B Walk – Mount Leinster to Kildavin
This walk begins at the well-known viewing spot the Nine Stones, where walkers will be treated to breath-taking views before descending towards the cattle grid on the Mountain Road. The route then loops around Tomduff, leading up to the cairn on Slievebawn and returns to the Nine Stones vantage point. Here, you can take in an unrivalled panorama of Carlow’s rich and colourful countryside, stretching across the southeast like a vibrant tapestry. On clear days, you might even catch a glimpse of the distant Welsh coastline.
Admission €30
This memorable route sets out from the Nine Stones, one of Carlow’s best-known landmarks, before dropping towards the cattle grid on the Mountain Road. From here the trail loops around Tomduff, a quiet hillside that offers a sense of remoteness, before climbing to the cairn on Slievebawn, long associated with ancient ritual and tradition.
The walk then leads through the Corrabut Gap, a dramatic cut through the Blackstairs that has served for centuries as a passage between valleys. Your next ascent is Kilbrannish Hill, crowned by its distinctive summit cairns. On clear days, walkers are rewarded with striking panoramas of the Barrow Valley below and the rolling ridges of the Blackstairs stretching north and south and even as far as Wales.
The final section follows the South Leinster Way, winding down through forest tracks and open farmland to the village of Kildavin, where the walk concludes. Blending upland hiking with peaceful valley walking, this is a rewarding and varied route that showcases the best of Carlow’s landscapes.
| Summary B Walk | Suitable for Experienced Hill Walkers |
| Duration | Approximately 5 hours from start in Kildavin to finish |
| Length | 19km |
| Terrain | Terrain is on open mountain, rugged, exposed and unmarked – includes boulder fields and uneven surfaces. |
| Fitness levels | Requires strong physical fitness and endurance. |
| Reward! | Blending upland hiking with peaceful valley walking, this is a rewarding and varied route that showcases the best of Carlow’s mountain landscapes. |
Walk includes:
- Experienced members from Tullow Mountaineering Club leading the walk
- Bus transport to the start of this walk. Finish on foot back to Kildavin Village
- Soup, sandwiches, tea and coffee in Conway’s Bar and Restaurant, Kildavin following conclusion of the walk
Supported by Carlow County Council under the Festival and Events Scheme
| Date and Time: | Saturday, 3rd October, 2026 at 09:00 |
|---|---|
| Registration: | Conway's of Kildavin, Kildavin, Carlow Y21 PX98. at 08:30 |
| Start Point: | Nine Stones Vantage Point, Mount Leinster Bus transport to the start of the walk. |
| Finish Point: | Kildavin Village |
| Actual Distance: | 19km |
| Walk Duration: | 5hrs (approx.) |