BLACKROCK HILLWALKING CLUB
‘Competence and Independence on the Hills and Mountains’
SCHEDULE OF WALKS February – May 2010
Important Note: Walk Leader to be contacted (by text) day before walk to confirm participation in walk and walker’s name.
FEBRUARY 2010
SUNDAY 07th (A+) Carrauntuohill
This is via the Gates and down the Bone.
Meeting: Lislebane car park, 9.30am.OR Texaco 9 am
Leader: Mike Cremin 085 1741202
SUNDAY 14th (B+) The Comeraghs
This is called Cnoc an Aifreann (Mass rock / mountain) and is in the northern Comeraghs, very beautiful and spectacular. The walk is 5-6 hours so fit walkers only! We’ll start in the Coomshingaun car park and head north to Crotty’s Lake, discover Crotty’s cave, cross the gap and go up the cliffs to the summit. We then go around towards the Nire Valley and up onto the Comeragh plateau before coming down the southern arm of Coomshingaun – long but very enjoyable!
Meeting: Campus Garage Dungarvan, 9.30am
Leader: Declan O’Driscoll 087 2631288
SUNDAY 21st (C) Clonlee Loop Walk
This is an easy 10 mile walk partly along the Beara Way west of Kenmare. Our walk takes us in a clockwise direction parallel to the mountains on the outward leg and on the way back along the Kenmare Bay coastline. The walk is on quiet country roads near the townland of Lauragh.
Meeting: Kenmare, the new SuperValu across from the Church, 10.00am
Leader: Michael Grainger 087 2206360
SUNDAY 28th (B) Ballyhoura Way
This is another favourite with the club. It is a circular way marked trek along the forest tracks at Ballyhoura and upwards.
Meeting: Great Gas Service Station Ballyhea, 10.00am
Leader: Dave Burke 086 2450082
SUNDAY 28th (C) The Chimney Fields
Close to home and previously enjoyed by many members a while back; a mix of road, and woodland track including a famine graveyard and mass rock. Boots essential. About 4 hours walking.
Meeting: Ballyvolane Shopping Centre car park, 10.30am (near recycling point)
Leaders: Edel & Tim 087 2576260
MARCH 2010
Saturday 06th (A+) Coomloughra Horseshoe
This is for experienced fit walkers only. It will be a long hard day and will involve trekking over six or seven summits which include the three highest in Ireland - Beenkeragh, Caher and Carrauntuohill. It will also mean we have to scramble over a ridge that is not for the faint hearted. The day will take at least 7 hours of continuous walking at a steady pace.
Meeting: Texaco Service Station, Killarney, 09.00am to carpool
Leader: Kieran O’Halloran 087 2907612
SUNDAY 07th (C) Butlerstown, Seven Heads Walk
A loop walk, 5 miles, quiet back roads, a stretch of muddy famine track. Panoramic views over treeless country with Courtmacsherry Bay and the Old Head of Kinsale to the east. Heather and gorse, small rocky coves with pebble beaches.
Meeting: Timoleague Abbey 10.30am
Leaders: Edel & Tim 087 2576260
SUNDAY 14th (B+) Purple & Tomies
This can be soft and muddy in places so depending on the underfoot conditions, gaiters
may be required. A challenging, safe walk through the Gap of Dunloe to the top of Purple Mountain, then on to Tomies Mountain, and descend into Dunloe Lower. If the day is clear there will be good views of the Lakes of Killarney on one side and the Reeks on the other.
Meeting: Kate Kearney’s Cottage, 09.30am
Leader: Mike Cremin 085 1741202
SUNDAY 21st (C) The Borlin Valley
You are all familiar with one of Henry’s favourite walks. He begins this walk at the Kerry side near Kilgarvan. You can call Henry for further details on walk, meeting time and place.
Meeting: Kilgarvan (near Jackie Healy Rae’s) 10.00 for 10.30am
Leader: Henry Caulfield 087 9395884
SUNDAY 21st (A) Coomsaharan Horseshoe
This A+ walk will be lead by Colm. The meeting point will be decided at a later date.
Meeting: contact Colm for details
Leader: Colm Burke 087 9447659
SUNDAY 28th (B) The Galtees
It might be a B walk but today we’re going all the way to the top, weather permitting. On the track and then off up to the summit. And the option is always there for anyone to simply do Galtee Beag if they so choose.
Meeting: Mitchelstown Service Station, 10.00am
Leader: Michael Grainger 087 2206360
APRIL 2010
SUNDAY 04th (B) Coomaloughra North - East Gulley
Situated south west of Glencar and west of Mullaghanattin, this walk starts off through fields, boggy ground followed by easy to hard scrambling up a gully to Coomaloughra Lake and then down a ridge to the valley again. Depending on the weather it can be extended to take in some of the rocky terrain on top, walking time about 4.5 hours.
Meeting: Texaco Garage Killarney, 09.00am
Leader: Dominic Sweeney 087 2020988
SUNDAY 04th (C) Torc Mountain, Killarney
This is an easy road-way walk
Meeting: Molly darcy's car park 10.30am
Leader: Henry Caulfield 087 9395884
SUNDAY 11th (A+) The Eastern Reeks via Cnoc an Chuiminn Ridge
A long walk in from Cronin’s Yard to the base of the first of two ridges we will hike over today. The first ridge is nice and easy but one that will certainly flex out those muscles! The ridge will bring us to the top of Cnoc an Chuiminn at 958m. From here we will hike to our next ridge, The Big Gun. The day will take about 6 to 7 hours and is only for the fittest and most adventurous. Not for the faint hearted!
Meeting: Cronin’s Yard, 09.30am
Leader: Evan Roberts 086 6004091
SUNDAY 11th (B+) Cnoc an Chuiminn Ridge
Anyone on this walk should have a good level of fitness and be up for a challenge. The walk in from Cronin’s yard is long and will bring us to the bottom of a ridge. The ridge is easy and for any of you who have not done a ridge before this is the one to start with. And for anyone who is a bit unsure, don’t be put off, come along for the challenge and you can always take the path around anything you are not sure of. At the top you will follow the other trekkers ahead but then descend the Bone and back to Cronin’s Yard. Approximate walking time is expected to be 6 hours.
Meeting: Cronin’s Yard, 09.30am
Leader: Denis O’Sullivan 085 1743275
SUNDAY 18th (C) Rostellan
This will be an easy and leisurely walk exploring the interesting Rostellan Woods near East Ferry between Whitegate and Midleton. There are some interesting archaeological features along the way. We will meet at the service station just beyond the big roundabout outside Midleton on the right hand side on the road to Whitegate. But, please ring Margaret to confirm.
Meeting: 12.00 noon, Service station at Midleton roundabout on Whitegate Road
Leader: Margaret O’Driscoll 087 6384503
SUNDAY 18th (A) Black Valley Surprise!
This A walk will be in the Black Valley – a surprise in store for all who go. Contact Colm for details.
Meeting: Kate Kearney’s Cottage, 9.30am
Leader: Colm Burke 087 9447659
SUNDAY 25th (B+) & (B) The Comeraghs Coumshingaun Lough
The last time we did this trek the weather was perfect and we had a large group at all levels out for the day. It is the kind of day that everyone will get something from. The walk includes a lovely ridge that can be as easy as you want as there are paths around all obstacles or you can challenge yourself and have a go at some light scrambling. We will lunch at the top then head off again all around the Coumshingaun Lough. It may be a 5 to 6 hour day as it is to be enjoyed at a leisurely pace.
Meeting: Campus Garage Dungarvan, 10.00am
Leader: Evan Roberts 086 6004091
MAY 2010
SUNDAY 02nd Bank Holiday
SUNDAY 09th (A) Gleninchaquin
This A trek will start off with a stiff climb to the top of a ridge, then walking the ridge with spectacular views left and right over Kenmare Bay. Lunch at the highest point will give us great views of Lake Inchaquin.
Meeting: Kenmare, the new SuperValu opposite the Church, 09.30am.
Leader: Evan Roberts 086 6004091
SUNDAY 09th (B) Cummeengeera
Situated 17 miles south west of Kenmare through the village of Lauragh and west of Glanmore Lake, this is a high level walk along cliffs and steep slopes around the remote valley of Cummeengeera with magnificent views on a clear day. No difficulties except navigation in bad visibility.
Meeting: Kenmare, the new SuperValu opposite the Church, 09.30am
Leader: Dominic Sweeney 087 2020988
SUNDAY 16th (B) & (B+) Carrauntuohill via Caher
This is one of the longer treks to get up to Carrauntuohill but is the most straightforward. You will need gaiters as the beginning of the trek is very boggy. It can take up to two hours to get to the top of Caher and we can then decide whether we want to continue or not. Rest assured there will be no scrambling or climbing on this one.
Meeting: Texaco Garage Killarney, 9.15am
Leader: Contact Jackie Furlong 087 2898124
SUNDAY 16th (C) Walk to the Base of Carrauntuohill
Henry will lead this C walk into the base of Carrauntuohill. Contact Henry for further details about the walk and to confirm the meeting time.
Meeting: Texaco Garage Killarney, time to be confirmed
Leader: Henry Caulfield 087 9395884
SUNDAY 23rd (A+) Cruach Mhor by Brassel East Ridge: the Eastern Reeks with a twist!
This is an epic day that takes in some great scrambling on Brassel Ridge, followed by some of the classic ridge scrambles on Cumeenapesta and the Big Gun before returning back to base in the Black Valley via Cnoc na dTarb and Drishana. Weather permitting we’ll have some magnificent views of three of the principal valleys at the heart of the reeks: The Gap of Dunloe, The Black Valley and The Hag’s Glen.
Contact Colm for queries and further details.
Meeting: Texaco Garage Killarney 09.15am
Leader: Colm Burke 087 9447659
SUNDAY 30th (B+) Hungry Hill
This trek is to Hungry Hill; a steady continuous uphill climb, a moderate / steep gradient. A southwest ridge scramble (easy) is an option. We could continue around the ridge and go all the way around this time.
Meeting: The Cottage Restaurant Glengariff, 10.00am
Leaders: Evan Roberts 086 6004091 Harry Burke 085 1533811
EASTER TRIP …. CONNEMARA
Evan Roberts is organising a Club trip away. Its from Fri 02 April to Tue 06th April and the destination is Connemara and The Twelve Bens. The number of days is to be decided and can be discussed by contacting Evan.
If you have a query or are interested, please contact Evan Roberts as soon as possible.
Mobile: 086 6004091
THE JUNE WEEKEND…….In The Dingle Peninsula
Helen Goggin is organising a Club weekend away.
It's the June weekend, Fri June 4th to Sunday June 6th.
The destination is the Dingle Peninsula, based in Ballyferriter.
As this is likely to be a very busy weekend, we are trying to get an idea of number of members interested. If you interested please contact Helen Goggin, contact details -
Mobile: 086 8756547 Email: helgogs@gmail.com