Gougane Barra and a small nice little hike. ⛪️ 🌲🥾🥾

During a recent visit to Cork, I had the opportunity to explore the stunning Gougane Barra in West Cork and it definitely lived up to its reputation as a picturesque location with more to offer than just photo opportunities. Nestled on its own island, the charming church is just the beginning of the adventure that awaits.

^{St Finbarr’s Oratory, patron Saint of Cork, situated  on the small island} 

^{Hiking companions for the day with Berni, Olivia and Mark}

^{Looking up the lake from the oratory} 

Situated about an hour and a half drive from Cork, Gougane Barra is the perfect spot for a day outing. One of the highlights of the visit was the forest park, which boasts six walking trails catering to all levels of fitness. We opted for the Sli na Sléibhe trail, the longest and most challenging in the park. This demanding trail rewards hikers with stunning views and takes them through a beautiful forest onto the open mountainside. Despite being just under 2.5 km, it offered a fulfilling and memorable trek that took around 2 hours to complete. Fortunately, the weather held out, adding to the enjoyment of the day.

^{On the hike, some nice views can be seen of the surrounding woods and valleys.}

Overall, this could be the spot to go if you're in Cork City and want to get outside, get some exercise, and see a little bit of West Cork. For the adventurous hiker seeking a little bit more, there's also the added opportunity of venturing off trail and going deeper into the countryside.

Carpe Diem