Another of the Fastnet Trails starting from Schull with perhaps the best views of all.
November has been a great month for hiking with bright, clear days between the rain. Today the skies cleared in the afternoon so a walk just had to be taken!
The Colla Loop is a 9km walk on small roads except for the start and end where the route follows the path along the coast from the harbour and up through the burial ground and St Mary’s Old Church. Afterwards some height is gained and a way-marked detour can be made up Sailors Hill where a short track leads to a lookout point and memorial to lives lost at sea. Here there are stunning views over Long Island, Schull harbour and village, the islands of Roaringwater Bay and out to the iconic Fastnet Rock on the horizon.
As I walked the sun was getting low, casting long shadows across the hills and setting everything into sharp relief. The road through Caherlusky townland passes a picturesque old farm building and has distant views towards Goleen and down towards the end of the Mizen. The route then descends back down to the coast at Colla Pier before following the road back to the village. In the summer months there is a small café next to the pier for refreshments with a view.
About the route
An easy route with extensive views and one or two easy climbs, mostly on small roads.
The route description on Fastnet Trails website (PDF)
The route in Google Maps
Distance: 9km (5.6 miles)
Max elevation: 96.5m
Time: About 2 hrs.
Comments
It’s a lively walk all right. That sketch if St Mary’s is fab.
Lovely!
Lively too!
And I need to check out the old farmhouse. This sounds a very varied and picturesque walk.
We have certainly had some good weather through the autumn, with only a few rainy days. As you say, great for walking. Familiar territory for us. Great sketches – as always!