Hiking & Hill Walking in Kerry & Cork

10 Tips for Hill Walking

1. Check the weather forecast: www.met.ie or www.windguru.com.
2. Have a map: OS Discovery Series Map, ideally laminated or in a Ziploc bag.
3. Plan your route: where are you going to start and finish, what distance is it, how long will it take you, any hazards along the way such as streams, rivers or cliffs.
4. Get local knowledge: talk to someone who's already done the walk to find out about places of interest along the way, a good spot to stop for lunch, any access issues.
5. Have the right equipment: boots, waterproofs, spare clothes, hat & gloves, food & drink.
6. Park considerately and ask permission from the landowner to cross their land, if necessary.
7. Leave no trace behind you: everything from tea bags to banana skins should come back with you.
8. If the weather begins to put you under pressure or your own abilities are reaching their limits then recognise it as early as possible and change your route accordingly.
9. Take plenty of photos.
10. Don't lose your car keys!

3 Favourite Locations

Killorglin
Just above the little village of Kells, on the Caherciveen road, follow the Kerry Way along an ancient coaching road, past the solitary Ogham stone on the peak of Drung Hill, through the thick pine woods of Rossbeigh and finish with a refreshing cup of tea or coffee in the Towers Hotel in Glenbeigh. This walk has fantastic views over Dingle Bay and Rossbeigh Beach.

Kenmare
Begin at the little chocolate factory in Bonane village, on the Kenmare/Glengarriff road and follow the Beara Way along narrow country lanes, over a grassy hill pass leading over the Caher Mountains and into the sleepy village of Glengarriff. Casey's Hotel in the village do a great bowl of soup!

West Cork
Gougane Barra Forest Park, in the Shehy mountains, has great forest and nature trails suitable for all abilities. From here the river Lee begins it's journey to the sea. The forest is surrounded by mountains which has excellent hill walking and the friendly family run Gougane Barra Hotel, nestled on the lakeshore, serves delicious food and smooth pints.