Ireland Reeks Ridges Traverse

QMD Walks

Reeks Ridges Traverse (Reeks Circular Pt. 2)

Relevant OS Maps include: OS Adventure Series Macgillycuddy’s Reeks and Killarney National Park 1:25. Harvey Macgillycuddy’s Reeks Superwalker XT 30 (1:30) – This is the superior map by quite some way. A good guidebook is strongly advised such as Carrauntoohil & Macgillycuddy’s Reeks by Jim Ryan and/or The Mountains of Ireland by Paddy Dillon.

NOTE: Grid references are not quite the same as they are on UK OS Maps.

Distance: c. 10.5 miles

Going: Demanding. Some rough ground. PRoW and FPs not always clear. Route finding necessary. Some boulder fields and steep ground. Some scrambling.

1. Start at Gap of Dunloe Madman’s Seat V837871. From the gap TR CB c. 270 and find route to Drishana V864839. Can handrail wall/fence CB 270 then when wall BL BR on CB 300 to Drishana. NOTE: ridges on RHS are steep and sheer.

2. From Drishana find route to Cnoc na dTarbh V850862, CB 345. This is a tricky stretch across open ground with no full indication of FP.

3. From Cnoc na dTarbh take line to Cnoc an Bhraca V859855, CB 323. FPs on climb but keep on good CB.

4. From Cnoc an Bhraca TL and follow FP to Cruach Mhor V841848, CB 252. NOTE: there are plenty of crag/outcrop scrambles on this part of the route but best avoided for a good line as this is early on route and there are three demanding ridges and some boulder fields later.

5. From Cruach Mhor follow exposed FP across ridge The Big Gun V842845, CB 180. NOTE: the FP is fairly consistent and noticeable but does move from one side of the ridge to the other. At one point it reaches the foot of a big slab. Here the FP goes to the RHS of the slab.

6. From The Big Gun follow FP across arete to Cnoc na Peiste V842835, CB 240 . NOTE: there is a lack of escapes between Cruach Mhor and Cnoc na Peiste.

7. From Cnoc na Peiste follow ridgeline across to Maolan Bui V834839, CB 225, and on to Cnoc an Chuillinn V824834, CB 240, and on to Cnoc na Toinne V811834, CB 275. NOTE: main FP runs parallel to ridge and below some of the additional high ring contours. Staying on the ridge line bags the additional high ring contours and may be a better line.

8. From Cnoc na Toinne descend to Devil’s Ladder, V806837, CB 302 and then ascend Carrauntoohil V803845, CB 333. Descend Carrauntoohil CB 300 and follow FP

round over ridge (Grade 1 Scramble, good line on RHS) CB 001 to Beenkeragh V801852 (boulder fields).

9. From Beenkeragh make way to 824m ring contour V805856, CB 040. From 824 make way to Knockbrinnae V810858, CB 078. NOTE: Can take in Knockbrinnae West Top V807858 as well. CB 055 from 824 then from West Top CB 108 to Knockbrinnae.

10. From Knockbrinnae follow spur down CB 040. (By BL on a CB 011 you can come off boulder field a little sooner then BR along line of boulder field CB 068.) As you leave steeper ground and boulder field BR CB 075 aiming for FP JNCT V826865 before FB. BR on FP over FB V828865 and along FP to Cronin’s Yard V836874.

Glossary BL - Bear Left BR - Bear Right CB - Compass Bearing FB – Footbridge FP - Footpath. Usually marked on 1:25 but not on 1:50 JNCT - Junction (paths/tracks cross/join) OA – Open Access PRoW - Public Right of Way. Usually marked on 1:25 and 1:50 Quad bike track - Two parallel lines going across the fell made by continued use by quad bike RHS – Right hand side LHS – Left hand side TL - Turn Left TR - Turn Right Track - A wide track that looks suitably for 4x4 vehicles