Mount Hillary, Banteer, Co. Cork
What is the best solution to get to know an area if you are not familiar with it because you have never been there before? You know someone who reads the blog and fortunately lives in the area 🙂 Many thanks to Conny, who supported me here. It was a great day and not only because the weather god meant well with us.
Let’s go to North-West Cork!
Mount Hillary
Mount Hillary is part of the Boggeragh Hills and Mountains. It is a very developed trail from the beginning and only a little steep (according to information of another hiker) before reaching the summit.
There is a small parking area in front of the trail. Let’s start here and go slowly but steady uphill. At the 2nd crossing we turned right and walked further uphill. As you can see from the map, after quite a while, there is a turnoff to the left. This is the last part to the summit.
Conny and me walked a part of the red trail, but had to interrupt on some point, because a sprained ankle kept us away. We turned and followed the complete blue trail. It’s always good to know, when it’s time to interrupt. It was a nice hike. We had a great time, saw a bunch of beautiful flowers and animals, such as butterflies, and in the end we walked a bit more than 9 km.
Maybe one important thing I want to mention:
The trail is more woodland than forest trail and on sunny days it is absolutely recommended to take sunglasses with you. I left mine in my car….. This was my lesson to learn for that day 🙂
Directions:
From Cork City Center take the N20 to Mallow. In Mallow turn onto the N72 to Killarney (1st roundabout, 1st exit). After about 12 km turn left into L1121 to Banteer. Follow this road straight ahead at the first crossroads and turn slightly right at the second crossroads. When you have passed the level crossing, turn right at the next street. The parking lot is then 1.2 km after the turn on the left side.
GPS: 52°7′24″ N 8°50′35″ W
For all who are dependent on public traffic:
There is a train to Banteer, but the best option is either to rent a car or to click here for guided walks in Co. Cork