KNOCKOMAGHWOOD Knockomagh means crooked hill and there is certainly a crooked path to the top. When you get there you are rewarded with a view of Lough Hyne and an even better one of the West Cork coast. It is a stiff enough walk up and a walking stick won’t go astray. We went up the zig-zag path at the weekend. Total length is about 2 km but there is an opportunity to shorten the walk and avoid some of the steepest climbing by taking the northern loop. The Skibbereen heritage centre has a booklet on the trail and I would recommend that you get your hands on it before you go. There are Sessile Oaks, the ruins of a cottage, a bluebell glade(in season), the fallen beech(growing again) and other sights to see as you progress. There are also a couple of stops that give good views over Lough Hyne but to get the best view of all you have to get to the top. Well worth it. Young or old, you have to be careful here as there are some steep drops. If you are reasonably fit, have the right shoes, a walking stick and a bottle of water, you’ll have no problem at all. And the views are really worth it.
