Fermoyle Loop - Sneem

Decided to run the Fermoyle Loop backwards (anticlockwise) today. Just as enjoyable as clockwise, a little more gradual in ascent until you veer left for a kilometre section of steep road not long before the mountain track section. The views are fantastic and signage is a little easier to follow going this way around. Watch out for white arrows on farm gates, they can be hard to spot.

One of the benefits of going anticlockwise is the option to join the Lomanagh loop after about 10km or so should you want to venture a little further.

Very enjoyable route. Would highly recommend if you were based in Sneem or passing through.

Set off from Sneem early on a damp and cloudy morning to run this trail. The road goes out past the crazy golf and forks left just before the sport's ground. It is a gentle and pleasant ascent up winding country roads.

You eventually come to a holiday cottage where the road ends and you go through a couple of gates. You almost feel like you are walking through someone's back garden. The trail opens out onto a rough track and you get some stunning views, even though it was overcast. The track leads over some footbridges and eventually out at a couple of farm houses. From there it is a winding descent back down to Sneem with some nice views, again on pleasant country roads and plenty of options for breakfast or a drink.

I wore a pair of road runners and was fine but trail shoes would be better for the track sections. Took just over an hour and twenty minutes at a gentle running pace. The walk would take 3 hours.

Thoroughly enjoyable. Well sign posted ...white arrow. 3.5 to 4 hours. Bring a snack. Moderate fitness. Well worth the walk.

I recommend picking up a trail description brochure from the information office in Sneem. It provides trail following instructions as well as interesting details of sites along the trail. The trail could not be easier to follow, mostly on tarmac with adequate markers and numerous markers on the section across open fields. Following the recommended direction, clockwise, it is a gradual uphill, even for a 70ish old guy. We had cloudless, breezy day in mid September and completed it in a little over three hours with few rests. There are some minor boggy areas, but should not prevent you from enjoying the countryside and panoramas.

We walked this today, we were able to complete the entire route no problem, really really well signposted. Find O'Sheas pub, walk beyond the square opposite it, keep going left towards the GAA grounds and follow the white man. It was sunny with some cloud today, but the views were incredible - 360 panoramas in places. We walked from the N70 Parknasilla side, taking the red Kerry Way trail for 2k to get to Sneem - really nice too, forest, brooks and bat sanctuaries. Go back to OSheas for a pint and the views out the back.



Not fit, not unfit but this was fine. About 4hrs, stopping for some grub and pictures.

We set out for this walk from the little triangular park in Sneem.We followed the route as it is on the map, attempting to go clockwise. The route eventually came to a dead end at a Coillte timber cul de sac. We even climbed a couple of farmer gates to go further along what we thought might have been the track but came to a dead end. We went back along the road to where we saw the last way point which brought us along the Lomanagh route which led back to Sneem. This Fermoyle route no longer exists

Did a solo hike 25 April 2014, a windy day that threatened rain, which held off until evening. Lovely, easy hike. Only "trouble" was losing the trail in "Hare Valley." I passed through a gate with a sign that said "Hare Valley, Moon Cottage," or something like that, and there three options to continue, but no signs. So, I took a wrong turn, had to double back and the gentleman who lived there directed me. I was told to expect to be invited for coffee or tea at the Murphy household, but no one was out, a disappointment. There were dogs there that gave me pause.

Did this on the 26th May 2012 on what was one of those all too rare sunny/warm days in Ireland. It was an amazing walk. The 1st half is a moderate climb with nature and mountain scenery all around. On the way back it is a gradual descent for the most part via lovely meadows and farm life. It took me (a slow walker) around 4 hours which included a few sit downs to take in the fantastic views.