THIS week our walk takes us to Killarney (Cill Airne - The Church of Sloes). One of the world's best loved tourist spots, it is an ideal place for the enthused walker to mix scenery and nature with keeping fit.
Killarney has numerous walks that will suit everyone from some as short as a mile long, to others that could last several days.
Today's walk will bring us around a section of Ireland's oldest oak forest, Tomies Wood on the outskirts of Killarney, one of my favourite wood walks. It forms part of the Killarney National Park (Pairc Naisiunta Chill Airne) and is the perfect escape from the madding crowd. As you explore the beauty of majestic oaks and the underlying vegetation, you can see the colourful flowers and mosses that grow in abundance, evidence of an ecosystem that is alive and flourishing. As you stroll along the forest's well-tracked paths you can admire the beauty of Lake Leane, Killarney's largest.
DIRECTIONS FROM KILLARNEY:
Leave Killarney on the main Killorglin Road (N72), and pass the Killarney Golf Club and the Europa Hotel until you come to the first turning on the left. At the signpost for the Gap of Dunloe, turn left. Continue along the road for one mile until you come to a T-junction. A signpost indicates "Lough Leane 3/4 kilometres". Right at the bend take a sharp left turn and continue along this narrow road until you come to a small bridge. Stop the car here (there is room for about 15 cars along the side of the road), or continue to the end of the road to the lake and walk back to the bridge, the start of your walk.
THE ROUTE:
A signpost now directs you to Tomies Wood, up a narrow boreen where you will come to a stile and gates after 100 m, leading to a farmyard (Cremins). Please stay on the road as this is a working farm and respect the country code by closing all gates and keeping dogs on a lead. After leaving the farmyard continue on to the next stile and gate and cross over. You have now entered Killarney National Park.
Cross over the stream flowing from Tomies Mountain over a make-shift timber bridge. Keep on the main path for 200 m as you turn an obvious bend in the road (do not take first left-hand boreen) turning left at the next boreen, which will bring you down a dream-like walk deep into the majestic oak forest - like Alice in Wonderland's "dream forest". From here on, keep your eyes peeled, as the forest is full of wildlife. You may spot deer lurking in the woods as well as many other forms of life. Continue on to the end of a small hill and cross the stream by a makeshift timber bridge (be careful crossing) and continue uphill on track. As you travel uphill, the most beautiful views of Killarney come into sight: Loch Leane, which is renowned for its beauty and fishing; the famous monastic island of Inisfallen; the home of the O'Donough clan which was built in the 15th century; Ross Castle, peering through the forest below. The views of Killarney arc just magnificent as you make your way to the turning point in the track at the top of the hill. The track then turns, bringing you back across the upper road of the forest, to the entrance gate of the National Park, which you left earlier. Continue back to where you started; as you go, admire the vistas of the forest and countryside around you.
This walk blends the beauty of mountain, woods and water to give you a great day out on a well-tracked route.
INFORMATION:
Distance: 8 km (4.8 miles).
Time: To enjoy the forest, give it three to four hours.
Transport: You need a car to get to the starting point of the walk, as directed above.
Car parking: Just before bridge as above, or continue to lake shore and walk back road to start of walk.
Refreshments: Stock up before you leave but an ideal place to eat and go for a pint later is the famous Kate Kearney's Cottage in The Gap of Dunloe, two miles from the start.
Other suggestions: Walks around Muckross House. Walks in and around Knockreer House in the Demesne adjacent to the town. A walk in through the Gap of Dunloe. The whole area of Killarney is a mecca for the walker and this is just one example of many beautiful walks that the averagely fit person can undertake.
Reference for maps: Map for Route Ordnance Survey of Ireland: 1:50000 Sheet 78. There is also a better map Killarney: 1:25000.
