Boolas Loop
Grade
Strenuous
Length
6.6 km
Time
4 hours
Format
Loop
Ascent
440 m
Dogs Allowed
No
Waymarking
Purple arrow
Start Point
Curraheen
Finish Point
Curraheen
Nearest Town to Start
Rathgormack
Grid Ref.
S 306 154
Lat. and Long.
52.290962, -7.552368
This walk on off-road track, field and open ground on the slopes of the Comeragh Mountains takes you in the shadow of Carrignagower Mountain to the Boolas (Coum Iarthar Loughs) in the longest coum with the highest lake in the area, two spectacular glacial features - beautiful and remote with scenic views.including of the lakes
Maps and other information
External Links
Facilities
Shop and Pubs in Rathgormack (5 kms)
Map Guides
Rathgormack Walks
OSI Maps
Discovery Series Sheet 75
Barry from Cork
Would concur with the other reviewers regarding the lack of trail markers at 7km mark. Following the suggested route gets the hard part of the walk over and done with by 5km mark (in reality between 4-5km mark was most difficult). Great views from the top and worth persisting with the climb at 4km mark. Parts of the route were quite boggy/wet so likely that hike will become less accessible as weather disimproves.
Anne from Kilkenny
Fab walk. Took less than 4 hours although I wasn't going at a particularly fast pace. I'd nearly class some of the walk as hard but mostly was easy enough. I do recommend doing the trail in the order it's posted or you'd have a bit of a nasty downhill scramble. The markings are a bit hard to find at the coum and change from the loop sign to yellow and white posts for a bit (had a temporary panic I was on the wrong route but it's the thing to follow). Look up and to the right when you get to the coum.
Trail is very wet in some places- it's been sunny and dry for a week before I did it but still very boggy so you'll definitely want waterproof footwear.
Really enjoyed it, definitely recommend for the more adventurous walkers out there!
Trail is very wet in some places- it's been sunny and dry for a week before I did it but still very boggy so you'll definitely want waterproof footwear.
Really enjoyed it, definitely recommend for the more adventurous walkers out there!
neil from Kildare
We did this loop on Feb 14th and really enjoyed. Luckily we were well equipped to deal with the very wet under foot conditions and its hard to imagine it ever being a dry walk. The waymark posts are generally very good but there are a few which have fallen over and in misty conditions could cause concern.however the trail is well trodden and obvious and gives excellent views once the height is gained. For the effort this walk gives a big reward with towering peaks which when we did it were covered in snow which gave a distinct alpine feel. We did this walk possibly the wrong way round, heading for the Boolas Loughs first then turning sharp right to "The Gap" but in my opinion it turned out better as it got all the climbing out of the way and gave a more gentle descent which in the wet and slippy conditions seemed safer. The Comeraghs have a lot to offer and looking forward to returning soon.
Bridget from Tipperary