KILLARNEY 28, 29, 30th October 2016 (O.S. Discovery series Map No 78)
Saturday 29th ramble and short walk – from Galway’s bridge to Muckross.
Bus leaves hotel 10 am.
Depending on where you want to finish, you can leave your transport at the Gleneagle or Muckross or Torc and get the bus from there to Galway’s bridge. You are on the Kerry way which is well marked but watch out for the left turn shortly after the beginning or you could finish up in Kenmare. This walk is nearly all off road.
Galways bridge to Torc waterfall – 9 km.. Short walkers may wish to finish here.
Torc to Muckross via the short route – 2Km (Total 11Km).
Keep left at Torc for the longer version around Muckross lake to give a total of 15Km.
Most walkers will opt for this more scenic version, unless the weather conditions are bad.
Debrief at Muckross restaurant and find your own way home – car, taxi, jarvey, walk etc.- it is about four extra Km to Killarney and three more to Castlerosse hotel on the Killorglin road (N72).
Sunday 30th ramble in Gap of Dunloe, all on road, from Kate Kearney’s cottage to Lord Brandon’s cottage via the Black Valley (Keep left at junction – 10Km). Bus leaves hotel at 10am.
There are resting facilities at Lord Brandon’s cottage, but have something to eat in case the restaurant is not open.
From here there is an option of:
1.Continuing your walk to Galway’s bridge, to meet the bus for your return journey at 3.30 pm.(4km – all off road). Follow the Kerry Way markings and allow an hour for this part of the walk. OR.
2. A boat trip through the lakes to Ross Castle. Boats operate from March to October, they depart at 2pm, they are weather dependent, the cost is 14.50, the journey time is about one and a half hours and they must be booked 24 hrs in advance. Do your own booking on
http://www.killarneydaytours.com/
Have an extra layer of clothing and good gloves and cap. It can be cold on the lakes this time of year.
From Ross Castle continue your walk for 3Km back to your hotel. Follow the park pathway towards St.Mary’s cathedral. Across the road from the cathedral you will find a pathway leading back to your hotel, more or less parallel to the roadway.
OTHER OPTION: There is a 9Km looped walk in Tomies Wood, by the western shore of the larger lake. Nearly all forest track. See www.killarney.ie
Sunday 30th, short walk . There is a 5km loop walk, Fáine na Locha, on the, http://www.kilarney.ie/ website. Nearly all paved surface. This walk can be accessed from the Castlerosse hotel. Follow the path to the right on the way out, which runs more or less parallel to the road into Killarney. You will pass by St. Mary’s cathedral to your left on the opposite side of Port Road. Keep to your right after that to complete the loop.
Galway Walking Club 