Get Lost Mountaineering

Knockshanahullion & Knocknalougha from the Vee Gap

Start/Finish

The car park in the Vee Gap just before the statue and the two stone huts (one either side of the road). This is the car park after the one opposite Bay Lough. From Caher (Cahir) to the N, take the R668 road to Clogheen then take the turning for the Vee Gap. Follow this road up to the Vee, a hairpin bend, then after the road turns left, park in the second car park.

Distance/Time

9 km      About 4 hours

Peaks

Knocknalougha, 630 m, S 019 100. (Irish National Grid System)

Knockshanahullion, 652 m, R 999 104. Irish OS Discovery Series Map 74 (1:50000)

Introduction

The Vee Gap is a popular place and many park then walk to Bay Lough. The hills are rugged and heathery but there are reasonable paths to ease access. There are good views across the Vee Gap to Sugarloaf Hill and Knockmealdown. Much of the route up Knocknalougha runs alongside a low grassy embankment/wall which is slowly being overgrown by heather and rhododendrons. However, it is important not to stray too far from this wall as the tempting paths going off to the right lead well off the route. Unusually, there are no peat hags on this walk.

Route

(1) Facing the notice boards in the car park, the embankment is a few metres to the left with an obvious, moderately steep path going up alongside it. The path is mainly on the right hand side of the wall apart from one short section where it has to move to the left because of overgrowing rhododendrons. Continue up the side of the embankment. The path is faint in places but higher up is much more distinct and continues ahead when the embankment does not. Soon after, a fence comes in from the left then turns uphill with the path now on its right. The highest point is just before a corner where the fence turns left but one has to cross the fence – not too difficult but mind the barbed wire in places – to reach the small cairn which marks the summit of Knocknalougha, 660 m. A larger cairn lies on the path side of the fence just off this corner.

(2) Follow the fence, which roughly corresponds to the boundary line shown on the 1995 map, S then W then roughly NW over gently undulating ground. There is a rough path by the fence (keep it on your left); the ground is much rougher off this path. When the fence turns almost due S, leave it and continue ahead up easy, mainly grassy slopes. In clear weather, aim to go between the obvious stony patches. Once the angle eases, walk towards the N end of the plateau and reach the trig point which marks the summit of Knockshanahullion, 652 m. About 20 m away is an enormous stone covered mound which may be an ancient burial spot. Much of the stone has been fashioned into small cairns with a high walled shelter cairn in the middle. Smaller cairns lie further to the N which may indicate viewpoints.

(3) Retrace the outward route or to avoid the reascent of Knocknalougha and the steep descent to the Vee Gap, it looks relatively straightforward to descend down the gentle S ridge of Knockshanahullion to reach the Avondhu way which is well seen from the top on a clear day. This can then be followed back to the car park. Although it is a slightly longer route, there is no re-ascent of Knocknalougha or steep descent back to the Vee Gap so it should be quicker. However, this alternative has not been checked out.

Notes

(a) This walk took place on 19^th August, 2013.

(b) There is a very good camp and caravan site, at Ballinacourty House in the Glen of Aherlow, at R 857 294. It is very close to Clydagh Bridge and signposted from the same staggered crossroads. It is very well laid out with free showers. There is a small campers’ kitchen with 1 table and sink plus a free gas cooker, microwave, fridge and freezer. You may need your own pans. The nearest shop is in the village of Lisvarrinane, about 15 minutes walk. Tipperary, with a Tesco and Lidl, is about 7 miles.