Cloon Lough loop

I highly recommend Finnararagh. It's not as climbed as the more popular mountains in Kerry like Carrauntuohill and Brandon. I would say this is mainly down to the fact that It's a good 45 minutes drive beyond Killarney. That said on a clear day it offers spectacular 360 degree views. You can see Brandon, Carrauntuohill/Caher and of course Mullaghanattin.

Finnararagh has some amazing lakes that are nestled into the mountain. Make sure you have a good summers day for this one as it's the only way to really appreciate the scenery. Unfortunately I didn't have my camera on the day with the sunny weather but hopefully the photo will give you some idea of how nice it can be.`

Getting There:

From Killarney, take the road for Glencar. Go past Glencar post office, turn left at Bealalaw Bridge. Park your car at Cloon Lough (approx. E (V70820 78785))

Description of walk:

Head up the track on the northwestern side of Cloon Lough.

1 Make your way to the summit of Coomura mountain [666m above sea level]

2. Next make for the top of Coomnacronia via two cols to the couth of Coomura

3. Next ascend to spot Height 667m which is the summit of Finnararagh

4. Your now on the ridge at this point. Follow the ridge in a north easterly direction to spot height 543m to 570m to 551m to 619m . (Warning steep ridge at both sides from 543m on)

5. Turn east to spot height 636m heading for Mullaghanattin. Continue the ridge to 657m. Then drop down steeply (be vigilant here, steep ground that would be dangerous in foggy conditions) and climb sharply up to 752m (Beann). There is fence that runs all the way to the top of the mountain.

6. After 752m continue on the ridge for approx 1/3 km to meet the spur going down in a north westerly direction to join the road beside Cloon Lough. This road will bring you back to your car. Be careful coming down the spur as this ground is quite steep in places. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/160/comment/1653/

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A Beautiful Ridge Walk

You have a choice of two starting points for this walk at Coomeen SE (V71137 72289) where there is ample parking. Park here and walk back 50 meters approx to farm track, up to farm sheds keeping left in farm yard pass through gate, turning right heading to rusted gate at C (V70294 72080) following fence to ridge and turning right at F (V69796 72271) follow this fence to G (V70223 73115) and turn left for summit.
Or you can start at Coomyan Br (V71707 72935), but be advised there is only room for one car - this is the easier option as there is a farm track not shown on OS78 that will bring you up close to point F (V69796 72271) - this option was only visible to me on my descent. - From summit of Finnararagh follow ridge across to Sallagh - Beann Far SW Top ( My 500th summit) and Beann SW Top after which you will begin your descent at H (V72074 74744) follow fence and river but bear in mind you are heading for farm track at I (V72107 75973) which will bring you down the valley to farm yard - very nice farmer - and back to car. The walk takes circa 5 hours with fantastic views over Cloon Lough and back towards Coomura Mountain. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/160/comment/14738/

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johnvbrennan on Finnararagh

Just had to add this photo of some unusual lakes on Finnararagh. The photo doesn't do them justice. Note: there are actually 2 lakes in the photo (spot the other one just beneath the main lake) Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/160/comment/1654/

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Risen arches.

Striding along the scarp from Coomnacronia to An Corrán gives dramatic views to the south, however spare a thought for the geology visible also.
This arch in the rock (an anticline) is a sign of the huge folding pressures that must have been here once. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/160/comment/6315/

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A Cloon View

An Corrán lies on the Cloon Horseshoe walk in the wild and unspoilt Dunkerron Mountains which offer arguably some of the finest scenery in Ireland. This panorama was shot near its summit as the sun was sinking low in the western horizon. Macgillycuddy's Reeks can be seen in the background; the summits of Beann and Sallagh in the foreground; Cloon Lough and the Slieve Mish Mountains and Dingle Bay on the far left horizon. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/160/comment/17595/

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