Training - Coumshingaun Lough/Tountinna/Millennium Cross

Coumshingaun Lough

So typically we would plan our hikes for a Sunday as it is typically the day where least parental duties are required. Last weekend the weather didn’t lend itself to go hiking on Sunday so we cancelled the group hike. However I decided, after seeing the forecast for Saturday morning was clear skies, to venture down to my favourite hike, Coumshingaun Lough in Co. Waterford.

I planned to start the hike at 7.20am so I could e up a bit to witness the sunrise. I had done Coumshingaun Lough 4 times previously and I have never had a clear day at the top. On the hike up it was looking like this day was going to be different but I was still setting my expectations low. Those that hike a lot know how quickly the clouds can come over a peak. So the start requires you to walk through a wooded area to get to the gravel road. You follow this quickly until you get to a stile to go over a fence. You then go through some rocky terrain until you get to an open field.

For Coumshingaun Lough preparation is key. It is easy to not know where to go in an open field especially as there are multiple sheep trails around that can confuse you. I do use AllTrails for which I signed up to in order to download trails offline. It’s always a good indicator to check to where you are.

Off I went through the field, towards the peak. I always find this part the toughest as it makes the legs burn straight from the off. it was especially tough Saturday morning as the ground was soft and slippy with the amount of rain that fell the previous days. On my way up I walked by a group of young lads who were sitting down, taking in the sunset. They hit me with the usual banter “You’re nearly there!!”. Far from it!!

From here on it is mainly scrambling you are doing. It is important to take care and not rush this part of the hike. People can easily get hurt here and also end up in precarious places along the hike. Your end up passing the place I like to call the “Instagram Spot”. It is a piece of rock jutting out over the lake that people stand on for a photo opportunity. If you have done Coumshingaun Lough and not taken a photo here then you are a rare breed. This scrambling continues until you essentially get to the top of the hike.

Here is where the ground is soft and peaty. My hiking boots got destroyed but this sections gives you some of the best views of the lake and the surrounding landscape. You continue on this somewhat level ground for a while until you get to the far side of the lake. I took a quick break to eat a sandwich and drink some water before I made the descent. Taking in the views and the quietness was unreal.

Off on the descent I took and again it is scrambling. a lot on the way down. A lot of times you are climbing down rocks. I did feel a bit of pain in my joints, especially the knees, going down. Again it is one of those thing where care and taking your time is needed. Once I got down I made my way to the lake to sit down and again take in the peacefulness around. Another short descent down through the field and wooded area and I was back in my car. If I didn’t love this place enough already, Saturday morning made me love it even more.

Tountinna/Millenium Cross

Saturday evening I decided to see if the legs could withstand another hike. I decided to do Tountinna loop and incorporate the out and back hike of Millennium Cross. This was a 10km hike in total but in fairness I wouldn’t consider them anywhere near a tough hike.

I parked in the usual carpark and hiked up the trail of Tountinna. I got to the top in about 15mins and then walked down along the road to follow the loop around. If yo are looking for more information about the Tountinna Loop check out this page on my website.

Once I got back to the car park I continued on towards Millennium Cross. I made it to the top in about 15/20 mins which I was quite happy with considering the amount of hiking I had already done that day. If you want more information on this hike visit here. Once I got to the top I sat down and took in the sunset before making my way down again.

An amazing day out down and it highlighted once again why I love hiking. We live in an amazing country with some amazing landscapes. While we may not always have the perfect weather conditions to explore it, you still get to see some amazing things when you are out and about. Everyday brings a new and different perspective.