Get Lost Mountaineering

Coomcallee from S

Start/Finish

About 200 m before the end of the minor road up Glenmore. From Waterville, on the Ring of Kerry, drive south to cross the outflow of Lough Currrane then take the left turn signposted for Lough Currane. The minor road passes the Waterville Hotel then continues for about 8 miles to its end. It is a narrow road in various states of repair so expect a slow drive. Two places of note in the upper glen are a museum (formerly a school) and an access point for the Kerry Way. Almost at the end of the public road is a modern house which is yellow on the ground floor and white above. Beyond here is the last farm and it is difficult to turn around so don't go beyond the house. Parking is not encouraged at the house so drive back about 100 m where one can park on the verge (just past a gravel track on the right), keeping the road clear for farm vehicles. Parking is limited so try to arrive early otherwise parking may have to be lower down the glen adding to the walk length.

Distance/Time

14 km      About 5 hours

Peaks

Coomcallee, 675 m, V 593 682.

Coomcallee E Top, 650 m, V 624 677. Irish OS Discovery Series Map 83 (1:50000)

Introduction

This is an easy walk even in bad weather. In fine weather, there should be excellent views of the surrounding hills and coast. There is some doubt, both on the map and in the guide book about which top is Coomcallee. The OS map has it as the East Top. The guide books do not give much in the way of detail, especially the recognition of the summits so tread warily or go up on a good day! The main top and E top summits were checked with GPS and match the map but Irish OS maps are not brilliantly accurate so don't expect your GPS summit reading to be in perfect agreement with the map. The ground on the crest is mainly grassy and mossy. The approach from the N is recommended in fine weather and is covered in a separate walk.

Route

(1) Walk to the end of the road. Go through the gate into the farm yard then go left through a gate to join the uphill track. Follow this for over 2 km until it ends about 50 m from the crest and about 200 m E of the col. Note well where the top of the track is as it is not obvious on the descent. Walk to the wire fence on the crest and follow it uphill, E, for about 1 km on to the broad top, 642 m. Continue SE, still following the fence, with virtually no descent, until it climbs to a flattish area of peat hags. Just after the fence passes closely to the right of a peat hag, an old fence goes off to the right. About 20 m along this fence is a small cairn around a fence post which seems to be the summit of Coomcallee E Top, 650 m. A small lochan, not on the map, lies just to the E.

(2) Retrace to the col near the top of the track. Follow the same wire fence, mainly W, uphill to reach a flattish area of peat and gravel. The fence turns right at the point where it meets an old fence (which goes off at about 10 o'clock). Follow the same wire fence across a flat area before it turns left, W, with a slight descent before a similar ascent leads to the trig point which seems to mark the summit of Coomcallee, 675 m. The summit is the wrong side of the fence but there is a stile. There is also a stile further back at the start of the final ascent.

(3) Retrace to the col. If the track is not obvious then continue E, uphill, for about 400 m, well past a line of old fence posts going off to the right, then walk right, at right angles to the fence, heading S down gentle slopes. The track will soon be intercepted and can be followed back to the road.

Notes

(a) This walk took place on 15^th April, 2013.

(b) The Fossa camp and caravan site, at V 910 923 is very good and very well situated for the Killarney mountains, especially Macgillycuddy's Reeks and Purple Mountain as it is only about 3 miles from Kate Kearney's Cottage. At Fossa, there are camping and caravanning facilities as well as a hostel and static trailer vans can also be hired. For campers, there are excellent showers (small extra charge) and there is a good campers’ kitchen with tables, sinks and cooking area if you have your own cooker and pans. Gas rings are available (small extra charge). There is also a TV room. Reception is open quite late in the high season and the staff are very helpful. A computer is available for hire and there is a freezer in reception. There is a bus stop outside the site for Killarney. There is a 24 hour Tesco which is off the northern bypass (turn right at 4^th roundabout then right at next). Out of high season, it can be better for 2 people to rent a trailer van than to camp separately.