Going loopy

GO WALK: There are three looped walks at various levels near the village of Tinahely in south Wicklow, writes FRANCIS BRADLEY

INAHELY IS IN the southern reaches of the Wicklow Mountains and is not too far from Wexford. While the hills in this area are diminutive cousins of their larger northern relatives, there is still a variety of walks and trails to keep every level of hillwalker satisfied. None more so than the collection of three looped walks next to the village, which were only officially launched in April 2010.

The walks, which are Fáilte Ireland approvedand are part of the National Looped Walks network, came about after sterling local effort and the co-operation of farmers and land owners.

The trailhead is at the end of what is known locally as “Mangan’s Lane” which is not too far from the centre of the village. Walkers are reminded that this is a farming area and that the narrow Mangan’s Lane is in constant, local use. So walkers are discouraged from parking at the trailhead. Since this type of project would not succeed without the co-operation of farmers and landowners, walkers should leave their cars in the village, at the GAA grounds or in the carpark opposite the nearby Tinahely National School.

There are three looped walks: Kyle loop (20km); Ballycumber loop (14km) and Mangan’s loop (9km). We had intended to do the Kyle loop but by the time we reached our destination, the rain was heavy so we opted for the Ballycumber loop.

Leaving the car at the GAA grounds, we got a lift to the trailhead from a man with a burgundy beret – local schoolteacher and chairman of the successful Tinahely Courthouse Arts Centre – Frank Gallagher. It meant that we stayed dry for a few more precious minutes.

The loops are colour-coded with Ballycumber in blue, so direction finding is straightforward if you stay alert. Following the blue markers, you reach a three-way junction after 300m, where the “yellow man” markers let you know you have joined the Wicklow Way which for the next few kilometres form part of the Ballycumber loop.

Turn right and continue the gradual ascent past a memorial cross. The next three kilometres bring you along an old lane – for the most part well defined and solid but in other parts quite mucky. The lane runs out at a ford and a surfaced road. Turn left onto the road and continue for 250m to the Luke O’Toole memorial stone where you leave the Wicklow Way and go left along a mountain road. After a little over 1km of gradual ascent, a marker points you into a forest on the right. Here, the climb gets slightly steeper which prepares you for what lies ahead. Continue for 30m to the forest edge and turn right. The next 450/500m provides you with the toughest challenge of this loop and brings you to the saddle between Ballycumber Hill and Garryhoe.

Turn right and head west for 0.5km to reach a marker indicating left. A 90 degree turn means you are heading roughly south. Continue downhill to join a grassy lane where you swing left and go to where you meet up again with the Wicklow Way and turn left along it. After a few metres you will arrive at the three-way junction at the start of the walk. It is now only 300m to the end.

This time there was not enough visibility to take in the enviable panoramas on this walk. But this was not my first time here and past experience will continue to draw me back.

A production error resulted in the incorrect map being used with last week’s walk.

Ballycumber loop

Start, finish, distance and time:From the trailhead: 10km, 2.5/3hrs. From the GAA grounds: 13km, 3.5hrs. From the village: 14km, 4hrs. (You can take a taxi from the village to the trailhead).

Suitability:For all ages and skill sets. One short, stiff climb.The walk is not buggy friendly.

Map: OSi Sheet 56, Discovery Series. However, for greater detail visit: tinahely.ieor discoverireland.ie(looped walks) for downloadable maps.

Refreshments: In the village