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The view at Baylough, one of the many beautiful scenes along the Four County Challenge Walk to be held on Saturday, August 31, in aid of Concern.

The Four County Challenge Walk at the end of this month in aid of Concern, will see walkers discover parts of the area they never knew existed, while exploring the terrain crossing two mountain ranges spanning four counties.

The Amenities and Activies Animator for South Tipperary development company, Helen Shanahan, spoke to The Avondhu about how this walk is a great way for people to explore the amenities in their own area, while it will also bring people from other areas down into this region, which could bring with it great tourism opportunities.

"It's a unique opportunity for local people to get to know their own area with a guided walk. We are surrounded by the Knockmealdowns and Galtees, but so few of us have actually set foot on them - we just look at them from afar, but this walk could change that for many people," she told The Avondhu. 

The walk takes place on Saturday, August 31. It will start in the Knockmealdowns, which straddle Waterford and Tipperary and the walk then passes through Cork, finishing in the Galtees on the Limerick side.

Helen explained that the walk, which goes along the Avondhu Way, was the brainchild of Maureen O'Brien who came up with the idea of using an existing track to help people to get to know the amenities on their doorstep.

"The walk is suitable for everyone, from walkers of moderate fitness to mountain runners. It's all on a fairly low level, so people won't be hiking up any steep hills and it can be done in ordinary runners. People can stop at any point or if they really want to push themselves, they can do the complete distance of 33km," Helen said.

The walkers can register at the end point of the walk in the Galtees. A bus then transfers them to the start point in the Knockmealdowns. The walk starts near the Vee at the lake known as Baylough. The route then meanders along the Avondhu Way, taking in parts of Tipperary, Waterford, Cork and Limerick.

The mountain track changes to quiet minor roads near Ballyporeen and from there, the trail heads to the Galtees entering at Galtee Castle near Skeheenarinky. It hugs the Attycran River and finishes at the foot of Galteemore at King's Yard. Once people cross the bridge they are in County Limerick. The total distance is 33km and there will be an option to finish near Ballyporeen, in which case the distance is 24km.

The cost of registering is €25 per person with a mininum requirement to raise an additional €75 for Concern. For more information or to see a map of the route, visit https://www.concern.net/yourconcern/events/four-county-challenge

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