Day two of our walk of the Ballyhoura Way started with our visiting the Slí Eile Saturday Market for breakfast. We parked a car at our destination (the Ballinaboola Trailhead), then drove back to Burton Park in Churchtown where we parked the other car.
A big thank you to all at Burton House and Slí Eile for allowing us to park our car there for the few hours!!
Breakfast
We had seen a stall that sold sausage and bacon baps the previous time we were at the market, and knew there was good coffee to be got too, so we were looking forward to the breakast.
We opted for the €4 sausage and bacon baps from the Chill and Grill stall and cappuccinos from Simple Pleasures Coffee and Preserves.
There’s a sizeable sheltered outdoor seating area in the market courtyard and we sat down to a table and surveyed the market holders setting up while we ate. It was chilly enough so we ate quickly, and I never thought of taking a photo of the breakfast, but it was a good start to the day. Good enough that we would go back if we’re there again.
On our Way
The market was fully set up and in full swing when we finally hit the road to begin our walk into the Ballyhoura mountains. There was a fairly dangerous stretch for a couple of kilometres where cars were speeding along, before we turned off into quieter country lanes.
Churchtown Trails
I took a photo of the way-marker below so that I’d remember to look up Churchtown Trails when I got home. You can find a PDF of the various looped walks here.
Eventually we veered off the country roads and onto forestry tracks into the Ballyhoura mountains.
High Points
We left the track to pick up a trig point and made our way through fairly overgrown ground to get to it. It’s always a thrill to find a trig point though and log it on Peakhunter, especially when it’s not a very well known one.
We had stopped for lunch along the way earlier, but there was still time to take a coffee break at the trig point before walking the few kilometres back to the car parked at the Ballinaboola trailhead.
