O'Loughlins Castle Loop
Mountain Range: Galtee Mountains
Walk: O’Loughlins Castle Loop
Wow Factor: Fantastic views, O’Loughlins Castle (rocky
outcrop, not a real castle)
Distance: Approx. 14km
Duration: 4-5hrs
OSI: 74
Rating: Moderate
Start/Finish Point: R921 284 Lake Muskry Trail Head
Starting at the trailhead car park follow the track crossing over the stile, keep to the right and take the high ground trail
towards Lough Muskry. At R918 252 where the stream crosses the path head west
for the spur coming off spot height 786. To make life easier aim for the col
between 786 and Knockastakeen before commencing your climb, beware of boggy
patches and keep to the higher ground. I won’t lie to you the climb up to spot
height 786 isn’t easy and is a bit of a slog it just goes on and on but once you
have gained the height the rest of the hike is a lot easier and pretty much a
stroll in comparison. Better to take your time, stop often and enjoy the view……
it’s a marathon, not a sprint.
Head East now climbing to the top of spot height 786
towards the col at R916 239 where you will come across O’Loughlins Castle, not
a real castle by the way but a rocky outcrop which is still pretty cool
although a real castle would have been awesome.
O’Loughlins Castle
This is a great spot for a rest and the “Castle” offers a great windbreak during bad weather. So pull out the tea and sandwiches and savor
the peace and quiet.
Once rested its time to tackle the last climb of the day
and the highest point of the hike by climbing Greenane at 802m. For better views
keep to the left looking down on Lough Muskry below but be careful, if the
weather is poor avoid this route.
The ground levels out now with a stroll across to
Farbreaga 724m, you will find a large rocky mound here which makes a great seat
for a final break.
Time to head down now and back to the real world....... the joys, following the North West spur coming
off Farbreaga aiming for the forest below at R926 264, with the forest on your right
continue down to the stream. If the weather has been good the water level will
be low enough to allow crossing if the weather has been poor cross the fence on
your right and look for a safer spot downriver. Once across the stream continue
uphill to meet the track and stile from the start of the hike and return to
the trailhead.
Congratulations another hike completed, time to put your feet up with a cup of tea and take it easy for the rest of the day you deserve it.
Lough Muskry
Mountain Range: Galtee Mountains
Walk: Lake Muskry Walk
Wow Factor: Fantastic views, Corrie Lake
Distance: Approx. 9km
Duration: 3-4hrs
OSI: 74
Rating: Easy-Moderate
A great walk that involves very little navigation with views
of one of the most magnificent lakes in the southeast. A must for all hikers, the lake itself is
easily accessible as there is a track all the way from the main trailhead car
park right to the banks of the lake. This is by no means a walk in the park as
there are some small hills to climb, however, the scenery more than makes up for
it.
Starting at the trailhead car park follow the track
through the woods, I’m afraid the climbing starts here and if you are like me
you will probably have the following thoughts:
-
God, I’m so unfit!
-
I think my heart is going to explode!
-
Should I really be sweating this much?? I just
started!
It takes me a while to get into a rhythm but once I do my thoughts drift to:
-
It’s a great day for a hike!
-
Look at these views!
-
Look how far I have traveled, I feel great!
-
I hope I pass someone on the way back that has
just started so I can feel better about myself knowing how far they have yet to
travel. (harsh but true)
Shortly after you will reach a stile leading out onto the open mountain, the path follows a right-hand bend climbing over rough terrain. Be
careful not to follow the trail marker posts that continue straight ahead, you
will end up in very boggy terrain. Stick to the main trail. It gets a small bit
harder here as the ground consists of loose rock with evidence of water erosion
resulting in deep trenches along the trail. I find it easier to walk closer to
the edge of the track as the ground is more stable and offers better views of
Farbreage and Greenane on your left. Remember to stop and take photos both for
memories but also for Facebook to show your friends what they are missing…………
and of course how awesome you are for doing it.
The ground levels off here for a while……. thank god. But
unfortunately, it will rise again with a vengeance. Before it does you will
cross a wide stream that offers great photo opportunities. Jump down the bank
on your left and take a few snaps.
By now you have surely noticed the hill in front of you.
Break it down, stop when you want to and before you know it you will be at the
top. It looks worse than it is but that’s easy say, however, the lake is just
over that hill so that should be incentive enough. I particularly like taking
people here for their first hike as they get the sense of wilderness and
remoteness with the safety of a marked trail. But it’s the look of wonder and
amazement on their face when they first see the lake that makes it all worthwhile.
Congratulations you made it. Time to sit down and enjoy
the views with that all-important cup of tea, its places like these that make
me wonder do people know what they are missing?? It’s hard to describe to
people what you see but more importantly what you feel when you look out overviews like this, so next time drag them with you! Start planning your next mini
adventure and head for the hills.
The lighter side #1
So the weather is great the sun is out and there isn’t a
cloud in the sky, you are feeling fit and taking this hike in your stride, you
have the whole mountain to yourself……… or so you thought. You look behind you
and a group of hikers is gaining fast. “Damn it” you mutter, no one likes been
hounded on the hills. You have two options push yourself harder to outrun them
or let them catch up and overtake you……… that isn’t a nice feeling. Ok so you
know you can’t outrun them but you don’t want to be overtaken so what do you
do?? Let them pass you but make it look like you had a reason to stop other than
the fact that your lungs are about to explode and you haven’t felt your feet in
the last twenty minutes. How?
·
Stop and redo your laces, an oldie but a goodie.
·
Stop and take some photos, landscape not
selfies.
·
Double-check your map, double-edged sword here
as they may ask if you are lost or need help.
·
Stop and pretend you are engrossed in sending a
text message.
·
Become an emotional mess on the side of the
hill, nobody wants to deal with that and will walk on by…………. Only use in
extreme circumstances.
I’ve been overtaken by people twice my age, there is no
shame in it…………ok I lie there is a bit of shame in it but that’s a fact of life
so to compensate for it I use the above tips to make myself feel better. Have fun
and enjoy yourself, in my experience the people I’ve met on the hill are some
of the nicest people, I have ever met.
Coumshingaun Loop
Mountain Range: Comeragh Mountains
The trail start
to disappear now as the spur merges onto the main plateau however you will have
to scramble a bit in order to reach it. I made the mistake of taking my Husky Sheldon up
this route; it turns out he’s afraid of heights! I mean seriously he wouldn’t move
I had to carry him up to the plateau where he promptly ran headfirst into a
bog but that’s another story.
Once rested
follow the coum around and down the North spur, stop and look back at what you
have achieved……… it’s pretty impressive. Descending the north spur involves negotiating
a rocky pathway so watch your footing and move slowly. Keep to the left and
follow the path off the spur. I highly recommend visiting the Lough at this
stage after all that’s why you are here. The return route involves contouring
around the south spur where you will easily find the trail leading back to the
stile in the forest. Remember the stile can be difficult to spot from a height
so if in doubt aim for the forest and follow the trail down. Well done another adventure completed.
Walk: Coumshingaun Loop
Wow Factor: Fantastic views, Corrie Lake
Distance: Approx. 6km
Duration: 3-3.5hrs
OSI: 75
Rating: Moderate
Start/Finish Point: S341 103 Kilclooney Woods Car Park
This is a great walk that has everything including a bit
of scrambling. The views are magnificent and Coumshingaun itself is a wonder to
behold. But you will work for it. Once you have conquered the south spur and
on the plateau, it gets a lot easier. So take your time, stop often, and enjoy
the views. This will be a walk to remember.
Starting at the Kilclooney Woods car park follow the trail
through the forest until you merge onto a forest road this is a great warm-up
as I am usually fecked by the time I get to the road. Follow the road right to
a clearing; one of these things is not like the other can you spot it? You
should notice a mast cleverly disguised as a tree on your left. Continue on
through the forest climbing a stile out onto the open mountainside. Keep to
the left and follow the trail upwards past a large boulder. Soon you will see
the trial opening out to the right through the stone wall and up onto the south
spur. I generally aim for the large erratic (a rock
or boulder that differs from the surrounding rock and is believed to have been
brought from a distance by glacial action.) on the spur. You can’t miss it;
this is where the climbing starts and the swearing begins usually along the
lines of “Oh god oh god I’m going to die” or “why the hell am I doing this?” but
I promise you it will be worth it. From the erratic follow the path heading up
the spur, I know it looks daunting but it’s quite spectacular so keep at it. You
can make this route as interesting as you like by walking below and around the
rocky outcrops or by climbing over and through them. Follow the trail along the
spur admiring the view of the Lough below on your right.
Follow the trail
as far as you can, it turns a bit to the left and then upwards over rocks and
grass. Once on the plateau follow the coum around to the right and find that
all-important spot to sit down and break out the flask. I really only do this for
my cup of tea, sitting on the edge of the coum listening to the wind letting all
my worries blow away. It’s all downhill
from here so relax and take in the scenery.
Coumduala Loop
Mountain Range: Comeragh Mountains
Walk: Coumduala LoopWow Factor: Fantastic views, lakes, small waterfall.
Distance: 9km
Duration: 3.5-4.5hrs
OSI: 75
Starting/Finish Point: S278 127 Nire Valley Car Park
Rating: Officially rated as hard- above-average level of
fitness. In my opinion, I would rate it as moderate, take your time it’s a marathon, not a sprint.
This has to be one of my favorite walks in the Comeraghs. Starting at the Nire Valley car park follow the waymarkers for the Coumduala loop, you can also follow the waymarkers for The Gap until you reach the stile but instead of crossing over the stile continue upwards keeping the fence on your right. Use the fence as a handrail and follow it uphill. It will start to get a bit tougher here as the terrain gets steeper but stop and look around see how far you have climbed admire the scenery this isn’t a race. You will notice you are gaining height quite fast. Continuing onwards feet slipping, heart-pumping thinking surely any minute now I am going to die the ground levels off, thank the lord!
You will see the Knockanaffrin Ridge ahead of you, continue following the fence. You are getting closer to the top now. It looks worse than it is. As you near the top you will come across a stile to your right and a stile directly ahead of you. Cross over the stile directly in front of you but beware there is quite a drop at the other side. From here you can look down on Coumduala Lough this is one of the best spots to stop for a cup of tea so rest for a bit and enjoy the views.
When you eventually pry yourself away from the serenity of the Lough follow the waymarkers out and down towards the fence. Follow the fence around to the left until it turns right and follow the fence and the waymarkers down and off the hill to cross the bridge and out on to a track and back to civilization. Well done another adventure completed.
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