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Knocknadobar

Knocknadobar from SE

Start/Finish

Just to the N of the road junction at V 482 825, there is a small grotto on the right, E, of the road. Drive N past this and look for a suitable parking spot on the side of the road. Parking is limited so try to arrive early

Distance/Time

16 km      About 6 - 7 hours

Peaks

Knocknadobar, 690 m, V 507 845.

Knocknadobar NE Top, 633 m, V 529 858.

Knocknadobar Far NE Top, 612 m, V 537 860.

Irish OS Discovery Series Map 78 (1:50000)

Introduction

Knocknadobar occupies a prominent position on the Killorglin to Cahersiveen road, N70. It is the only significant mountain which lies on the seaward side of the road. On a clear day there are good vies of the Coomnacarrea range across the N70 as well as good views of all the hills on the Dingle Peninsula. Navigation is relatively straightforward if you keep your wits about you but if you need to, you should be able to easily reset your GPS to the Irish National Grid System.

Route

(1) From the grotto, walk towards the sea to reach a metal gate which has a sign pointing the way to the Stations of the Cross. On 8/9/12, most of the letters had fallen off! Go through the gate and follow the muddy path up to another gate beyond which is the first cross. Follow the path, often wet, boggy and peaty, from one cross to another. Lower down, one can not see a cross from the one before so care is needed as there are several paths. In places the path doubles back but is never really steep. Cross 11 is the first cross on the crest. From here, one can either follow the peaty path along the crest to go straight to cross 14 or one can follow the grassy and stony path on the NW side of the crest to reach crosses 12 and 13 where one then ascends directly up to the crest despite a good path continuing to contour on the NW side. Just after cross 14 is a much larger cross and beyond that is a trig point with a low shelter wall beyond which marks the summit of Knocknadobar, 690 m.

(2) From the summit, descend NE on a path then ascend slightly to a large cairn with a much smaller one beyond. Descend more steeply, mainly on a path, to reach a broad boggy col. Ascend the other side on a fairly clear path aided, in places, by some small standing stones to reach a plateau. A medium cairn on the seaward edge marks the summit of Knocknadobar NE Top, 633.

(3) Descend NE, initially on a path which soon fades, down wet grass to reach a broad col. Ascend E up easy slopes to reach the medium cairn which marks the summit of Knocknadobar Far NE Top, 612 m.

(4) Return to the col between Knocknadobar and its NE Top. From here, either retrace the outward route or follow the path down indicated by an indicator post. The path goes some distance but eventually fades away so then head for the track at V 518 831 and follow it to the road junction at V 520 828. Follow the minor road W to where it joins another minor road above Cloghane. Turn right then fork right soon after to return to the start. The road walk back is about 5 km. Note that there seem to be no shortcuts involving paths or tracks and that the dismantled railway can only be followed a short distance before it enters overgrown vegetation. Trying to contour around Knocknadobar is not easy on the rough wet ground and many barbed wire fences block the way. It is probably quicker, and certainly shorter, to retrace the outward route especially if a more direct route than following the Stations of the Cross is followed.

Notes

(a) This walk took place on 8th September, 2012.

(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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