Ballyhourigan Woods Loop

This is a very nice trail for an afternoon trek. The path underfoot is mostly well worn forestry track and is very comfortable to walk on. It is very well marked from the trailhead and I found all the markers were correct and were always in the places you needed them (something not guaranteed on other trails I have been on!) The route begins by gently but consistently ascending the side of the hill. It can be a bit strenuous but once you reach about the mid way point (marked C on the map) it starts to slowly descend back to the trailhead. The scenery is of the usual generic alpine tree plantation that you find on so many Irish trails but there are some excellent views to be had once you start descending from point C and towards the end of the trail the woodland changes to native Irish trees which provides a nice finish to the trek. At point C on the map there is a spur to continue up to the summit of Keeper hill. It looked a bit daunting for me so I just continued on the loop but I plan to come back another time and go for the summit! A nice surprise on the trail was a signpost for a mass rock which lead to a small path up to the rock, it was a nice diversion that was only a few minutes off trail that I would recommend. Just to something to note about the car park. Once you reach the point where you are to turn off the main road you will see a sign say car park. This is not the actual car park for the trail, turn off the main road and continue until you reach the car park with the trailhead map. This is about a half a mile from the main road.