Winter Storm Damage blog statement

Subsequent to the severe storms this past winter many woodland paths and tracks remain impassable. In some cases the damage is so severe that the areas are closed for any kind of extended walking. In the coming months I will revisit as many walks as possible and update the blog accordingly. Please do not assume that walks are available as described and obey any closure signage you encounter on the ground.

TYPE	Linear mainly coastal walk with option to use train to return to starting point.
DISTANCE	5 miles / 8 km
SURFACES	Mostly on on hard surfaced made paths. Short sections on rougher and steeper earth paths at Grey Point and Stricklands Glen
HEIGHT GAIN / LOSS	130 feet climb
HAZARDS	Several road crossing with moderate traffic In severe weather the path is exposed, particularly on the beach sections at spring tide..

This is the final section of the Columban Way from Carlow to Bangor and in some ways, it is the easiest. At only 5 miles long and with the sea on the left to guide you and a broad asphalt path to follow, a description almost seems redundant. However, it is also one of the most beautiful sections of the walk and it deserves to be taken slowly and enjoyed with full attention. The route described below also augments the council’s waymarked route to add extra interest and to reach back into the historical landscape to find current features which would have been largely familiar to Columbanus and the monks of Bangor.

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Winter Storm Damage blog statement

Subsequent to the severe storms this past winter many woodland paths and tracks remain impassable. In some cases the damage is so severe that the areas are closed for any kind of extended walking. In the coming months I will revisit as many walks as possible and update the blog accordingly. Please do not assume that walks are available as described and obey any closure signage you encounter on the ground.

TYPE	First section of a long-distance challenge walk which can be a walk in its own right with a bus option to return to start.
DISTANCE	5 miles / 8 km
SURFACES	Mainly pavement and road walking, good compacted paths through the Country Park Section.
HEIGHT GAIN / LOSS	400 feet climb
HAZARDS	Some walking on low traffic roads without pavements. Route passes close to abandoned quarries.

Continue reading →

Winter Storm Damage blog statement

Subsequent to the severe storms this past winter many woodland paths and tracks remain impassable. In some cases the damage is so severe that the areas are closed for any kind of extended walking. In the coming months I will revisit as many walks as possible and update the blog accordingly. Please do not assume that walks are available as described and obey any closure signage you encounter on the ground.

TYPE	Mixed but largely off-road linear walk with some climb as short steep sections
DISTANCE	7.6 miles / 12.2 km
SURFACES	Roads, pavements, unmade, sometimes muddy paths and well-made tracks
HEIGHT GAIN / LOSS	500 feet climb
HAZARDS	Some urban road walking and crossings Mountain bikes and scramblers may be present around Whitespots Three crossings over fast roads.

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