Walking at Carrig – here are 3 great routes to get you started!
Every year in Carrig so many of guests ask about all the great walks they can enjoy, its top of the itinerary for many of our guests.
Taking a short or longer break in Carrig is all about relaxation, fine food and a warm welcome set in a historic country home. It is equally important to enjoy the outdoors when you are here, there is nothing more restorative than a walk and all it requires is a good pair of walking shoes or trainers. The scenery around Carrig is stunning, whatever the season, it takes on a new form, with different flora and fauna and colours all round.
One of the best tips we could give you is to take your time when out for a walk, take in all your surroundings and views, listen to the birds and wildlife, stop for photo’s along the way, make all the memories you can and return to Carrig feeling refreshed.
The Caragh Lake Trail
The Caragh Lake Trail provides stunning views above the lake and its small islands – Robert’s Island and Illaunbuddoga. The Caragh Lake Trail is 1.7km and great work out first thing in the morning. The Mountain Spur trail is 410m and once you have completed it you will enjoy stunning panoramic views of the MacGillycuddy Reeks, Glenbeigh, Inch Beach, Killorglin, the Dingle Peninsula, and the Wild Atlantic Way. Exploring the forest above Caragh Lake is a morning well spent, there are a myriad of forest walks to enjoy. You may even meet some of it’s resident deer who frequent the forest. It is well worth a visit and the views will just delight you. Start planning your route here www.coillte.ie/site/caragh-lake/
Lickeen
A short drive from Carrig, Lickeen is on the Iveragh Peninsula in the Glencar Valley. This area is within the Special Area of Conservation of the Caragh River Catchment. It is undoubtedly one of Ireland’s foremost salmon and trout fishing locations. The woodland area was once part of the Lansdowne Estate and is classified as old woodland.
There are three looped waymarked trails for you to enjoy in the wood. If you are ready to stretch your legs and enjoy a more strenuous walk over an hour, then choose Castle Rock Loop. This trail is 2km and will take you through the forest, climbing to 90m before you descend into a wonderful ravine and then continue to the forest roads of the trail.
If a moderate walk over an hour sounds more your style, choose the Lickeen Loop, which is 2.2km. You will take in the landmark Blackstones Bridge and will trail adjacent to Caragh Lake before you return to the wood.
If you enjoy a longer, more strenuous trail, then pack a picnic in your backpack and head for the Kerry LIFE Loop, which is a strenuous 90-minute walk over 3.1km. It is a wider loop and takes in the best bits of all the trails in Lickeen.
The Kerry Way
Stretching over 200km, the Kerry Way is an iconic trail and is Ireland’s longest sign-posted walking trail with a wealth of trails both coastal and inland. From Carrig you can join the Kerry Way from Treanmanagh and walk to Glencar or the Windy Gap.
The wonderful aspect of The Kerry Way is that you can enjoy and explore new trails each time you return to Carrig. Plus, during your stay at Carrig, you can enjoy some incredible local walks and maps unique for our guests. So, pack the walking shoes and we will take care of the rest here at Carrig.
For hillwalking ideas, click here >>
