Route two
suitable for walking only.
LENGHT: Approx. 3ml/5 km.
TIME:
2 hours
CLOTHING:Sensible shoes/boots BE PREPARED!
Section A As for section
A in route 1.
What better place to strat than at the
monument to one of the area's famous son's Dan O'Leary, a champion
in the world of walkers. This is situated in the midle of
Rathbarry village in an areaknow locally as the Caiteach.
Glaotar "An Caiteach" ar an gCrosbhotlar seo. From here go north-east
in the Clonakilty direction, passing teh information board and stop at
Rathbarry
Church , Seipal Naomh Mhicil. Go to the back of the church and descend
the 60 or is it 70 steps? Now head west, back to the 'Caiteach'. An bhfaca
tu an Tobair, An Scoil? Have you seen the Well,
Sprigging
School, Museum,
etc.?
Section B: From the 'Caiteach' head west
until you reach a stone built gate lodge on your right, opposite this
is a pathway which leads to the Long Strand. This path is know as the
'Lake
Walk' and was originally developed by the Crabery's, on your left
is the marsh and your right the 'Big Wood', this has been replanted by
Coilte, eventually you will see Kilkern Lake on your left. At the end
of the Lake Walk you come out at another stone built lodge, facing the
Long Strand. As in route
1 section B, you have three choices here:
One. turn right, staying on the road until you come tot the Maryland café on your left. On your right you should have a fine view of both Rathbarry Castle and Castlefreke.
Two. Cross the road and enter the sand dunes, turn to the right and wander up and down the valleys and ridges of the dunes, keep the Atlantic on your left and eventually you will arrive at the Maryland café.
Three. Cross the road
and walk straight across teh dunes and onto the strand, again turn right
and head for the café.
At the café cross the road and descend the steps, follow the path into
the forest, Lough Rahavarrig is on your right. Keep to the left and take
the high path. When you reach the top you meet another path, you can turn
left or right. Turning left the path rises further to the top of Croaghna
Hill, here there is one of the largest Celtic
stone crosses in Ireland, dedicated to the memory of the ninth Baron
Carbery.
return along the path again. Turning right you gradually descend through
the forest and emerge out onto 'The Avenue'. Turn right, you should have
a fine view of Castlefreke on your left, and a view of Rathbarry Church
and 'Castle' on your right. Proceed along 'The Avenue' and this leads
to the stone built gate
lodge opposite the entrance tot the lake walk. Turn left, back into
Rathbarry Village, congratulations, you have finished the second 'Figure
of Eight'. Along 'The Avenue' there are many paths you could take, one
of these leads tot the tallest tree in the forrest. Which one, and how
tall is the tree?
GO NEIRI AN BOTHAR LEAT.