Graiguenamanagh & The Three Sisters
Kells Angels
Kilkenny based Cycling Club
Lush countryside, beautiful river views and a hill in the middle – a cyclist’s dream.
Check out Ireland.com’s listings for the best accommodation in Graiguenamanagh, Co. Kilkenny.
The Three Sisters Loop
Route Rating ➤ Moderate
Distance ➤ 80 km
Climbing ➤ 1,104 meters
This Hidden Gem starts from the lovely little village of Graiguenamanagh, half of which is in Kilkenny and half over the River Barrow in Carlow.
This is picturesque Ireland at its very best. The first port of call is Borris, a Georgian village full of charm and heritage whose Victorian houses and shop fronts have remained largely intact. It’s early in this spin but worth stopping for a coffee if time permits.
About 3km after Borris, it’s time to get down to business. The climb up Mount Leinster starts gradually but becomes nicely challenging quite quickly. It’s a slightly more difficult climb on this side (shorter & steeper) but the descent on the far side is spectacular and Bunclody (33km) is a good spot to regroup over a coffee and a bun!
Back on the bike again and onwards through the beautiful back roads and hedgerows which crisscross the border between Carlow and Wexford until it’s time for lunch at St. Mullin’s, another lovely little village on the River Barrow. Lunch at the Mullichain Café is always good.
After lunch, you have a choice to make to get back to Graiguenamanagh: either you take the R729 (13km) or head offpiste via the towpath along the river. The towpath is mostly grassy but flat and suitable for bikes if the ground is dry – check it out on the day.