Brandon Peak, Barr an Ghéaráin, Géarán Mór 840m mountain, Brandon Group S: Brandon Ridge South Ireland at MountainViews.ie

Longitude: -10.236348, Latitude: 52.216359 , Easting: 47207, Northing: 109481 Prominence: 190m, Isolation: 0.8km
ITM: 447190 609534, GPS IDs, 6 char: BrndPk, 10 char: BrndnPeak
Bedrock type: Rhythmically bedded sandstone, (Ballymore Sandstone Formation)

From the vicinity of Cloghane church there is a strange optical illusion whereby this peak seems higher than the summit, though it is actually over 100m lower. Barr an Ghéaráin is the 25th highest place in Ireland.
Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/24/

MountainViews.ie Picture about mountain Brandon Peak (<i>Barr an Ghéaráin</i>) in area Brandon Group, Ireland

Picture: The peak as seen from the north

A pointed summit on a grassy, well-defined ridge with extensive views.

Short Summary created by markmjcampion, Colin Murphy, Onzy 17 Aug 2023

Brandon Peak is a spectacularly placed peak along the Brandon ridge. It’s surrounded by v steep ground on a 180 degree Eastern sweep so take care in bad weather. Grand views of nearby hills from Eagle to Beenoskee and further afield to Iveragh, Kerry Head and, at times, Loop Head.
The peak is usually reached in combination with others including Brandon, Brandon S. Top and Gearhane and possibly Masatiompan.

W. Park at Ballybrack Q43380 09412 star

A [large, busy car park] and ascend the gentle slopes and large crosses of the Saint’s Rd. Once you reach Brandon head SSE over its S top along a well-defined ridge before finally climbing steeply to reach the top of BP. [Allow 3 to 4 hrs]

NE. Park near Cloghane at Q49383 11982 star

B from where you have the choice of 2 paths; along a well-used track into the coomb NE of B. summit, or a higher, much trickier and exposed route over the Faha Ridge. When you top the ridge head S for B. and thereafter follow the ridge S for BP. {4 to 5 hrs]

NW. From Ballyknockane Q43340 12466 star

C follow the Dingle Way which leads east to the col between Masatiompan and Piaras Mor and on to B. [4hrs+]

SW. For a great but long day out [2nd car needed], start at the Conor Pass and take in Beendubh, Beenabrack and Ballysitteragh before reaching Gearhane and BP.

WSW. Start at Ballinloghig from around Q42500 07709 star

D (parking could be difficult) head over SH 404 and along airy ridge onto Gearhane.
Notable tracks incl. track/4249, track/3651 and track/4533 Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/24/comment/4784/

Picture: Barr an Ghearain

Brandon Peak viewed from Slieveanea

by CaminoPat 7 Jan 2023

God’s own country - one of the best views that Kerry has to offer. Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/24/comment/23788/

A magic scramble up the East Ridge

by IainT 2 Oct 2018

Onzy mentions the East Ridge of Brandon Peak, which is indeed a spectacular route, with more and better scrambling than the Faha Ridge. Had a great day on it in september. Park at the foot of the farm road at 490 084 star

E, space for a couple of cars, maybe three. Follow the farm road and track up to a gate through the top fence just short of the loch. Go sharp right, through a bit of a boulder field until below the main shoulder coming down from the ridge, with Loch Cruttia down to your right. The foot of the ridge is in two buttresses, both nearly vertical at the bottom. Either go up the grassy gully in between them to join the RH buttress at a prominent wide crack, or get onto the LH buttress from either side and scramble up it (a bit vegetated), then once the angle eases off descend a steep sheep track rightwards to reach the same point. The crack is Moderate, and the L edge of the slab is the same grade. The whole lot is avoidable on the left. Lots more optional problems of any grade you like lead up to an easing of angle. The ridge then gets much narrower and more ridge-like, but also much easier. It's barely scrambling, but the big drop on the right gives some brilliant airy situations. It finishes bang on the summit cairn of Brandon Peak. A super way up the hill. Descending the East ridge of Gearhane takes you conveniently back to the start. Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/24/comment/18729/

aidand on Brandon Peak, 2004

by aidand 9 Aug 2004

Climbed Brandon Peak recently as part of a ridge walk. We started at Faha near Cloghane, up the tourist route to Mount Brandon (took 2 hours). This is very well marked. From here follow a line of old fence posts and then a stone wall. This will bring you safley most of the way to Brandon Peak. In clear weather the views are excellent as described. From here it is a very clear ridge walk onto Gearhane. From here go through the gate. Follow the fence on your right for 3-400 yards. Then turn left and down to the farmhouse at Mullagh. This is the valley under the northside of the Connor Pass. It took us 5 hours to this point. Thankfully we had arranged to be collected here. Otherwise it is a 3 or 4 mile walk back on a tarred road to Cloghane and further again if you have to walk back to Faha.
This walk is definitely worth doing. I am already planning to do it by the reverse route and hopefully heading on from Mount Brandon to Pearasmore and down to Brandon Village. Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/24/comment/1072/

csd on Brandon Peak, 2003

by csd 29 Jun 2003

Photo shows the ridge walk over to Brandon Peak (centre), taken from the southern slopes of Mt Brandon itself. The wall makes navigating from Brandon to Brandon Peak trivial. Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/24/comment/570/

Picture: view form pass near Mullagheveal, path to top and Brocken spectre

from Mullaghveal to top and back

by marzka 29 Apr 2012

I was there in 2010.
Getting there: From Tralee , follow the N86 road, and then the R56 for Cloghane.. Just before village cross a bridge, pass the garda station on the right, and then cross another bridge and take the next left. Go to the end of the road. Start point is on the farm gate with climbing warning sign. Go through several gates and at the end keep the track on the right side. Walk up the track for a hundred metres. It is very wet on the pass, so going right to the top - keep going near the fence on the north.. go up to the gate, and then you'll find a good path to the top.
as everyone know the summit is frequently shrouded in clouds but it gives an opportunity to see the brocken spectre..
time: about 5 hours Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/24/comment/6787/

COMMENTS for Brandon Peak (Barr an Ghéaráin)

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