anyway.
As the old Scottish saying goes: ‘There's no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing!’
Lough Derg Way packing list
Here I recommend the most important hiking equipment that I own, have tested myself and have also bought myself. I pay a lot of attention to the weight and quality of my equipment. The equipment should simply feel good on longer tours and also be light. I can recommend the equipment for women because my wife uses it and it is basically the same as the equipment for men.
Note: Please keep in mind that the packing list is general and you will have to adapt it depending on the season and your needs!
Advertising note: These product links are affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, I will receive a small commission without you having to pay more. This is for the maintenance of my blog and you support me with my project, for which I am very grateful. Thank you very much!
Clothes
Hiking boots
Hiking shorts
Long hiking pants
Functional shirt
Hybridjacket
Fleece-jacket
Rain jacket
Functional underwear
Hiking socks
Other hiking equipment:
• Sun cap
• Bivouac
Hiking backback (approx. 60 litres or as required)
by EXPED - unfortunately not available on Amazon.
• Backback - Ospray (was my old one and is also good)
Technology and orientation:
• Compass
• Headlamp
• GPS device or GPS watch if necessary
• Binoculars if necessary
Catering:
• Sweets to keep up morale :)
Health & first Aid:
• First Aid (small and light)
• Tape
• Bivouac
• Toilet paper
Other:
• Passport/Insurance certificate
• cash
• Gas cartridge
Film equipment:
• Camera
• Drone
• Tripod
• Clip
To prepare yourself optimally for your hikes, I recommend the workouts on my YouTube channel.
Long-distance hiking trails in Europe: 90 routes, all countries
Safety instructions
Lough Derg Way GPX
Here you can find the GPX files for the Lough Derg Way. For detailed planning, I would recommend the maps from Outdooractive and Komoot.
Outdooractive:
Lough Derg Way Clonlara
Clonlara is a possible starting point for this walk and is located on the R463, about 10 km from Limerick.
Lough Derg Way
The Lough Derg Way is a 70 km long-distance hiking trail in the west of Ireland that takes you along the majestic River Shannon and its side channels to Lough Derg, one of the largest lakes in the country. You can expect a varied mix of peaceful river paths, green meadows, small villages and historic sites – nestled in the gentle, water-rich landscape between Limerick, Clare and Tipperary.
The trail is well marked and ideal for anyone who wants to discover Ireland off the beaten tourist track. The requirements are moderate: the route is mostly flat, with few climbs – sure-footedness and basic fitness are all you need. Depending on your pace, the weather and accommodation options, the stages can be planned flexibly.
Look forward to a relaxing hike along the Shannon, with sweeping views across the water, historic stops such as Killaloe and the tranquil beauty of Lough Derg. Nature, culture and tranquillity – the Lough Derg Way combines everything that makes for a successful hike in Ireland.
As always, I would be very happy to receive feedback via one of my channels.
You are also welcome to leave me a comment.
Hello, I am Christian, the chief globetrotter of this Site and an enthusiastic adventurer, hiker and filmmaker. I love to explore new paths and inspire people with them, and I love to share my hiking knowledge with you! You can also find my videos on YouTube! On my blog you can find tips for beginners and professionals on the greatest and most beautiful hiking tours there are. I want to encourage people to explore the world as a hiker, whether in the countryside, through the forest or in the mountains. True to the motto: If you haven't hiked, you haven't seen the world,
On my blog, I also write about hiking gear, the right summit training and nature conservation, as well as tips and information about hiking.
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