Find the wall going north to south (or vice versa) over the summit

I had to laugh when I looked at the tracks on the site and compared it to my own from B'hinch Wd (O2276 0476). If I were to upload it there would be three tracks all of which reached the summit but took an unnecessary detour to the west. I wasn't laughing while I was there admittedly, but don't look back in anger, they seem to say.

I think the reason for this detour is the track marked on the east-west map, which most observers will expect to provide some route towards the summit, but which does not. It is more like an overgrown forest ride with thick gorse, and leads you onto the west side of the forestry from which any access route back towards the summit is heavily overgrown or completely blocked (by said forestry).

The key to accessing the summit is the wall which is only very faintly shown on the East-West Mapping Wicklow Mountains East map. You'll need your spectacles to spot it. It travels roughly from north to south, dissecting the summit, with thick forestry on both sides of it, preventing access from the east or west. The wall obviously pre-dated the plantation. The 2-3 metres either side of the wall are as good a track as you'll find to this summit.

The views east and north from the area to the north of the summit which is devoid of forestry are good. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/1085/comment/19854/

Read Less

Must be an easier way.

Climbed this top in Aug 15 from point B (O2385 0578) and followed route in Short Summary. The going was very overgrown in places and a bit of a bash to get to the top. There must be an easier route however - judging from the fire and booze remains at the summit. I don't think drunk teenagers do forest bashing! Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/1085/comment/18231/

Read Less

Viewed from Ballinastoe

Mount Kennedy viewed from Ballinastoe Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/1085/comment/23778/

Read Less

Getting a bit more difficult for Baggers but this worked!

We started from the West side at B'hinch Wd (O22782 04773) but used a critical piece of the track MV2506 (mcrtchly) who started from the North at T'hewer (O23731 05861). This resulted in easily reaching the wall mentioned by many at C (O44060 05182). We then followed the wall on a broad track between forestry. The final section is a bit more challenging due to overgrown gorse. Being March we were luckily wearing heavy winter clothes so could "push through" a few short, more difficult sections. Other contributors appear to have followed the wall all the way to the summit - however we deviated marginally to the left and this made life easier. At D (O24165 04945) we passed through a fence (already well used - picture) and veered left into the forest on a fairly obvious path; easier than continuing along the wall due to gorse. At E (O24212 04727) we returned to the wall though an already cut section of fence. Pushing through a bit of gorse here and there we reached the summit. Nice clearing but no views! Baggers only. Comments already on the site are some years old - so it appears to us that this final section of track has become more overgrown in recent years. Do it soon! Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/1085/comment/24162/

Read Less

Red kites in the blue sky

In hopes of finding a clear route to the summit, we approached from the south, starting at Callow Hill car park F (O24995 03010).

We followed the forest roads and tracks up to about the 300 metre contour at G (O24282 04031) where the path continued as a grassy track. Shortly afterwards the views opened out to the west. To our left (west) was a field with ponies grazing and a wire fence separating the field from the path. To the right was dense conifer forest. The path itself has some gorse growth but is passable.

It was clear that the path we were on would not lead us to the summit, instead bypassing the summit about 150m to the west. We were on the lookout for a firebreak or ride that would allow us to make our way through the forest. At H (O24135 04530) we saw our best chance - a deer track leading into the trees on our right. It proved easy enough to push through the trees and after about 50 metres we emerged into sunlight. From there, the final 90 metres to the summit was relatively open and clear.

At the summit area, we identified a pile of rocks at I (O24204 04614) as the local high point.

We looked for possible alternative routes off the summit but couldn't find a better option than the way we had come up.

The route was almost entirely dry and firm underfoot, with the exception of a short (and easily avoided) muddy section at about the 300m contour. Views were spectacular - to the east (Dunranhill and the coast up to Bray and the Sugarloaf) in the early part of the walk and then to the west (central Wicklow mountains down to Turlough Hill) near the summit. At the summit itself, the views are mainly obscured by trees.

We were treated to excellent views of a pair of red kites on the way up. It was a breathtaking sight as they hovered right overhead, wings spread against a clear blue sky. One of them even landed and perched briefly in a tree just 20 or 30 metres away from where we were walking. The sight of the characteristic patterns of the kite, wings spread against a clear blue sky, was breathtaking.

The sound of birdsong, especially blackbirds singing their heads off, added to the summer feeling.

So, a successful expedition all in all, attaining the summit more easily than we had expected, even if we didn't find the elusive (and probably non-existent) clear route. 6 km, 2 hours car to car. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/1085/comment/24191/

Read Less