St. Finbar’s Way Pilgrim Walk, Day 6 – Kealkil to Gougane Barra, Drimoleague, West Cork, Ireland

  • Author: ActiveME
  • Created: January 16, 2015 3:03 pm
  • Updated: December 12, 2017 10:58 am
Location: Cork
  • Distance Instructions
Label
  • Distance 22 km
  • Time 0 s
  • Speed 0.0 km/h
  • Min altitude 20 m
  • Peak 539 m
  • Climb 708 m
  • Descent 578 m
As part of the Top of the Rock Walking Tour (www.westcorkwalking.com), Day 6 will start with a short morning bus to Carriganass Castle in Kealkil. Here you will rejoin the St Finbarr’s Pilgrim Way. Your guide will once again give a commentary on the historical and contemplative aspects of this walk and if required he can accompany you to Gougane Barra at a reasonable cost. The descent into Gougane Barra is particularly stunning on a fine day. Carl O Brien of The Irish Times describes it as follows: “There is mountain on all sides rising hundreds of feet above a lake, forming a vast amphitheatre. Around the valley rim are gigantic boulders and purple rock. There is a magical, mystical beauty to it all. On the valley floor below, the chapel and cloister are evidence that this has been a special, peaceful place for hundreds of years. It’s a stunning vista.” On reaching your destination there will be time for silence and reflection, followed by a warm welcome and evening meal and bed and breakfast in the lovely Gougane Barra Hotel.

As part of the Top of the Rock Walking Tour (www.westcorkwalking.com), Day 6 will start with a short morning bus to Carriganass Castle in Kealkil. Here you will rejoin the St Finbarr’s Pilgrim Way. Your guide will once again give a commentary on the historical and contemplative aspects of this walk and if required he can accompany you to Gougane Barra at a reasonable cost. The descent into Gougane Barra is particularly stunning on a fine day. Carl O Brien of The Irish Times describes it as follows: “There is mountain on all sides rising hundreds of feet above a lake, forming a vast amphitheatre. Around the valley rim are gigantic boulders and purple rock. There is a magical, mystical beauty to it all. On the valley floor below, the chapel and cloister are evidence that this has been a special, peaceful place for hundreds of years. It’s a stunning vista.” On reaching your destination there will be time for silence and reflection, followed by a warm welcome and evening meal and bed and breakfast in the lovely Gougane Barra Hotel.