Get Lost Mountaineering

Keadeen Mountain from Dwyer-McAllister Cottage Car Park in the Glen of Imaal

Start/Finish

Donard is a good base for the Wicklow Mountains and it is signposted off the N 81 road between Blessington and Baltinglass. Donard has a lovely camp site (see notes below) if you are not in a rush and can stay a few days. From Donard, take the road opposite Toomey's pub and follow it. It bends right later to reach a crossroads at the Glen of Imaal Stores where you can buy sandwiches, etc. Take the road opposite the stores. At the next junction, fork right then, almost immediately, go left at the next junction and follow the road to the well signposted car park.

Distance/Time

6 km       About 3 hours

Peaks

Keadeen Mountain, 653 m, S 953 897. (Irish National Grid System)

Irish OS Discovery Series Maps 56 & 62. (1:50000)

Introduction

Keadeen Mountain is a solitary hill which dominates the landscape to the west of the Ludnaquilla range and so is an excellent viewpoint of the surrounding hills and glens. It is a mixture of open hillside and forestry plantation. In summer, the lower open hillside is mainly overgrown with ferns. The route offered is suitable all year round and uses forestry tracks where possible to access the summit via its NE ridge.No ferns guaranteed!You should be able to easily reset your GPS to the Irish National Grid System.

Route

(1) Before setting off, try to spot the top corner of the forest as the route goes there. Walk back (NW) along the road which crosses a very small stream which won't have been noticed whilst driving as there is no bridge. There is a house on the left next to the stream. Continue past a field until a recessed gate, on the left, is reached opposite a double gate. A grassy track leads through the gate with two more gates in quick succession and another about 50 m further. Walk along the track, ignoring all turns and possible paths, until a very wide section is reached with open views. The track continues going slightly left and soon reaches another wide section. Take the left track here and follow it uphill. At a fork go left and follow the track which soon follows the edge of the mature forest which is on your right. When the track goes left to leave the edge of the forest, stay with the edge of the forest where there is also an overgrown wall. The top corner of the forest is what you are aiming for and it is only about 300 m further. The going up the left of the wall varies as there is some old tree felling debris and self set conifers growing but one can walk on the wide wall in places or even go slightly into the forest and walk between the mature trees. When the top corner of the forest is reached there is an old stile over the barbed wire fence which is easily crossed taking one on to the open hill side. Ascend the moderately steep, grassy heathery ground roughly following an imaginary continuation of the forest edge, roughly SSW. The ground improves fairly quickly and a faint path may be met which can be followed uphill. As soon as a crest becomes apparent, follow it. Higher up the gradient eases. When a fence comes in from the right, the summit is close but is frustratingly hidden until within about 50 m. A large cairn is met first then, about 50 m further, a trig point which marks the summit of Keadeen Mountain, 653 m. If it is clear, there are wonderful views to Ludnaquilla and many of its satellites as well as over the Glen of Imaal and to the pointed peak of Croaghanmoira to the E.

(2) Retrace the outward route, taking care on the initial descent from the summit if visibility is poor.

Notes

(a) This walk took place on 26^th August, 2010.

(b) There is an excellent camping and caravan site, in the village of Donard, called Moat Farm. It has beautiful landscaped grounds, including a stone circle (!) and is very well laid out with free hot showers. There is a large campers’ kitchen with tables and sinks but bring your own cooking equipment and pans. There is a fridge and freezer. There is also a sitting room with a TV. The owner and staff are very welcoming, very friendly and very helpful. You would be hard pressed to find a nicer site. Donard is about 4 miles from the Glen of Imaal stores (where you can buy a sandwich). Donard is signposted off the N 81 main road between Blessington and Baltinglass. More about Moat Farm in its own section!