Coumshingaun Lough is one of the most spectacular hikes in County Waterford, but it is not an easy walk. The full loop is around 7.5 km, usually takes 4–5 hours, includes steep and exposed sections, and requires good footwear, navigation skills and a reasonable level of fitness.
The trail starts near Kilclooney Wood in the Comeragh Mountains and can be walked clockwise or anti-clockwise, although we recommend the clockwise route for most hikers.
In this guide, we cover the Coumshingaun Lough route, map, difficulty, parking, hike time, safety, and whether you can swim in the lake, based on our own experience completing the loop.
Coumshingaun Lough Hike at a Glance
| Location | Comeragh Mountains, County Waterford |
| Distance | ~7.5 km |
| Time | 4–5 hours |
| Difficulty | Difficult |
| Route type | Loop |
| Start | Kilclooney Wood / Coumshingaun car park |
| Parking | Limited |
| Best direction | Clockwise |
| Terrain | Steep, muddy, rocky, exposed |
| Navigation | Route-finding required in places |
| Suitable for beginners? | No |
| Suitable for vertigo? | No |
| Swimming | Possible, but water is very cold |
| Best season | Roughly May–September |
Where Is Coumshingaun Lough?
Coumshingaun Lough sits in the Comeragh Mountains in County Waterford, in southeast Ireland.
The trailhead is roughly 20 minutes by car from Dungarvan, around 30 minutes from Clonmel and approximately 35 minutes from Waterford City, making all three useful bases if you want to explore the wider area.
Coumshingaun itself is a glacial corrie lake surrounded by steep mountain walls. You can hike the full loop above the lake or follow the lower route if you simply want to reach the shore without completing the more demanding circuit.
Where to Park for Coumshingaun Lough
The usual starting point for the Coumshingaun Lough hike is the parking area beside Kilclooney Wood on the R676.
The car park is small and can fill quickly, particularly at weekends and when the weather is good, so we recommend arriving early.
If the main parking area is full, there may be limited places to park nearby, but park responsibly and make sure you are not blocking local roads, gates or access.
Driving is by far the easiest way to reach Coumshingaun. Public transport in the Comeragh Mountains is limited, so having your own car also gives you much more freedom if you want to explore other parts of County Waterford.
If you’re travelling around Ireland without your own vehicle, read our guide to renting a car in Ireland before planning your trip.
How Difficult Is the Coumshingaun Lough Hike?
The Coumshingaun Lough Loop is a difficult hike and is not suitable for inexperienced walkers. The route includes steep ascents and descents, rocky sections, some scrambling, muddy ground and exposed edges above the lake. Parts of the trail are also poorly defined, so you need to be comfortable navigating and reading the terrain rather than expecting a perfectly marked path.
Good hiking boots are essential, and you should attempt the full loop only if you are reasonably fit and comfortable walking on steep and uneven ground.
The weather also makes a huge difference. Rain can turn already muddy sections slippery, while fog or low cloud can make route-finding considerably harder.
If you suffer from vertigo or are uncomfortable close to exposed drops, we would not recommend completing the full Coumshingaun Loop.
How Long Does the Coumshingaun Lough Loop Take?
Allow around 4–5 hours to complete the full Coumshingaun Lough Loop.
Fit and experienced hikers may finish faster, while bad weather, navigation stops, photography or simply spending more time enjoying the views can easily make the hike longer.
This is not a trail worth rushing. Give yourself enough daylight and enough time to stop safely along the route, particularly around the higher and more exposed sections.
Coumshingaun Lough Route
The Coumshingaun hike begins near Kilclooney Wood before climbing towards the dramatic corrie containing the lake.
From the parking area, follow the trail through the wooded section and towards the mountain. As you climb, the terrain becomes progressively steeper and the views across the surrounding countryside begin to open up.
The full loop takes you onto the higher ground surrounding Coumshingaun Lough before following the rim of the corrie and eventually descending back towards the lower trail.
This higher section is where the hike becomes substantially more demanding. There are steep slopes, loose ground and exposed areas where you need to pay attention to both the route and your footing.
There are also sections where the path is not immediately obvious. Do not rely solely on following other hikers: bring a map or downloaded route and be comfortable checking your position.
Should You Hike Coumshingaun Clockwise or Anti-Clockwise?
Most hikers complete the Coumshingaun Loop clockwise, and that is the direction we would recommend.
Following the route clockwise means tackling some of the steepest and trickiest terrain while climbing rather than descending, which generally makes those sections easier to manage.
We completed the trail anti-clockwise.
It was noticeably harder, with a demanding climb followed later by a very steep and difficult descent. We also encountered far fewer people going in this direction, which meant we had fewer visual clues about the route and had to rely much more on our own sense of direction.
Unless you’re an experienced hiker and deliberately want the more challenging option, take the clockwise route.
Coumshingaun Lough Route and Map
The map above shows the Coumshingaun Loop and the direction of the main trail.
The yellow marker indicates the clockwise route. At the junction, head towards the left to continue clockwise. Taking the opposite direction puts you onto the anti-clockwise route we followed.
Whichever direction you choose, don’t treat the map as a substitute for navigation equipment. Weather conditions in the Comeragh Mountains can change quickly, and sections of the trail can become difficult to identify in poor visibility.
Is Coumshingaun Dangerous?
Coumshingaun is not inherently dangerous for experienced, properly equipped hikers, but parts of the route require real care.
The full loop includes steep slopes, loose rock and gravel, mud, scrambling and exposed sections high above the lake. There are no barriers along the edges of the corrie, and the terrain can become significantly more difficult when wet.
The biggest risks are poor weather, slippery ground, losing the route and getting too close to exposed edges.
We would not recommend the full loop to complete beginners, anyone uncomfortable with scrambling, or hikers who suffer from vertigo.
Check the forecast before setting out and reconsider the full loop if conditions include strong winds, very poor visibility, ice or severe rain. Mountain conditions can be very different from those in nearby towns.
Being prepared is particularly important here: wear proper hiking footwear, carry water and food, bring suitable layers and make sure you have a way to navigate even if visibility deteriorates.
Is the Coumshingaun Hike Scary?
We wouldn’t describe the Coumshingaun Loop as scary if you’re an experienced hiker comfortable with exposed mountain terrain.
But some sections can feel intimidating.
The lake sits inside a steep corrie, so parts of the route bring you close to high slopes and drops without protective barriers. Mud, loose rock and poor weather can make those sections feel much more exposed.
If heights make you uncomfortable, the full loop probably isn’t the right hike for you.
Best Time to Hike Coumshingaun Lough
The most practical time to hike Coumshingaun Lough is generally between May and September, when daylight hours are longer and you’re less likely to encounter winter conditions.
That does not mean you are guaranteed good weather.
Irish mountain weather is notoriously unpredictable. You can get heavy rain in June and a beautiful clear day in October, so always check conditions rather than relying purely on the season.
Winter is much more demanding. Ice, snow, strong winds, poor visibility and short daylight hours can all dramatically increase the difficulty of an already challenging route.
For most visitors, we wouldn’t recommend making winter your first experience of Coumshingaun.
Can You Swim in Coumshingaun Lake?
Yes, people do swim in Coumshingaun Lough, but the water is extremely cold even in summer.
You can reach the shore from the lower route and stop beside the lake either as part of your hike or without completing the full loop.
We only dipped our feet in, and even that was freezing.
If you decide to swim, remember that this is wild open-water swimming, not a managed swimming area. There are no lifeguards, water temperatures can be very low and conditions need to be assessed on the day.
Never assume that seeing other people swimming means conditions are safe for you.
For many hikers, simply reaching the shore, having something to eat and enjoying the view of the corrie from below is enough of a reward after the hike.
Where to Stay Near Coumshingaun Lough
Dungarvan, Waterford City and Clonmel can all work as bases for hiking Coumshingaun and exploring the Comeragh Mountains. We stayed at Hotel Minella in Clonmel, around half an hour from the trailhead. The hotel occupies a Georgian house dating from the 19th century and has a pool and spa, which we particularly appreciated after spending the day hiking.
Clonmel is also useful if you want to combine the Comeragh Mountains with other outdoor activities in the area. From Hotel Minella, for example, you can access the Suir Blueway, which follows the River Suir between Cahir and Carrick-on-Suir.
If your trip is focused mainly on County Waterford, Dungarvan or Waterford City may make more practical bases.
Practical Tips Before Hiking Coumshingaun Lough
A few things we would recommend before setting out:
- Start early, especially at weekends, both for parking and to give yourself plenty of daylight.
- Wear proper hiking boots. Mud, rocks and steep terrain are part of this hike.
- Download your route before leaving. Mobile coverage should never be your only navigation plan in the mountains.
- Check the weather on the morning of the hike, not just several days beforehand.
- Bring layers and waterproof clothing, even if conditions look good when you start.
- Carry enough food and water for at least 4–5 hours.
- Don’t underestimate the loop because of its distance. The terrain, rather than the number of kilometres, is what makes Coumshingaun challenging.
- Take the clockwise route if this is your first time hiking Coumshingaun.
- Turn back if conditions deteriorate. The lake will still be there another day.
Is the Coumshingaun Lough Hike Worth It?
Yes. Coumshingaun Lough is one of the most memorable hikes we’ve done in this part of Ireland.
But what makes it spectacular is also what makes it demanding: steep mountain walls, exposed terrain, changing weather and a route that requires more attention than an easy waymarked trail.
If you’re comfortable with that kind of hiking, the views across the lake and Comeragh Mountains make the effort worthwhile.
For less experienced walkers, reaching the lake on the lower route can still give you a taste of Coumshingaun without committing to the full loop.
Whichever option you choose, come prepared, allow enough time and don’t treat Coumshingaun as a casual walk simply because the distance looks manageable on paper.