ENJOY A breathtaking walk in Glanageenty Wood...

DESCRIBED as the ‘Sherwood Forest of Munster’, the Glanageenty walk is one of Kerry’s best kept secrets. This beautiful valley is located halfway between Tralee and Castleisland. The turn off to Glanageenty is accessed via the N21 road and drivers should be aware the road up to the carpark is very narrow so caution is advised.

Once you’ve reached the starting point walkers are given 3 routes of varying distances to suit all levels of fitness. The walk is a treasure trove of history with everything from the ruins of a 19th century family cottage, links with the Desmond Rebellion and civil war massacre at Ballyseedy, as well as 1916 when Robert Monteith evaded capture in a house in the valley.

The locality is a paradise for nature lovers with amazing wildlife and birdlife. A stroll through Glanageenty at this time of year is especially nice with battalions of foxgloves and cow parsley lining the walking routes. The walk consists of steep inclines but all routes have picnic benches and seats dotted throughout which are beautifully named in memory of local people. This area also inspired local running maestro John Lenihan, who in 1991 did all his training here before traveling to the Matterhorn in Switzerland to become the first Irishman to win the world title for mountain racing.

The walk is also intersected with lovely streams that add their own music to the walk and once you’ve reach the top there are extensive views of the Slieve Mish Mountains, Carrantuohill and the Sliabh Luachra to savour. Glanageenty is an area of mystery, myth and folklore with a wild landscape that will leave you wanting to return time after time. It’s a sanctuary for tourists and locals alike.