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No. 1 Carrigrour and
Rossnsshunsogue Walk
No. 2 Coomhola Bridge by Bog
Road
No. 3 Forrestery and
Lady Bantry's Lookout
No. 4 O'Leays Point
Esknafeelna & Creeven
No. 5 The Glen -
Barley Lake Rougham & Rossnagreena
No. 6 Derreenboy and
Coomerkane
No. 7 Derrograne Walk
No. 8 Magannagan Walk
No. 9 Seal Harbour -
Bocarnagh
Blue Pool Amenity Area
No.1 CARRIGROUR AND ROSSNASHUNSOGUE WALK
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.
No. 2 COOMHOLA BRIDGE BY BOG ROAD
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.
No.3 FORESTRY AND LADY
BANTRY'S LOOKOUT
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.
No. 4 O'LEARYS POINT ESKNAFEELNA & CREEVEN
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.
No.5 THE GLEN - BARLEY LAKE ROUGHAM
& ROSSNAGREENA
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.
No.6 DERREENBOY AND COOMERKANE
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.
No.7 DERROGRANE WALK
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.
No.8 MAGANNAGAN WALK
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.
No.9 SEAL HARBOUR-BOCARNAGH
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.
BLUE POOL AMENITY AREA
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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