The Top 4 for a fantastic Summer in Glengarriff 2022
Who else has the itch to travel?!
The next chance I get, I’m going to take a week off and explore even more of the Beara Peninsula … even though I live here, I still haven’t seen it all.
What location is on your travelling bucket list?
If it is the Beara Peninsula, it is your lucky day! Here are my top 4 things to do in Glengarriff this summer:
1 Enjoy coffee and food at one of the many great food trucks and vans in Glengarriff village
Whether it’s a coffee or hot chocolate at Caha Coffee, a delicious bowl of porridge and some yummy toasties (and there’s more!), you won’t be disappointed here. Be sure to get some snacks here on the weekends!
2 A walk in Glengarriff and a picnic
Glengarriff is a lovely little town with neatly painted shopfronts, cafés, pubs and craft shops. Expect it to be overrun in summer with tourists, but it’s lovely and quiet in late spring and early autumn. The area around Glengarriff is filled with beautiful green gardens, islands and thick woods.
Glengarriff Woods Nature Reserve is a dog friendly must if you love nature as much as the doggies and I do!
Situated in the northwest of Glengarriff village, it was once the private estate of the Earl of Bantry. The ancient oak woodland is still there and wow - it’s beautiful!
There are big old trees, ferns, mosses, squirrels and otters and kingfishers along the river.
Walking trails take you from the main car park through the nature reserve and it’s such a great place to explore, let everything in your mind go where it belongs, take a deep breath and reconnect with nature. The Nature Reserve features a range of walking trails (currently five) and picnic areas.
3 A Hike at Barley Lake
> Hiking enthusiasts: Go left at a fork and follow the signs to Barley Lake to start on of our best hill walking adventures in West Cork. Barley Lake is 300m above sea level and the views from up there - spectacular (I know, again!). The road to the small car park already feels like an adventure and I’m not lying when I tell you it’s been one of the best days in my life exploring the area. It’s not an easy hike and navigation can be hard in this kind of terrain, the lakes itself are a good guide though. Be sure to pack boots, rain gear, map, compass and food + water.
4 Visit Garnish Island
Garnish or Garinish Island, which is also known as Ilnacullin, is a small island located in Glengarriff’s harbour. It was turned into an exotic garden in 1910 and is a must if you love flowers and plants. Especially May and June are spectacular with beautiful displays of rhododendrons, azaleas and camellias. There’s also a Italianate garden on the island with a lovely ornamental lily pool. Take a boat from Glengarriff Harbour or Glengarriff town (Blue Pool Ferry) to see the island and be sure to have your camera ready if one of the many seals in Bantry Bay decides to say hi (you’ll spot several of them on the rocks as well). There’s also Glengarriff Bamboo Park - another exotic garden but this time featuring bamboo and palms.
Have a great time in Glengarriff, I’m sure you’re going to love it!
Etta x