Valentia Island's Spectacular Bray Head Tower Walk
One of my favourites!
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| The famous Skellig islands are to your left as you walk up towards the tower. |
Whenever I'm in South West Kerry, I invariably head for the Bray Head Tower Walk on Valentia Island. It is not very difficult and you have amazing views, especially of the Skelligs, as you climb, and of Portmagee and its bridge to the island as you come down.
Let us wind back to Portmagee. To start, drive from there over that bridge and then pass the Skellig Experience Centre on your left. Take the first turn left - Bray Head is on the signpost. Two minutes or so later, another crossroads, another sign and left again.
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| View from the carpark |
About a minute after that (5 minutes total from Portmagee) you will arrive at the car park on the left. Even here, you will get superb views. But better to pay the two euro fee, place the ticket on the dash and head for the hill!
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| This gate is the only "obstacle" on the path but a set of steps will help you on the way |
The path is wide. There are loose stones and sometimes there will be watery patches. But nothing too serious. Just be careful, bring a stick (more of a precaution than a necessity). It is really quite an easy walk.If you step it out and don't stop too often for photos (like some people!), you should reach the old tower in about 30 minutes. Have a look around there for as long as you wish and then head back. You'll find that the descent goes by quite quickly.
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| Early stages |
Great views of the ocean and nearby cliffs and of course the islands as you go and return. In season you will see quite a few boats below in the water, ferrying passengers out to the Skelligs, some to land, others to circle and return. The boats leave from Portmagee. Read a bit more about Portmagee here.
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| On your left as you walk up |
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| The Little Skellig |
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| The Tower |
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| Skellig Michael |
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| Islands in the sun |
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| On the way down you see the bridge (into Portmagee on the right). |
Also on this visit:
Killarney National Park
Kells Bay Gardens and lunch at Sala Thai
Dinner at The Mad Monk by Quinlans Fish
Lunch on the way down at The Mills Inn, Ballyvourney.
The Lake Hotel
