A beautiful varied walk of 13km which can be walked in it's entirety or devided between the uphill and downhill section. The uphill section will reward the walker with sea views while the downhill section takes you down to Castlemaine harbour with great views across to the MacGillycuddy reeks. Watch out for Otters
Start: Walking information board Annascaul Distance: 7.5 Km Rating: Moderate Terrain: Road/Hill Time: 2.5 hours The three peaks of Annascaul - Enjoy walking the three peaks of the Brackloon and the magnificent views of the Slieve Mish mountains, the Com Dubh river system, majestic Dingle Bay and the world renowned Inch beach and Dingle bay.
This 7.5km walk incorpoates three peaks, Meelin, Brackloon and Knockafeehane. It forms part of the Dingle Way and is No1 of Annascaul Loop Walks. Follow the Dingle Way (towards Inch) for 2km. Cross the stile on the right hand side of the road and proceed up the sheep pasture to another stile which leads to the open heath. The rocky outcrop (301m) marks the eastern extremity of the ridge. Take in the views to the east of Inch and Castlemaine harbour, to the south to Rossbeigh and Glenbeigh, to the north to Beenoskee and Stradbally mountains and west to Mount Eagle and Brandon mountains.
The track leads west by south west almost parallel to the sea along the ridge following the way marker posts towards Brackloon (270m). On reaching the last peak Meelin (270m) the ground drops steeply on three sides. Walk downward veering left and then right following the path to the wire fence.
Following the fence carefully descend to the stile at the end of the path. Follow the steps down to the main Annascaul/Inch road (R561). Turn right towards Annascaul and take the second turn to the right onto the Ardrinane road and back to the village.
Glanteenassig is a 450 hectare area of Coillte woodland, mountain, lake and peatland, situated in a sheltered valley among the Slieve Mish mountains. There are three waymarked trails and about 8 km of forest road in this block of forest providing the ideal location for a long hike or for a family cycle.
To reach it, the visitor must step off the beaten track, travel up the valley and feel the remoteness of the mountains. Behind the trees the area abounds with streams, lakes, waterfalls and dramatic cliffs which characterise this untamed landscape. The wood is approached through a small grove of beech between the entrance and a bridge that spans the Owencashla river. Just over the bridge is a car park. The forest, typical of those which were established in the 1950’s and 60’s consists mainly of sitka spruce and lodgepole pine. However, there are some pockets of silver fir, larch and beech in the more sheltered areas and some native species such as birch, alder and holly. As areas mature and are clear felled much of the spruces are being replaced with larch, alder and mountain ash in keeping with the primeval forests that once colonised the area.
08:00 Car park closes: 22:00 (summer); 18:00(winter)
Photos
Glenteenasig 4
Gleann Tí an Easaigh /Glanteenassig Wood Walking Trail
The first opportunity to experience the beauty of Glanteenassig is about 1.2 km from the car park. Just after crossing a wooden bridge, take a left along the trail to the shore of Lough Slat. This quiet and serene lake sits below the imposing hill of Doon and the majestic rock face of Carrigaspanaig. This scene can be even more dramatic after heavy rain when “ a thousand wild fountains rush down to that lake from their home in the mountains ”. ( J.J Callinan ) It is easy to understand the origin of the name Glanteenassig or Gleann Tí an Easaigh which translates to the Valley of the Waterfalls.
Back to the forest road and take the trail to the right which leads the visitor up along the bank of the river Owencashla and back on to the road again. Continue along the road to a T junction, take a left and after 100 metres you are on the shores of Lough Caum with a board walk right around the lake. This lake is a trout angler’s paradise. From here the landscape opens up to a 360° vista of mountain, forest, lake and valley. Retrace your steps from here back to the T junction and continue on over a ford on the infant river travelling east for about 600 metres when suddenly the whole of Tralee bay with the Stack’s mountains in the background comes into view.
As well as the 3 waymarked trails there is about 8 km of forest road in this block of forest. This provides the ideal location for a long hike or for a family cycle. Although remote, Glanteenassig is only about 6 km from the sandy beaches at Castlegregory thus providing the perfect diversion for the holiday maker on the days not suited to the beach or when one tires of sun and sand. To get away from it all there is no better place to spend a day or even an afternoon.
Park opening hours and further information available from:www.coillteoutdoors.ie or www.irishtrails.ie
This is a fairly gentle walk along minor roads and lanes which starts and ends in Annascaul Village and brings you to the the birthplace of sculptor Jerome Connor and the grave of Antartic Explorer Tom Crean. It should take about an hour and a half, but allow more time if you wish to visit Annascaul Lake. Walk: Siúlóid Lúibe Com Dubh Start/Finish: Annascaul Bridge Distance: c. 8.5km Map: No. 70, Discovery Series Walking Booklet: Page 22
Download Walking booklet pdf
Siúlóid Lúibe Com Dubh start point
Siúlóid Lúibe Com Dubh
A to B Start at Annascaul Bridge. You will see signs indicating “The Foot of the Hill Loop Walk” and “Sean Droichead Com Dubh Loop Walk”. Also notice the marker post with red arrow. There will be a number of these on the walk to indicate the correct route. Pass over the old bridge over the Annascaul River and along the Main Street of Annascaul Village. You will see the South Pole Inn, opened by Antarctic explorer Tom Crean. On the other side of the road, opposite the post office stands a statue of Crean in a small memorial park. The wide pavements of the village are the location of a lively horse fair twice a year. When you reach the end of the village take the first turn left.B to C As you take this road you will be heading towards the glacial valley containing Annascaul Lake. The “coom” with its steep cliff walls is clearly visible.C to D As you pass through a farm be sure to follow the direction post that lead you straight on. At the crossroads turn right, again following the red marker post.D to E After crossing a bridge near some forestry plantations, you should be able to see a large ring fort in a field to your left. Eventually you will arrive at a junction with a triangle of grass. If you wish to make a short detour to Annascaul Lake, you should go straight ahead (it is well signposted). You will pass through a gate and reach a viewing area with car park.E to F Follow the red marker posts and turn left. After passing a few houses you will see the monument marking the birthplace of sculptor Jerome Connor (1874-1943). Connor, who worked in the USA and Dublin, has a number of public sculptures on both sides of the Atlantic.F to G Continue along this road until you reach a crossroads.Continue straight ahead, following the sign to Ballinacourty graveyard and Tom Crean’s grave.G to H Continue past farms and houses and over a bridge. Ballinacourty Graveyard is on your left. It is an ancient graveyard, which once housed a parish church and is now closed for burials. In the furthest corner from the gate you will find the box tomb where Tom Crean was interred in 1938.H to I and J On leaving the burial ground follow the red marker posts out of Ballinacourty village and onto the road back to AnnascaulJ to K and A The road takes you past the farmyards of Annagap. Eventually you will see a square, stone-built tower on your right. This was the water tower for the locomotives of the Tralee and Dingle Railway. The railway crossed the road at this point and nearby was Annascaul station. From here the road back to the village is still known as “Station Road”, although the railway closed in 1953. As you pass the large industrial building on your left (the Connor Crean Centre, named after Annascaul’s two most famous sons) look back and you will see the stone railway viaduct over the Annascaul River. Station Road now brings you back to your starting point at Annascaul Bridge
Start: Tom Crean Garden Annascaul Village Distance: 5 Km Rating: Easy Terrain Time: 2 hours This road walk begins at the Tom Crean Garden and sculpture in Annascaul Village and goes directly to his birthplace at Gortacurrane. The walk then goes to his final resting place at Ballinacourty Graveyard and ends at his pub 'The South Pole Inn' back in the village. A lovely tribute walk to our most enduring polar explorer.
walking Brochure
Tom Crean Trail - Long
Start: Tom Crean Garden Annascaul Village Distance: 16.5Km Rating: Easy Terrain: Road Time: 5 hours Beginning at the Tom Crean Garden this walk goes west out of Annascaul village, turning left on the R561. Turn right to a quiet back road which leads past the old Coast Guard Station at Minard Cove and then north west across the N86 to his birthplace at Gortacurrane and his final resting place at Ballinacourty Graveyard to finish at his pub 'The South Pole Inn'.
walking Brochure
More info
Tom Crean Artic Explorer
Tom Crean was born in Gortacurraun, outside Annascaul on the Dingle Peninsula. Tom attended Brackloon National School before enlisting in the British Royal Navy in 1893. He was a member of Captain Scott's 1911–13 Terra Nova Expedition, which saw the race to reach the South Pole lost to Roald Amundsen, and ended in the deaths of Scott and his polar party. He was also second officer on the Endurance under Ernest Shackleton. After the ship became beset in the pack ice and sank, he spent months drifting on the ice and undertook an open boat journey of 800 nautical miles from Elephant Island to South Georgia. After his Antartic adventures he retired from the navy in 1920 and with his wife Ellen Herlihy opened a pub, The South Pole Inn in Annascaul village where they settled and raised a family. He died from a burst appendix in July 1938 and is buried in Ballinacourty graveyard. In July 2003 a statue of Tom Crean sculpted by Eamon O’Doherty was unveiled in a small memorial garden across the road from the South Pole Inn.
