Glencolmcille - Tower Loop
Grade
Moderate
Length
7.6 km
Time
3 hours
Format
Loop
Ascent
330 m
Dogs Allowed
No
Waymarking
Blue arrow
Start Point
Glencolmcille Fire Station
Finish Point
Glencolmcille Fire Station
Nearest Town to Start
Glencolmcille
Grid Ref.
G 529 847
Lat. and Long.
54.708364, -8.731149
Maps and other information
External Links
Facilities
Restaurants, cafés, accommodation, shops, pubs
OSI Maps
Discovery Series Sheet 10
Public Transportation
Bus
Colin from United Kingdom
Hot day, exactly 3 hours plus half hour for lunch and very worthwhile especially for the views from the tower. We parked at the sportsground but the church would be better as directly on route. Slight wind so kept the horseflies at bay but on still days probably best to cover up. A great walk.
Colin from United Kingdom
Combined this with the Drum Loop and parked at the Folk Village. The Signal Tower is well worth the visit (no access to interior). The cliff top views are spectacular especially towards Sturrall. The bulk of the walk is on good tracks and quiet lanes but the link path to the Signal Tower has a couple of peaty areas to cross. Look out for the ancient carved crosses in and around the village. The two Megalithic tombs at grid reference G536855 are accessible from the lane via a couple of small gates but can be easily missed.
John from Wicklow
9 June 2016 - a very leisurely time taken 5h 15m
Recorded distance 12.3km with 530m of ascent/descent
This is a very fine walk, in June the lowland roadside was in full wildlflowers, buttercups in profusion, yellow flag, fuchsia. The walk divided into two types of terrain, fairly bare mountain upland in the middle with more fertile lowlands to start and finish. The diversion to the Napoleonic signal tower is well worth taking, it's a well preserved tower of which there are several on the area's headlands, its location is dramatic set back a short distance from the edge of spectacular cliffs.
Quibbles:
1. Loop Walk trailheads usually come with somewhere obvious to park but there is plenty of space to park in the village.
2. We found it difficult to get started as we didn't find waymarks and had to ask a local. Once we got started the markers were perfect.
Recorded distance 12.3km with 530m of ascent/descent
This is a very fine walk, in June the lowland roadside was in full wildlflowers, buttercups in profusion, yellow flag, fuchsia. The walk divided into two types of terrain, fairly bare mountain upland in the middle with more fertile lowlands to start and finish. The diversion to the Napoleonic signal tower is well worth taking, it's a well preserved tower of which there are several on the area's headlands, its location is dramatic set back a short distance from the edge of spectacular cliffs.
Quibbles:
1. Loop Walk trailheads usually come with somewhere obvious to park but there is plenty of space to park in the village.
2. We found it difficult to get started as we didn't find waymarks and had to ask a local. Once we got started the markers were perfect.
Richard from Dublin
Walked this route with my 70 year old father on 25/08/2014 in fine weather. We decided to walk in the opposite direction to the waymarkers to save the coastal views for last. Ideally bring OS map 10 and a compass with you to ensure you don't miss a turn.
The day began and finished at a cafe/restaurant in the town called An Cistin which is highly recommended. The route involves a fair amount of height gain as you head north reaching 260m but its well worth the effort as the views west are fantastic.
There is an option to extend the route to the signal tower which would add approximately 20 additional minutes to the walk. My father was tired at this point so we decided to descend back towards the town.
It took a total of 2.5 hours to complete and would have been 3 if we had gone to the tower and back. It would be possible to extend the route further by adding in the Drum Loop as well.
A fabulous walk which I would recommend for everyone from teenagers to retired folk.
Keep an eye out for some rare flora along the way. I spotted harebell for the first time!!!
The day began and finished at a cafe/restaurant in the town called An Cistin which is highly recommended. The route involves a fair amount of height gain as you head north reaching 260m but its well worth the effort as the views west are fantastic.
There is an option to extend the route to the signal tower which would add approximately 20 additional minutes to the walk. My father was tired at this point so we decided to descend back towards the town.
It took a total of 2.5 hours to complete and would have been 3 if we had gone to the tower and back. It would be possible to extend the route further by adding in the Drum Loop as well.
A fabulous walk which I would recommend for everyone from teenagers to retired folk.
Keep an eye out for some rare flora along the way. I spotted harebell for the first time!!!
Aine from Offaly