Derrynane loop
near Derrynane, Munster (Ireland)
Viewed 1657 times, downloaded 64 times
Trail photos
Itinerary description
Waypoints
Derrynane national historic park
A short drive from Waterville brings you to this free car park with spaces for coaches and campers.
The house
Instead of heading into the grounds of the house, head toward the coast down a grey gravel path that leads to cropped grass heading towards the sea. There are a number of worn paths, head right. Have a look back at the gardens and out to see.
Beach
It would be easy to spend the whole day on the beach at Derrynane, though it would be a shame to miss the rest of the area completely. On the far side of the beach is a tidal island. If the tide's not high it's easy to get to.
Leaving the beach at Abbey Island
A stone path leads up to the burial ground housed in the ruined abbey
Abbey Island hare
On the island, there are no paths and plenty of marshy areas. The rare Kerry lily can be found here. It's easy to return to the beach and pick up the trail again, although a climb up to the higher parts of the island will be rewarded with excellent encompassing sea and mountain views.
Inland from Abbey Island
Heading round the island rather than returning to the abbey, which would have been easier
Cove
After leaving the island and crossing the beach to a car park, turn left to pick up the trail again. Look for a marked gap in the wall on the right side of the road before the pier and follow the path between fences and cut rhodedendrons.
Shoreline
Passing the Derrynane inshore response building, the path winds around the rocky shoreline
Shade
Huge rhodedendron bushes provide a break from the sun. Or a place for huge puddles to collect, depending on the weather.
Steps up the rock
At one cove, the path isn't obvious until you notice the steps cut into the rock.
Harbour
Dropping back to the shore one last time to leave a private road at the harbour reveals some houses, one of which is abandoned
View from the abandonded house
This could be a garden would be in the teeth of winter's gales and storms. Beautiful in summer though.
Climbing
The road from the harbour climbs, but not too quickly, away from the coast up the hill.
Path to Caherdaniel
After following the road for a while, the path to Caherdaniel is clearly signed.
'The best view in Ireland'
The trail climbs slowly up the hillside, sort of following the contour of the hill. At the very top is a sign for a B+B and a flat rock that makes an excellent place to sit and enjoy what I'm told is the best view in Ireland.
Restored summer house
the map says, but it would be disappointing if this were not actually the home of a bearded wizard
Comments (1)
You can add a comment or review this trail
traumhaft schöne Wanderung die ich schon mehrmals gelaufen bin. Eine der schönsten Wanderungen die ich kenne.
Ich bevorzuge die Tour entgegen dem Uhrzeiger, also zuerst den Berg (Hügel) hoch.