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
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.

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.
 
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.
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.

 

Coumduala Loop


Mountain Range: Comeragh Mountains
Walk: Coumduala Loop
Wow 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 manage to break yourself away from the scenic views cross back over the stile and now cross over the stile on your left heading in an easterly direction with the fence on your left. Should you encounter poor visibility just remember to follow the fence downhill. After a small bit more climbing the route will descend and level out to reach what’s known as “The Gap”. From here you have two options you can follow the track from the gap back to the car park (approx. 1hr) or you can continue out to the view the Sgilloge Loughs.

 If you decide you want to see the Loughs then fantastic you won’t be disappointed. From the gap walk approx. 100m eastwards with the fence on your left until you come to the next waymarker. At the waymarker turn right and you will find a distinct trail leading off in a south-westerly direction. It will take approx. 1 hour to reach the Loughs but there are waymarkers along the way. A good tick off point to note will be the stream crossing. You are approx. halfway there at this stage. Keep the waymarkers insight and you will be fine. The trail takes a left, try to keep the high ground no point making hard for yourself with one last climb now up and into the Loughs, find a nice spot to sit and rest while enjoying the views. Relax sit back and have a cup of tea you deserve it.

Stop now and listen, what do you hear? I hear the waterfall splashing of the rocks as it flows continuously from the heights above me downwards to disappear before the Lough and nothing else other than the sounds of nature. No cars, no TV, no problems.  And this is why I hike.

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.