Stage 2
Black Valley to Glencar
STAGE 2
Black Valley to Glencar
Stage 2 of the Kerry Way allows you to experience the isolated beauty of Kerry and walk its ancient hidden valleys. Towering above you, Irelands highest mountain range, the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks rises to 1,039m.
Follow in the footsteps of the Fianna (warriors of Irish mythology) through Derrynafeana valley which means ‘Oak Wood of the Fianna’. These ancient paths and mountain passes have probably been in use for over 5,000 years and allow you to walk through history passing one of the oldest field systems in the world at over 4,000 years old!, the Curraghmore Standing Stones, Bridia Pass and the Lack Road .
Length: 20km
Hours: 6-8 hours
Grade/Difficulty: Moderate to demanding (weather dependent)
Ascent: 683m
OSI msp: 78
Grid Ref (Start): V 86502 82887
Grid Ref (Finish): V 72435 84078
Terrain: Mix of paths, rough track (mountain) and roadway.
See Transport page for sustainable travel options >>
The route in detail
Black Valley to Bridia Valley
The Kerry Way heads west on the tarred road from the Black Valley Church in Doire Chearnaigh/Derrycarna, passing the turn off to the right leading uphill to the Gap of Dunloe and Kate Kearney’s Cottage, and continues for 2.5km to Cloichear Núis/Cloghernoosh.
Just to the north lies the Last Viking Invader – buried with a hoard of gold, just to the south lies Cummeenduff Lough which feeds the Gearhameen River. The trail then follows an unsurfaced road to reach a forestry plantation on the slopes of Brassel Mountain (575m) before fizzling out to become a green grassy track before once again joining a tarred road at Drom Loiscthe/Dromluska.
From here, The Kerry Way turns north and then west to go around Broaghnabinnia (745m), through An Cheapaigh Rua/Capparoe and passes the
last house and farmyard in the Black Valley at An Currach Mór / Curraghmore. The trail then climbs through rocky ground to reach the saddle of the Bridia Path (300m) – the mountain pass linking the Black Valley in the east with the Bridia Valley in the west.
From here the Kerry Way descends west over steep rocky ground through Na Braighde/Bridia before crossing a number of green fields and grassy paths at Ceapaigh an Chláraigh/Cappanthlarig and reaching a tarred road at Moing an Ghearrtha/Muingagarha. Continue west along the tarred road for approximately 1.25km to Macha an Leamháin/Maghanlawaun where the Kerry Way turns right to climb the Lack Road.
Bridia Valley to Lough Acoose
The Lack Road zig-zags its way, through Macha an Leamháin / Maghanlawaun and Cloch Fionn / Cloghfune, to the saddle (380m) of this mountain pass which was once used to take cattle from the Bridia Valley to fairs in Killorglin town. On approaching the saddle the view to the north stretches out before you – the Kerry Way path can be seen heading towards Lough Acoose on the valley floor below while the Dingle Peninsula forms a very distant backdrop.
From the saddle the Kerry Way descends north over steep ground to the valley floor below and then accompanies the Gearhanagour Stream to pass through a
farm yard and continue for a short distance on an unsurfaced road to reach a noticeably ‘long’ old ruin at Doire na Féinne/Derrynafeana.
You now reach a junction in the Kerry Way Walking Route at Doire na Féinne/Derrynafeana – both options meeting once more in Gort Má Luan Thiar/Gortmaloon West.
Turning left* at this location is the 3.7km route meandering through rocky outcrops and pleasant forest paths, while continuing straight ahead** is the longer 5.7km route on tarred road that circumnavigates Lough Acoose.
*Turning left follow the meandering path northwest through a mixture of rocky slopes and bogland for 1km, then turn left at An Cuas/Coss along an unsurfaced road for a short distance, before again turning left onto rocky ground so as to circumnavigate a farm dwelling and yard. This track continues over undulating ground to enter a forest plantation. The path quickly joins a pleasant winding forest road before emerging onto open sloping rocky ground at Gort Má Luan Thiar/Gortmaloon West. From here continue northwest through farmland to reach the Glencar to Killorglin road. Turn left and continue west for 1.3km to reach Glencar Post Office.
**Continuing straight ahead the Kerry Way follows the unsurfaced road which eventually blends into a tarred road and skirts the east shore of Lough Acoose at An Ladhar Bhuí/Lyreboy for 2.4km before reaching the Glencar to Killorglin road at Cuar na Méine/Coornameana. Turn left at this T junction and continue south west for 3.3km through Gort Má Luan Thiar/Gortmaloon West to reach Glencar Post Office.
