Going to by
Glencam area
Part of Duhallow way
Living with Corona means to find ways to make life as comfortable and safe as possible. We all had so much discomfort in the last 18 months. Let's give our body and soul a bit a freedom and a rest before an unstable time in form of the winter approaches. Keep in mind: The safest way is being outdoors.
First of all I want to mention the following important advises for this walk:
– Only a part is suitable for walking with kids and this is only on a back and forth walk
For the other part the following applies:
– Good walking shoes are essential for this walk. Be sure your shoes are water resistent. This area is a turfy area.
– In this area you may not have a phone connection.
– Don’t go this way on your own, but at least with a companion.
Let’s start here:
52°2′38″ N 8°53′30″ W
The main trail is suitable for all ages.
A comfortable walk…
Have a look out for small streams, usual and unusual plants
When you follow the main trail you will come to an open area where you can see an untouched nature
There are 2 bridges, a bigger one on your way, inviting to take a break, and a smaller one around the corner (Please note: This one is part of a tiny road, but there might pass every now and then a car with a good speed. Be careful, when you’re in this specific area with kids)
This section is very good signposted. Unfortunately it doesn’t point out the difficult terrain.
To give you an impression of the more difficult part, I’d rather let pictures speak. Be prepared that sometimes you will have to feel the way rather than see it:
Directions
The shortest route from Cork is to take the R579 to the Nad-Area:
52°2′38″ N 8°53′30″ W
Unfortunately there’s no direct public transport
Ballybrenagan – Beach
My absolute favourite beach for walking is this one.
Suitable for everyone at any season. For walkers, for swimmers, for kids and dogs. In summer barefoot, rest of the year with suitable shoes.
A dream of a beach! It’s sooooo relaxing here.
Proper shoes are an essential asset
particularily out of the season
stoney at the cliffs, but a sandy beach
Directions
From Dunkettle Rdabout take the N25 towards East Cork and leave at Exit 3 on Midleton Rdabout (Direction to Whitegate). Follow the the R630. You will pass Saleen and a few km after passing by this village there’s an exit to R631 and Cloyne. Don’t turn into this but go straight on. However, the next option to leave the R630 to the left is yours. It’s a small, long road. Go straight on the main road until a Stop Sign. Go straight on and turn right at the next tiny street. Follow until the parking area which is at:
GPS: 51°48′16″ N 8°8′7″ W
If you want to join me for a walk or hike, please click here for guided walks in Co. Cork
Fiddane Woodloop
Don’t ask me, why I post this walk now and not earlier. It is one of my favourite trails. Not too short and not too long. Quite easy to walk.
Suitable for everyone and every season, because you have two options to park and you can skip the hill, if necessary. Like with every walk good shoes are always recommended.
When you start here:
GPS: 52°6′27″ N 8°35′20″ W
A small parking area is provided in front of the barrier and then you can walk smoothly up the hill. It’s not very steep and leads through the grassland.
On your way up and depending on the weather you will have a spectacular view over the surrounding area. Such views might give you a feeling of limitless freedom.
Once up the hill, it doesn’t matter which direction you take as it is a circular walk. What ever suits best in that moment, do it.
The total lengths starting from here is approximately 7,5 km.
When you start here:
GPS: 52°7′2″ N 8°34′16″ W
You can park your car next to the gate and simply continue along the trail. This is almost flat without any significant gradient.
The total lengths starting from here is approximately 4,5 km
You will pass by a farm and the gate might be closed, however, there’s a stair provided.
Directions
From Cork City Center take the N20 towards Mallow. Best way is to use Apple or Google maps.
If you want to join me for a walk or hike, please click here for guided walks in Co. Cork
Inchydoney Island
First things first:
As it is a beach walk, please take care of the following:
- Low tide isn’t only a recommendation here, because some parts of the walk might be flooded and in worst case impossible to be used. Though please have a look at the tides before you start to go there. A nice app that works for me perfectly fine is the app:
for iOS: “Tide Times : “republic of ireland”
for Android: “Tides Near Me” - Where’s the wind coming from? The easier task is to have the wind in your back. Most of the times the wind is coming from the West. When you start at the beginning with the path to the right, you’ll have the wind in your back.
As it is a circular walk you can decide, if you go around clockwise or anti-clockwise. - On warm days it might be an unnecessary question if you want to put off your shoes and walk through parts of remaining mud, but on other days it might be essential. That’s why good walking shoes is the best insurance on this walk.
- There are several carparks available, but when it is busy this one is the best to avoid the crowds.
And now let’s go! It’s time to come out of the house after the new virus kept us inside for a long time.
When I parked the car, I was not sure which direction I should start with. But as I’m a 150% right hander, I intuitively went to the right. That it was the right decision, I found out later on that walk.
It starts comfortable on an old tiny road, which is also the approach to the Island House and Gardens.
You pass it by and walk up the hill. Once up the hill you have already a wonderful view to the beach.
It isn’t that steep, but when you feel it is too steep for you, only slow down your pace. Once up the hill you have already a wonderful view to the beach.
Hold on to the right until you meet the road. Cross the road and walk to the left now until the road splits up on the Y-junction. Follow the street right down to the parking area and through the dunes to the beach.
The beach area is divided in 2 areas:
One in front of the hotel and one behind the hotel, separated by the cliff, but also connected by a few stairs.
Spend as much time on the beach as you want. It is one of the nicest beaches in County Cork or return another time only for the beach as such.
At the end of the first beach part take one of the stairs up, cross the parking area and take one of the walks down to the 2nd part of the beach.
Before you go on, check the tide times. The water can return back faster than expected!
When you feel save to go on enjoy this beautiful beach walk. After the next corner the beach changes a bit and can be a bit challenging . It’s not everywhere simple sand. And it’s not always a stable underground.
Sometimes you can sink into the sand deeper than expected and also the muddy parts aren’t only muddy on the surface.
After 5 km you end up at the road again and now you have only 100m over the bridge to your car.
Most probably you first have to clean your shoes 🙂
Directions
From Cork City take the N40 towards West Cork and leave at Exit 3 (Direction to Skibbereen and Bandon). Follow the the N71 until Clonakilty. It’s about 60 km or pretty much an hour to go.
Once arrived in Clonakilty take the 2nd exit on the first Rdabout to stay on the N71 and take on the 2nd Rdabout the 2nd exit to leave. Pass by the Railway Museum and follow the street. Take care the harbour is always on your left side. When the main street turns to the right, follow the tiny street to go straight on.
GPS: 51°36′14″ N 8°52′19″ W
If you want to join me for a walk or hike, please click here for guided walks in Co. Cork
Curragh woods, Co. Cork
This was my first walk nearby recommended by a friend. At the 15.December 2017 I was out there and it is wonderful.
Last weekend I was at Curragh woods again. It hasn’t lost any of its flair. This time I walked one of the trails completely. I can really recommend it. But with baby buggy it’s a bit exhausting, because it’s quite hilly. That’s why children should at least be able to walk well.
Bweeng Duff
Summer has ended and the short autumn goes almost seamlessly into an early winter. The temperatures are at least early in the morning really wintry. We have to get used to it, however, there are still so many sunny days which makes it easy to find the time to go for a walk.
It’s been a while ago that I shared a walk with you. For different reasons. But last weekend I met Conny near Bweeng (don’t ask me how that is pronounced!). It’s a wonderful area with hills, grassland and woodland. Continue reading
Glennagear Woods
In my eyes this summer has been the best since a long time. But all things come to an end and the unpredictable weather is back again in Ireland.
Does it keep us away from going out for a walk? Of course not! We have good shoes, good clothing and if the weather app shows a chance of 50% rain, the likelihood is given, that it won’t rain at all or only drizzle. County Cork and every 20 km a different weather. This was the initial situation that day.
From Inchileigh to Ballydaly Upper
Have I ever been excited about the way markings on some hiking trails? Never before! This trail seems to be the famous exception to the rule. It’s so easy to follow the trail, you will never have the feeling to get lost and it’s fabulous.
However, you should be fit, because the trail is a bit demanding. It’s not suitable for buggies. Dog owners could struggle at the stiles here and there, depending on how good your dog deals with such difficulties. We managed every of these stiles, but it sometimes was a bit tricky.
Hiking shoes are definitely recommended. With good shoes the hiking experience will be a good one.
Castleblagh, Co. Cork
It’s hidden gem. A beautiful walk through the forest and almost flat. And that’s why it’s almost suitable for everybody. And you have 2 options:
- A shorter loop and a longer loop, which includes a part of the Blackwater Way
- With or without a bit a gradient
Meelmane – Barry’s Cove – Butlerstown, Co. Cork
Well, last time I introduced you to the second part of the Seven Heads Walk. And because it was so relaxing and breathtaking, I thought we should do a few more sections, because the area is really something special. And it is summer time. Time to explore County Cork.
This time we start in Meelmane, not far from the place where we turned around last week. A good hint: It might be good to take your bathing clothes with you. And before I forget to mention, walking shoes are on this trail a huge advantage and highly recommended.
The total length of this walk is about 6 km one way and we had our second car parked in Butlerstown.