Kilbrannish Trail
Distance: 14.0 kilometres
Ascent: 390 metres
Walking Time: 4 hours
Start: Car park at Kilbrannish North Forest Recreation Area. Parking here for approximately 12 cars and picnic benches. The Kilbrannish Trail links both the Kilbrannish North set of trails and the Kilbrannish South set of trails to make one complete circuit. You will encounter different colour waymark arrows on both sides for the various shorter loop walks but note that you will be following the Orange markers throughout.
Follow the path straight up from the car park to reach the forest road above. Turn right and follow a well surfaced forest road as it climbs gently uphill towards a small windfarm. The wind turbines here were developed by the Deacon family in 2005 and were the first in the region. Reach the top of the rise, where a new taller turbine and sub station has been developed on the right. Passing this, keep right at the fork of forest roads and start climbing uphill gently again. You walk on a good road through commercial plantations of Sitka Spruce and Lodgepole Pine, both fast growing coniferous trees with applications in the construction business and manufacture of wood products. The road descends gently to reach a stretch of power line which serve the older wind turbines up on your right. There is a good view from here to John’s Hill. Pass under the power line and follow the forest road more steeply downhill. Reach a junction and swing around to the right. You will soon start descending on a forest road that zigzags down to reach the Scratoes Bridge carpark.
From the Scratoes Bridge carpark, exit onto the public road. Turn right and follow it uphill for about 10 minutes, take care particularly if you have children as this road can be busy. Shortly after crossing Scratoe’s Bridge, turn left down a narrower cul de sac road. Follow this tar road downhill to cross a small bridge, continuing on past several houses to enter Kilbrannish South forest. Follow the forest road gently uphill and after about 10 minutes, watch out for the Cup & Saucer Stone on your left. This large square shaped granite boulder lies on a flat pancaked shape rock, the saucer. Nearby the walls and ruins of an old farmstead are scattered in the forest, the people who lived here were called Codds of the Rock, some emigrated to the USA and the last of them lived here until the 1930s. Continuing on, you will soon reach a junction beside the ruin of a small cottage. This was the Gamekeepers Cottage and was in use when these slopes were managed for shooting by the Hall Dare family who lived at Newtownbarry House in Bunclody.
From the Gamekeepers Cottage, continue straight on keeping the ruin on your right. The forest road steepens and gets a little rougher as you round a sharp bend. Continue on uphill on the forest road, ignoring any turns to the right, to arrive out at the public road that leads to the Nine Stones. Turn right now and follow the road with care as it descends gently towards Corrabut Gap. The deep bowl of Coolasnaghtna lies down to your left, this is from the Irish Cúl a’ Sneachta meaning the corner of the snows and referring here to a northerly aspect that holds snow long after it has melted elsewhere. Reach Carroll’s Crossroad and turn right, reaching the car park at Kilbrannish North Forest Recreation Area after a few minutes.
Classification of Trail
| Easy | Generally flat trails with a smooth surface and some gentle slopes or shallow steps. These trails are generally suitable for family groups including children and the elderly. Normal outdoor footwear can be worn. |
| Moderate | These trails may have some climbs and may have an uneven surface where the going is rough underfoot with some obstacles such as protruding roots, rocks, etc. The routes are appropriate for people with a moderate level of fitness and some walking experience. Specific outdoor walking footwear and clothing is recommended. |
| Strenuous | These are physically demanding trails, which will typically have some sections with steep climbs for long periods and the going underfoot can be extremely rough including many obstacles. Suitable for users accustomed to walking on rough ground and with a high level of fitness. Specific outdoor walking footwear and clothing required. |
| Very Difficult | These routes are predominantly in remote upland areas. They will typically include steep slopes and very variable and rough underfoot conditions on sometimes indistinct trails. They may be unmarked so the use of a map and navigational skills will be required. Suitable only for the very fit and competent mountain walkers with a high level of experience. Specific outdoor walking footwear and clothing required. |