Get Lost Mountaineering

Knocknagantee & Knockmoyle from near upper Sneem River to S

Start/Finish

Small parking spot about 200 m before the fork (V 672 704) almost at the end of the minor road up the Sneem River from Sneem. From Killarney, take N71 for Kenmare. At Moll's Gap, turn right on to Sneem road, R568. Follow this to Sneem. Turn right on to the main road, cross the river then take the first right for Maulagallane. After a 90 degree turn left, reach a fork where you go left then follow the road to the above fork, ignoring all turnings. At the fork, turn around and retrace for about 200 m to park by a wood. If there is no space, retrace further. There is a “No Shooting” sign at the fork.

Distance/Time

12 km      About 5 hours

Peaks

Knocknagantee, 676 m, V 668 730.     (Irish National Grid System)

Knockmoyle, 684 m, V 665 750.

Irish OS Discovery Series Map 78 (1:50000).

Map 84 will also be needed to navigate to the start from Sneem.

Introduction

This is a tough and rugged walk in very wild country which is also very boggy in places so wear boots and gaiters suitable for the most boggy conditions. Knocknagantee is a magnificent mountain. Views are excellent and include the other fine peaks in Knockmoyle range (Coomura, Coomanassig and Finararagh), the Colly, Coomacarrea and Meenteog range plus the Beann range. Navigation can be very taxing in thick weather with some guide books giving quite misleading information which could easily lead one well astray. A walk covering all five summits in this range will also be uploaded.

Route

(1) Continue up the road to the fork then go left to the buildings at the end of the road. By now the track going up Knocknagantee should be obvious. Continue through the farm to gain this track and follow it up. When a stepped stile is reached, it can be crossed and the fence followed to the summit up steep and rocky ground. Alternatively, stay on the track which goes much much further than shown on the 1995 map and actually goes on to the shallow col to the NW of the summit and at a height of about 630 m. From here, walk roughly SE up gentle slopes. When a fence is seen (the same fence as mentioned above) follow it S, crossing a stile just before the medium cairn which marks the summit of Knocknagantee, 676 m.

(2) Follow the fence N as it descends gently through some wet and boggy areas. The going is perhaps easier on the left of the fence. When a stile is reached just before a fence going off left, cross over and now keep the fence on your left, ignoring the fence going off left. Soon another fence goes off left. Follow this fence (no stile but easy to cross). This picks its way up and across the S flank of Knockmoyle but does not go to the summit so soon leave the fence and head roughly N, ascending grassy and boggy ground. There is a hint of a path but it is not obvious. The summit plateau is surrounded by steep slopes in an arc from W to N to E and a fence crosses the top which can help in thick weather. A small cairn marks the summit of Knockmoyle, 684 m.

(3) Retrace the outward route although in good weather it is straightforward to omit the summit of Knocknagantee and head straight for the top of the track. In thick weather, it might be wise to go back to the summit cairn on Knocknagantee then either locate the top of the track or follow the fence down to the S to where it eventually meets the track.

Notes

(a) This walk took place on 2^nd April, 2014.

(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.