Although close, previously when walking the Wicklow Way, I had not actually been to the top of this hill. As it was one of two 500m tops in Wicklow that I had not climbed I decided to do so on 13 Sept. 2013. To say I found it uninspiring would be an understatement. However in the interests of anyone who wishes to climb Slieve Maan I thought the following comments might be helpful. I started from the forest entrance on the col below Croaghanmoira, parking at
MlRd SMaan
(T08750 87601)
and followed the track W into the forest. At the road I had noticed that the Wicklow Way which followed this route was re-directed N down the Military Road and not into the forest. A short way in I came across a sign which explained the re-routing, access was restricted beyond that point to authorised personnel. Fortunately for me some men were working there and as no forestry operations were being carried out that morning they agreed that I could continue my walk. However they also advised that due to the track closure walkers should use the next forest entrance signed for the Drumgoff Recreational Area at
DrGof Fst
(T094 889)
some 2km further NE down the Military Road. Continuing on, with permission, I sought out the overgrown forest break at
C
(T08600 88518)
and must agree that overgrown is certainly a very apt description. Indeed if it were not for some evidence of foot fall on the bank up into the forest one could be excused for missing it. My thanks are due to mcrtchly for pointing the way. From here I headed up NW twisting and weaving my way through the moss covered trees for some 300 metres to emerge out on to quite a large clear grass and peat hagged area with the the NE Top clearly identified by an old cairn at
D
(T08395 88733)
, the MV listed high point for the hill, and close to a small pond. Once back down at the track, I decided to seek out the SW top at
B
(T082 880)
. Though ill-defined it is located on a long narrow grassy area near to the line of an old fence and is even less interesting than it's twin some 800 metres to the NNE. While much of the forest below the SW Top has been harvested the top area is still surrounded by trees. My route was initially along a very rough vehicle track which led me up the side of the cleared hillside before I left it and went up through the trees to the top. From there I descended down E out onto the cleared hillside and back down to my outward track. In all this short detour added about 500 metres to a walk of 4.5km.
Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/360/comment/15186/
Read Less