Archaeological Walk
Altitude/distance: 350m/14km
Route: Ballinskelligs – Boolakeel – Kildreelig – Bolus – Canuig – Coom
Duration: 7-8 hours
Grade: Easy
Dates: All year; contact us for details and dates
Price: Individual and group rates available (minimum six); please contact us for details
The Ballinskelligs to Bolus Walk offers the visitor the perfect introduction to this beautiful area. Beginning on the golden sands of Ballinskelligs Beach, then following the coast to the signalling tower on the summit of Bolus Head and culminating at the wedge tomb in Coom, there is something for everyone on this tour. Whether you are a nature enthusiast, an archaeology or history buff, a photographer or simply a keen rambler with a passion for the outdoors, you will not be disappointed.
What makes it special? Along the way we will visit a number of fascinating archaeological monuments, including the McCarthy Mór Tower House, a 12th Century Augustinian abbey, a Bronze Age stone alignment, an early medieval monastic settlement and many other sites of interest. Photographic opportunities abound with some of the most spectacular coastal and island scenery the west of Ireland has to offer.
Note: This route is also offered as part of a larger package. Please refer to ‘The Skellig Ring Tour’ which can be done as either a three-day walking tour or a single day drive/walk combination tour.
Meeting point: Ballinskelligs Beach car park (10.00am)
Inclusions: Guide and information
Exclusions: Lunch, refreshments and transport
Gear: Due to the variable nature of the Irish climate, it is not unusual for the weather to change quite suddenly, particularly along the coast or in the mountains. It is therefore advisable to prepare for any possibility and check the weather forecast prior to the commencing the walk. The following gear is required:
- Waterproof/windproof outer layer
- Warm inner and mid-layer
- Suitable footwear, preferably waterproof hiking or mountaineering boots
- Change of socks
- Hat and gloves
- Walking poles (optional)
- Small rucksack
- Insect repellent (for midges in the summer)
- Packed lunch (once we depart Ballinskelligs, there is no place along the way to purchase refreshments)
- 1-2litres of water
- Camera (to capture all that fantastic scenery)
A Sacred Mountain
Altitude/distance: 690m/14km
Route: Cahersiveen – Ballycarbery – Cooscrom – Coonana – Knocknatobar – Cahersiveen
Grade: Moderate
Duration: 7-8 hours or 8-10 hours
Dates: All year; contact us for details and dates
Price: Individual and group rates available (minimum six); please contact us for details
Description
As the name suggests, there is something for everyone on this walk. Discover the rarely visited rugged coastline from Cooscrom to Coonana with its abundance of birdlife, hidden coves, dramatic sea stacks and an impressive blow-holes. Explore the remains of ancient forts and scale Knocknatobar along the centuries-old pilgrims’ route. This is a great geographical and cultural introduction to the area, with stunning scenery from start to finish.
What makes it special? We begin our walk at the Cahersiveen Heritage Centre and continue to the idyllically located Ballycarbery Castle. From here we will visit two fine ringforts, Cahergal and Leacanabuaile, both displaying some exceptionally well-preserved features of early medieval domestic settlements. Next port of call is Cooscrom Harbour where we follow the coast to Coonana, encountering along the way an impressive sea stack and a coastal blow-hole in addition to outstanding views of the Blasket Islands and the Dingle Peninsula. For those taking the Knocknatobar option, we follow the pilgrims’ route to the summit where there are unparalleled 360-degree views of the surrounding countryside.
Note: Climbing Knocknatobar is optional and requires an earlier departure time.
Meeting point: Cahersiveen Heritage Centre (10.00am)
Inclusions: Guide and information
Exclusions: Lunch, refreshments and transport
Gear: Due to the variable nature of the Irish climate, it is not unusual for the weather to change quite suddenly, particularly along the coast or in the mountains. It is therefore advisable to prepare for any possibility and check the weather forecast prior to the commencing the walk. The following gear is required:
- Waterproof/ windproof outer layer
- Warm inner and mid-layer
- Suitable footwear, preferably waterproof hiking or mountaineering boots
- Change of socks
- Hat and gloves
- Walking poles (optional)
- Small rucksack
- Insect repellent (for midges in the summer)
- Packed lunch and energy snacks (once we depart Cahersiveen, there is no place along the way to purchase refreshments)
- 2 litres of water (more if one chooses the Knocknatobar option)
- Camera (to capture all that fantastic scenery)
Valentia Island Experience
Altitude/distance: 266m/14km
Route: Portmagee – Bray Head – Culloo – Geokaun – Dohilla – Glanleam – Knightstown
Grade: Easy
Duration: 7-8 hours
Dates: All year; contact us for details and dates
Price: Individual and group rates available (minimum six); please contact us for details
A truly beautiful walk that offers the visitor the chance to discover a wide variety of landscapes in a relatively small geographical area. Dramatic coastal cliffs, rolling hills, desolate windswept boglands and semi-tropical gardens are just some of the highlights encountered on Ireland’s second largest island. Along the way, we will visit a number of well-preserved archaeological sites, experience the island’s diverse flora and fauna and see some of the oldest footprints known on the planet. All this set against a backdrop of some of the most awe-inspiring scenery the southwest of Ireland has to offer.
What makes it special? Crossing from the mainland to Valentia Island, we will first visit the Skellig Experience, a heritage centre providing a detailed cinematic, pictorial and literal account of the archaeology and natural environment on the Skelligs. From here we will continue to Bray Head, and follow the pathway to the 18th Century signal tower, along the way stopping to explore the remains of some booleying huts and the remnants of a prehistoric trackway and field system. From the signal tower we will continue along the cliffs to the north, with stunning views of the Blasket Islands and Dingle Peninsula, until we reach Culloo and its wonderful rockscape where again we explore some prehistoric sites, a holy well dedicated to St Brendan and some enigmatic stone crosses.
Following the coast to Fogher cliffs, we will begin the ascent to Geokaun viewing point, the highest point on the island, which provides unrivalled 360 degree views of the surrounding countryside, with Dingle to the north, the Skelligs to the west, the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks to east and the Portmagee channel to the south. From Geokaun, we descend to the Valentia slate quarries and grotto, then to the Dohilla to view the world-renowned tetrapod footprints believed to be in excess of 350 million years old, followed by a short journey through lush vegetation to Glanleam and its famed tropical gardens.
Finally we come to Knightstown, the principal village on the island, where one will have the opportunity to browse some of artisan shops and cafes and relax before our return to Portmagee. Other sites of interest may also be included in the itinerary but are dependent on time and weather constraints.
Note: This route is also offered as part of a larger package. ‘The Skellig Ring Tour’ can be done as either a three-day walking tour or a one-day drive/walk combination tour. Contact us for more details.
Meeting point: Car park at bridge in Portmagee (10.00am)
Inclusions: Guide and information
Exclusions: Lunch, refreshments and transport
Gear: Due to the variable nature of the Irish climate, it is not unusual for the weather to change quite suddenly, particularly along the coast or in the mountains. It is therefore advisable to prepare for any possibility and check the weather forecast prior to the commencing the walk.
• Waterproof/windproof outer layer
• Warm inner and mid-layer
• Suitable footwear, preferably waterproof hiking or mountaineering boots
• Change of socks
• Hat and gloves
• Walking poles (optional)
• Small rucksack
• Insect repellent (for midges in the summer)
• Packed lunch (once we depart Portmagee, there is no place along the way to purchase refreshments)
• 1-2 litres of water
• Camera (to capture all that fantastic scenery)
