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Muckross Lake loop.

A walk in the park.
On Sunday 18/02/18 the club walk was the Muckross Lake Loop of 12 Klms. approx.
We left town at 09.00 in convoy for Killarney, picking up some people in Rathmore and then proceeded to the car park at Muckross House.
There was a good turnout, a mixture of young and old plus two dogs. There was a slight mist but no cold it was excellent weather for walking. The car park was full, evidence of the popularity of this beauty spot.
We donned our rain gear and set off dogs on leads and sat nav in hand to navigate our way around the loop. On tarred paths we made our way to Muckross Lake. Keeping the lake to our right, and the magestic Torc mountain to our left, we set off. Across the water the Killarney Church spire could be seen.
The path runs out, where the N 71 squeezes up to the lake shore. At this point we had to take to the road. After some time there is a path to the right which swings back to the shore. Continuing along this we come to the 200 year old Dinis cottage, which houses a tea rooms and toilets ect. however to our dismay it was shut. There was a tradition that newly engage couples etched their names on the windows with their new diamond, for luck......There was no etching done today.
Onwards we went to the meeting of the waters, where the Upper lake joins Lough Leane and Muckross Lake.

We stopped at Brickeen bridge to view a lone fisherman in his boat, gliding across the tranquil waters of the lake. We crossed the bridge to the Muckross Peninsula and entered Reenadinna wood, habitat of the native Irish red squirrel, however they were not to be seen today.. We continued along forest paths, and with the aid of modern technology we finally arrived at the car park... Here we changed and it was decided to visit Muckross House cafe for refreshments...All in all a good day out.

A vigorous five mile walk will do more good for an unhappy but otherwise healthy adult
than all the medicine and psychology in the world.
                                                                                   .......Paul Dudley White

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