Exploring County Kerry, part ii

 

Cathy Kelly is a bestselling Irish author, with millions of books published around the world. Her trademark is warm and witty Irish storytelling about modern life and her love of the outdoors and of hiking, made her a natural presenter for this episode of Tracks and trails in Co. Kerry.

Presenter
Cathy Kelly

About
There is a reason Kerry is called The Kingdom, as Cathy takes to two majestic parts of the county to conquer beautiful trails.

Irish author Cathy Kelly’s second walk is a 12km hike from Torc Waterfall in Killarney, Co. Kerry through Killarney National Park as far as Lord Brandon’s Cottage and back to Ross Castle by boat. Many people will drive this route around the famous lakes of Killarney but this route on foot will bring the hiker and the viewer up close to experience Kerry in a way that is only possible by slowing down, putting on the hiking boots and breathing in the surroundings. Before Cathy even gets started on her hike, she comes to Torc Waterfall which stops people in their tracks with its beauty and power.

Having taken a moment to take it all in, she moves on to start her walk above the waterfall on the Old Kenmare Road. This pretty pathway cuts through the valley between the hills and mountains which make the Kerry skyline so famous. It is along here that Cathy walks for a while with Kerry native Louise Galvin, (Louise is an International rugby player at both 7s & 15s, International basketball player and Kerry Footballer). As a physiotherapist with an MSc in Sports & Exercise, Louise advocates hiking as a way for young women to get outside to socialise and exercise in a healthy way together. They part ways at the bottom of Torc Mountain, as valleys and mountain ranges come into view on either side. Cathy reaches the Cascade Falls and Mucky Glen before arriving at Derrycunninhy Church.

For the last walking section of this route, Cathy will hike along the Old Mass Path arriving at Lord Brandon’s Cottage. For the last part of the show, Cathy travels by boat through the lakes of Killarney enjoying the banter and stories of Donal “Dux ” O’ Donoghue. Before they reach the end of the lake, they stop off for a wander around the ruins of Inishfallen before finally arriving back at Ross Castle. There is a wonderful feeling to this show, the combination of Cathy’s gentle, warm nature and the magnificence of the scenery on these two contrasting trails, will leave you with a smile on your face.

We often use AllTrails to find trail guides and maps and you can follow the Torc Waterfall Trail trail here on the free AllTrails app.