Kanturk Hillwalkers and Mountain Climbers | Blog

On Sunday 24 February the club walk was on Torc Mountain in Killarney. We left town on a grey overcast day. As we traveled west the sky brightened. Reaching our destination we found the car park full. Some volunteers were engaged in clearing fallen timber, and battling with the ubiquitous rhododendrons.This invasive shrub is destroying the native habitat. Full marks to the volunteers who give of their time so that we can enjoy the national park. We had to park at the Torc Waterfall Park. Today we had two options. One was to go up the Cardiac Steps , or to start at the old Kenmare road car park. There were no takers for the second option. Suitably dressed we set off. Our path took us parallel to the N71,  we crossed it and continued  along a track until we came to a branch to the left. The steps start here. From here it's practically straight up the north face of Torc Mt. , through woodland and rhododendrons. Behind us views of Kilarney's lakes opening up. Up & up the

                                                                                                                                                                       On Sunday 10 February the club outing was to the Ballyhoura Mountains. The Ballyhouras run for approx six miles east to west on the border of Cork and Limerick. The sky was pregnant with rain to the west, but to the east they looked clear. Arriving at the trailhead on the road to Ardpatrick, we parked up and put on our walking gear. There are good facilities here with a shop and toilets etc.  Mountain bikes can be hired out here from Trailriders.ie.  The largest network of mountain bike trails in Ireland are here. However the longest downhill run is nearer to home on Mount Hillary. The morning was cold but dry so far. We set off at a lively gait, on a track heading south east,over looking the rich pastures of Ballyorgan. Across the valley the Victorian Castle Oliver could be seen. With it’s 21 rooms and 12 bathrooms,