The Cashel Walk
COMMENT: If you stand outside the Hotel front door, you see alone hi hiding behind the lamppost. That is Cashel Hill. This is a simple out aI should say up and down) hill climb to a summit ofjust 311m (1010 feet).l sea level, and it is quite steep nearer the top, so be prepared for a bit more ( you might otherwise expect. Though it is not overly demanding, this i experienced hill walkers. You should have boots and a walking stick, and hill walking gear. Because this is a stand-alone hill rising quickly fr countryside to a small top, the views from the summit are simply amazing.
START AND FINISH:
At a roadside car park (Map Ref: 804423). Church in Cashel, some 14km (8'l:zMls) from Roundstone.
DRIVE TO START:
From Roundstone, drive North on the R341, turniJ T -junction for Cashel. Swing left onto Toombeola Bridge, and just after Bar, turn right, signed Cashel/Carna. Continue on this scenic R342 road b, Bay and then Cashel Bay, passing the Cashel sign and then Boulger's Office. Watch for the church on the left, and park opposite the church.
WALK: Walk up the side road (A) just to the left of the Church grounds first but eases after a few minutes -leaving any gates as you found then road for say 15 minutes, all the way to the cemetery (B) at the top. Now stony path just to the left of the cemetery, and go through a gate that leads hill ground, closing it securely. Beyond the gate, walk left up onto the 1 and then ascend this ridge Westward. Closer to the main hill, your obje( right, into a broad gully (C) at the South side of the hill. (Notice that (East) side of the hill face has many rocky escarpments, and these are Now there is nothing for it except to ascend the steep fmal section towar There are good grassy spaces as you slog up, and just take it steadily a footing.
Don't forget to look back from time to time to watch the c unfolding. At the top, there are actually two summits, separated by a wet The real summit, with the concrete trig point (D), is the farther (NortheJ you ascend the few metres to that you are treated to one of the most spect: the Twelve Pins, and indeed over nearly all of this part of Connemar wonderful panorama.
If you have a good day, you will dawdle up here. When you ha return route is the same way you came up. Take it really carefully as yOI steep grassy gullies now, particularly if the ground is wet. Remember to ~ the rocky escarpments now to your left as you go down. Then bear left O lower ridge again -the cemetery is visible from higher up so you s A;i'f1f'111hl in hp"nina for it From the cemetery.
