Stage 4
Glenbeigh to Cahersiveen
STAGE 4
Glenbeigh to Cahersiveen
This stage of the Kerry Way enjoys views across Dingle Bay as the route hugs the coastline and rises above Mountain Stage, a scenic point along the Wild Atlantic Way. Much of the route follows an old coach road built in the 1790s and what is believed to have been an ancient mythological route from Valentia Island to Killarney.
The route goes along the northern slopes of Drung Hill, fabled in history and mythology. Other points of interest include Wynn’s Folly/Glenbeigh Towers, various archaeological sites, and views of Gleensk railway viaduct.
Length: 30.6km
Hours: 8-10 hours
Grade/Difficulty: Moderate to demanding (weather dependent)
Ascent: 750m
OSI msp: 78/83
Grid Ref (Start): V 67016 91102
Grid Ref (Finish): V 47366 79503
Terrain: Mix of paths, rough track (mountain) and roadway.
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The route in detail
Glenbeigh to Drom West
From Glenbeigh Village the Kerry Way Walking Route heads south west along the N70 Ring of Kerry road for approximately 350m before veering right onto the R564 road toRossbeigh Beach. Turn right after crossing the Behy Bridge and continue through Faiche / Faha for 380m to reach a picnic/green area on the left. From here the trail climbs up into Faha Wood but quickly levels off to reveal a pleasant leafy path through the forestry.
You now reach a junction in the Kerry Way Walking Route at Faiche / Faha – both options being approximately equidistant and meeting again after 3.6km. The route to the left* continues through Faha Wood for 1.5km then joins a tarred road. The route to the right** traverses the northern slope of Curra Mountain for 2.3km to Rossbeigh Beachthen joins a tarred road.
*Turning left, the trail remains within Faha Wood for 1.5km – the occasional break in the trees giving views over the lower Behy River, Castlemaine Harbour and Glenbeigh Village. On reaching the narrow tarred road turn right and continue to the next cross roads at An Drom Thiar / Drom West.
**Turning right, the trail quickly leaves Faha Wood and travels the foot of the northern slope of Curra Mountain for 2.3km towards Rossbeigh Beach, giving most pleasant views over Castlemaine Harbour and Dingle Bay. On reaching the narrow tarred road at Ros Beithe / Rossbehy, turn your back on the Blue Flag Beach at Rossbeigh and climb the mountain road, known locally as The Bealach – quickly gaining both elevation and pulse rate. Having reached the high point of the road continue downhill to the next cross roads at An Drom Thiar / Drom West.
Drom West to Foilmore
At the cross roads in An Drom Thiar / Drom West continue 1.1km west along this narrow straight road, then turn left at the next cross roads at Cúil na hEargaile Uachtarach / Coolnaharragill Upper to reach the overbridge at Mountain Stage which crosses the N70 Ring of Kerry Glenbeigh to Cahersiveen road. Standing on this bridge, facing east, you are looking down at the site of the former Mountain Stage Railway Station – all that remains now is the Station House on your right. Turn right after crossing the bridge and continue for 850m before veering left and uphill along an unsurfaced track, the Old Coach Road, at Cill Choimhtheach / Kilkeehagh. This track continues for 2.75km to reach a saddle at Glinsce / Gleensk.
En route you can enjoy the panoramic view from Castlemaine Harbour in the east, then sweeping west over Cromane, Inch and Rossbeigh. Dingle Bay opens out below you. The Dingle Peninsula provides a fitting backdrop with the Red Cliffs, Minard Castle and Dingle & Ventry Harbours tucked in along its coast. At the very tip of the peninsula is Slea Head. Beyond this, out in the wild Atlantic, lie the Blasket Islands and America! To the south, and peering down on you is the imposing pyramidal Drung Hill – the summit of which was once connected with the Pre-Christian Lughanasa festival. Four routes traverse the northern slope of Drung Hill – each representing a different era in the passage of time.
The highest, and oldest, is said to be an Early Christian Road, also used as an ‘Old Butter Road’. The next to be constructed, at a lower level and on which you now walk, was another ‘Old Butter Road’ – upgraded in the late 1700’s to become the ‘Old Coach Road’. The next route to be constructed, at a lower level again, was theGreat Southern & Western Railway Company (GS&WR) Farranfore to Valentia Harbour Rail Line. Much of the railway line, together with three railway tunnels, are still visible beneath you. The last road to be constructed, at the lowest level, was the present day N70 Ring of Kerry road.
On reaching the saddle at Glinsce / Gleensk the vista south west towards Cahersiveen, Valentia Island and the Atlantic Ocean opens up before you. Continue on the Old Coach Road for 4.5km through the forestry at Com Seanaigh / Coomshanna, then through open mountain terrain at Cnocán Uí Fhoghlú / Knockaneyouloo to reach a tarred road at Cathair na mBan / Cahernaman. Continue south west on this tarred road for 200m, then veer right onto an old grassy track to reach a tarred road at Buaile Fhear Datha / Boulerdah. Continue south west by tarred road, through Gort na Graí / Gortnagree, An Lios Bán / Lisbane and Baile na hAbhann Mór / Ballynahow More for 2.8km to reach a left-hand turn onto a grassy track, just south east of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Church, Foilmore.
Foilmore to Cahersiveen
This track takes you south via two footbridges, firstly over a tributary to, and thereafter over the River Ferta, through An Fhaill Mhór / Foilmore, before turning right on reaching another tarred road at An Gort Mór / Gortmore. Continue along this road for approximately 330m and on passing the Foilmore GAA Grounds turn left onto a narrow road and after a further 370m turn right onto a grassy track. The trail continues through Tír Átha / Teeraha before turning left on reaching a tarred road and then rising gradually to gives pleasant views north towards Foilmore Church, from whence you have come, and west towards Cahersiveen with Valentia Island in the background.
You now reach a junction in the Kerry Way Walking Route at Tír Átha / Teeraha. Turning left onto an uphill grassy track will take you through Mastergeehy and on towardsWaterville (refer to Stage 5 Cahersiveen to Waterville route description), while continuing straight ahead on the road takes you, via a spur route, to Cahersiveen Town.
To travel to Cahersiveen Town continue straight along this road and then turn right through farm land. The trail continues through An Com Dubh / Coomduff before turning left on reaching a narrow tarred road. On reaching the next road junction, cross the tarred road and continue south along an unsurfaced road, which eventually fades to a grassy track, straddling the boundary between Na Beathacha / Bahaghs and Srúbh Gréine / Srugreana. Then follow a meandering stream west to reach and turn left onto a narrow tarred road. Travel along this quite country lane for approximately 420m and then turn right through farm land at An Cheapaigh / Cappagh to cross the Carhan Rivervia footbridge.
The trail continues alongside the river bank before turning right on joining an unsurfaced road at Tor na Muice / Turnamucka. The trail graduates to a tarred road in Inse Mhac Thaidhg / Inchimacteige and continues through Inse Chloch / Inchiclogh to turn left at the next T junction. Continue on this road for 420m and turn right on reaching a forestry plantation. Continue through farm land, then cross a tarred road at Cárthann Uachtarach / Carhan Upper and take the narrow tarred road leading gradually uphill towards Bentee (376m). At the end of this road the trail goes through a farm yard and farm land, then crosses another narrow tarred road and continues north along a narrow grassy road through Garrán an Chnoic / Hillgrove, then through a wooded area in Cárthann Íochtarach / Carhan Lower before joining a tarred road which takes you to your destination – Cahersiveen Town.
