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Coomcallee from N by direct route

Coomcallee from N by direct route

Start/Finish

Lough Isknamacteery which is at the end of a monir road from Waterville on the Ring of Kerry. Approaching Waterville from the north (Cahersiveen & Killorglin), the road swings right at a church about 1.5 miles N of the village. Stay on the main road and enter Waterville. Look for a short road on the left where there is a small supermarket. Go up this road then across the road at the top which is signed (not obviously) for Lough Currane and Church Island. It is about 6 miles to the end of the road. There is limited parking.

Distance/Time

10 km      About 3 - 4 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 a very scenic and interesting walk on a clear day. In fine weather, there are 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 S is recommended in bad, misty weather and is covered in a separate walk. The ascent route goes up the W side of the prominent gully coming down to Lough Isknamacteery. It looks very steep head on from the road but is not too bad at all and can be ascended without scrambling but could be quite a serious proposition in winter conditions. Once across the stream, the ascent to the summit takes little more than an hour.

Route

(1) Walk from the road, crossing a barbed wire fence by the road then another just before crossing the stream flowing out of Lough Isknamacteery. This may be awkward after recent rain. Once across, start picking a way up the moderately steep slopes which are rocky but with plenty of grass too. Gradually drift over to the left to gain the ridge proper over looking the gully. There is more than a hint of a path in places. When the angles eases, drift right and the top should soon be visible. If you reach a fence first, follow it W to a stile over which is the the trig point which marks the summit of Coomcallee, 675 m.

(2) Follow the fence E, through a peaty area (not too boggy) then down to a broad grassy col. Continue following the fence up the other side to a minor top which is actually the top of the descent ridge. Continue following the fence until itpasses closely to the right of a peat hag where an old fence goes off to the right. About 20 m along this fence is a small cairn around a fence post which is the summit of Coomcallee E Top, 650 m. A small lochan, not on the map, lies just to the E.

(3) Retrace back towards the minor top then walk down its ridge which initially goes NNE. In clear weather, it is easy to traverse this minor top on its N side to join its NNE ridge below the top. Follow the ridge down which turns NNW after a minor top then WNW further down. It is worth walking near to the steep edge to look into the deep corrie above Lough Nambrackdarrig. Lower down the ridge meets a farm track which leads back to the road alongside Lough Isknamacteery.

Notes

(a) This walk took place on 11th 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 4th 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.

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