Welcome To Cork Guide Established 1996
Walking in Glengarriff
This walk can be done clockwise or anti-clockwise, but, clockwise is recommended as being the less steep ascent and more pleasant scenically. The entrance to the walk is at an iron gate on the right of the Kenmare road, approximately 1 1/2 miles from Glengarriff village.
Passing through the gate you walk on a roughish path ascending steadily around bends to another gate at the summit. Just beyond this point magnificent views of the harbour area and Garnish Island can be photographed. After a brief pause here, maybe investigating the ancient sites nearby, continue downhill until a junction is reached with an attractive dwelling house on your right.
Take a sharp left here and continue upwards passing several new bungalows on the way. Again the view from the summit here is spectacular. It is possible to pick out local landmarks, hotels, golf courses etc. The road eventually peters out at a farmyard.
Return from here, ignoring the road back to Carrigrour and after a steep descent you rejoin the main road at Reenmeen Bridge near the Eccles Hotel. Total distance from village 5 miles approximately.
This walk actually starts about 3 miles from Glengarriff village at a place known as Crois na Bothar. Leaving the village and passing such easily recognizable landmarks as the Golf Course, entrance gates to Glengarriff Castle and Derrycreha National School, you reach a lone house at a point where the main road is intersected by a by-road going left and right.
Proceed on the left hand one and you will travel in an easterly direction towards Coomhola. Less than a mile along here the road levels out by some peat bogs. There is a rough track leading to Glasslough fishing lake which is worth a glimpse on the way.
Follow the tarred road for a further mile and a quarter and you will emerge at a cross-roads. From here roads lead to The Priests Leap, Borlin Valley, Ballylickey, Pearsons Bridge and Snave.
For a short diversion visit the lovely Coomhola Church a little ways over the bridge directly ahead of you. To reach Snave Bridge go the road by the shop and skirting the Coomhola river you eventually rejoin the main road at Snave.
This is quite a long walk is attempted from the village, but it can be considerably shortened by using the scheduled bus service to drop-off or pickup point. Total distance approximately 12 miles or using the bus 6 or 9 miles.
These walks are in an area of Glengarriff, rarely visited by foot and as such are well worth viewing. Follow the Bantry road for a distance of approximately 2 miles passing the Golf Course, to what is known locally as the Doctors Cross.
Here the tar road veers downwards and off to the right. About 100 yards on this road another road leads off at right angles. Following this track you will travel through hedgerow, ferns and moss covered trees until it eventually peters out near a small homestead.
This is O'Learys Point and from here charming views of the inner harbour framed by tall pine trees can be glimpsed. Retrace your steps to the tar road and continue along it keeping to your right and passing the large iron gates of the Dispensary on your left.
The road then divides in two, both of which can be followed until they end. The area all around is suitable for exploration and the shoreline is easily accessible. Return by same route. Total distance approximately 8 miles
Walking out of the village along the Castletownbere road, with the river to your right for a short distance, you come to a sharp left bend. At this point a narrow road joins to the right, heading backwards, it seems. Follow this side road which is a slight incline for about 3/4 miles through mixed terrain of rock and hedgerow and you will come to the entrance to Lady Bantrys Lookout.
This is signposted and it can also be identified by steps ascending steeply on your left. Following this short sharp climb you will be rewarded with a breathtaking panoramic view. Descending the steps you will notice at the bottom a path directly leading downwards. Follow this path and after passing over two footbridges you will emerge at a charming gate lodge style house which was the entrance to Lord Bantrys demesne.
Leaving the bridges turn sharp left for the Forest Picnic area and Nature Trail. There are a number of short walks leading from this area which are well sign posted. Return to the village via the Kenmare road near Gate Lodge.
It also is recommended to visit Poulacran fishing pool which is on your right down a woodland path, opposite a house perched high on a rock. This is a most peaceful tranquil spot in summer. If you do not wish to follow the forest paths this walk can be accomplished in about 1 hour.
The large area of forestry in Glengarriff is ideal for outdoor pursuits and it lends itself to staying an hour in the picnic areas or spending a day or two exploring the above mentioned walks.
It is also possible to drive or cycle part of the way and then take off on foot. Leave the village by the Kenmare road passing the Roman Catholic Church you will come to a wooden entrance on your left with a Gate Lodge. Passing through this entrance you will soon reach a picnic area with very many walks leading from it.
Continue along this gravel road and it joins a tar road leading in to the Glen. Follow this to your left and you will pass through the whole forest area of new and mature woodland. As this road levels out you will reach another picnic area.
Again there are many openings into the woodland from here but caution is advised near the river bank. Past this spot you then travel on towards Barley Lake which is a right angle turn off to your left over a stone bridge with a white washed two storey cottage to your right.
Passing over the bridge follow the tarred road for approximately 1/2 miles until you come to a road leading off to your left and very steep. Don't be deterred by what is admittedly a very steep climb because as you reach the summit the worth of your efforts becomes very apparent.
At the small car park on top keep directly ahead and after crossing some turf bogs the lake lies below you. This area is ideal for exploring and picnicking but please, here as in all other areas, be cautious and light no fires. Retrace your steps back down the hill and return to the stone bridge by the whitewashed cottage.
Following along the original road you can follow it taking no side roads until it eventually ends in a farmyard. From the bridge it is quite level and you seem to pass from valley to valley as you walk. The scenery is as beautiful as it is varied and when you reach the end retrace your steps.
Other than Barley Lake, the steepest climb in the area is Rossnagreena. Following the Glen road from the bridge by the cottage you will soon come across a road leading steeply to the right. Follow this road leading steeply to the right. Follow this road climbing steadily, keeping to your right and after 1.5 miles you will find yourself on the main Kenmare/Glengarriff road.
On your left you will see the big tunnel hewn from rock which is the border between Cork and Kerry. Head to your right and as the road twists and turns downhill you will be rewarded with beautiful views. Follow the road downhill and the village is approximately 5 miles. Distances from 2 miles to 20 miles.Top
This area can be approached from two separate ways but for convenience we advise you to follow the aforementioned Glen road past the wooded pool called Pooleen, up a slight hill and turn left just beyond an attractive stone cottage.
This road leads through mature and newly planted woodland and peat bogs and will eventually join another tarred road. Turning right you will reach a valley with a lake set in the centre and a road skirting either side.
To your right is the dark face of the Eagle Nest Cliffs and you can follow either road until they end or further enquiries here might tempt you to venture by the side of the Eagles Nest into another valley. Retrace your original path and this time continue directly on at the cross roads for Derreenboy and pass over a pretty old stone bridge.
Follow the road through the forest for about 3 miles and you will eventually rejoin the Castletownbere /Glengarriff road where a sharp left turn will take you back to the village. Distance 8 miles approximately
This off-the-beaten track road commences about one and a half miles from the village on the Bantry Road.
Turn to the left beyond a terrace of pretty cottages and before the Mountain View Hotel. This is a sheltered pleasant stroll involving no up hill walking worth mentioning, running along a valley floor and ending at a homestead gate after passing over two bridges, there are attractive scenes including Cobduv mountain to your right and particularly nice hedgerows in summer. Being sheltered on both sides this walk can be undertaken on days when weather does not permit higher more exposed walks to be explored
Travel approximately 1.5 miles from village on Castletownbere road, passing entrance to caravan sites and take side road on right at Pine Cottage. Directly ahead of you is Sugar Loaf Mountain, with turf bogs and forestry at both sides. Follow tarred road bearing leftwards all the time. The road deteriorates until eventually it joins with another tar road to lead you back to the main road. It is also possible to continue directly ahead and find the old road which was part of the route from Glengarriff to Adrigole. This runs by Magannagan stream and can be located on some ordnance survey maps. Distance on by roads - 2.5 miles.
The start off point for this walk is recommended to be at a point approximately 4 miles form the village, past the two lakes and overlooking the bay. A by-road leading downwards to the left is signposted for Seal Harbour. Following this road for about one mile, all downhill, you will reach a secluded shingle beach which is suitable for swimming, picnics etc. Just before this point a road passing through a beautifully quiet area. Follow the road directly for about 2 miles all the time with some breath-taking seascape to your right. You will eventually reach the main road and you then go left for about one mile to the tart point, or if on foot go right to get back to Glengarriff. Circular distance from start 5 miles.
This whole area of woodland, which is in the process of being developed, is the nearest walking area to the village. It can be reached from the Blue Pool or the Pier, and several points in between. It is largely in a natural condition, with a labyrinth of walks criss crossing it, and many stopping off and picnic points by the waters edge. If you pass beyond the Blue Pool itself you reach Poulgorm Point itself you reach Poulgorm Point where there is a diving board and a beautiful sun trapped bathing area.
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