Camping under the stars, Cape Clear
Allison writes:
Here was our wee bike trip over
the weekend!
One of our favourite getaways
in West Cork is Cape clear, and this is the best time to visit - and you can't
beat multi-mode travel - bus, bike, ferry and foot!
We loaded up our tent, sleeping
bags and provisions and started off Saturday afternoon bypassing the main
road by taking the bus Westwards to Skibereen. Once in Skib we unfolded
and loaded and cycled the 13km to Baltimore via the backroads along the estuary
to avoid traffic complete with road side lunch picnic enroute and popping in
for coffee at the lovely Glebe Gardens on our way through.
 |
| Allison waiting for the ferry |
We folded up the Bromptons
again and caught the 5pm ferry which got us in to Cape Clear 40 min
later.
 |
| Locked and loaded on the ferry |
Loading up the bikes we cycled over the hills and to our campsite
for the weekend.
Sunday was spent exploring by foot - visiting the
Goat's Farm, walking the coast line and having an amazing sunset over the fog
from the lighthouse.
Check out these other camping options in Cork:
 |
| Cape Clear |
 |
| The famous Brompton in Union Hall |
Monday morning we packed up
camp and retraced our steps back to Skibereen (including more coffee at the the
Glebe) and then decided to cycle from Skibereen to Union Hall for late lunch.
The back roads from Skib to Union Hall are beautiful, heading south towards
Castletownend and then heading East at the old creamery cross country along
beautiful and very quiet roads, up a steady incline and then down a good razor
back with lots of breaks to arrive for a well deserved lunch!
We met up
with a friend from Clon there who was headed back so we opted for a lift home,
unloading panniers, folding up the two Brompton bikes into the boot and then home
by 4pm!
Allison says:
It was great weekend, very much
recommended. I feel like i've been away to some amazing Greek Island and
had a week's rambling and adventuring. West Cork is so full of these
treasures - any other recommendations?
Editors footnote:
There is a great list of events and festivals on this site with also the background and history of each of the Islands off of Cork's coast!
 |
Bere Island at dusk
http://westcorkislands.com/photo-gallery/
Great trip idea and itinery for Castletownbere and Bere Island!
- Arrive
in CTBere early morning
- Breakfast in Copper Kettle (full irish!!)
- Walk up Hungry Hill (5 min drive towards Adrigole) spectacular scenery, quite tough (3-4hours)
- Back for lunch in CTBere - McCarthys Pub
- Ferry to Bere Island from pontoon east near Golf Club, quite frequent
- Stay in the “lodge” Bere Island
- Sea safari or hike/cycle on the island
- Usually a band playing in O'Sullivans Pub at the weekends.
- 9.30am Park Run, check out here: www.corksports.ie/parkrun
- 10.15am tea/scones with all participants in the cafe
- Ferry back
|
