While it's possible to walk on a bearing from where the Beara Way enters the trees near the lakes in the valley to the north, the ground varies from knee high to waist high grass with lots of hidden rocks and hole, so it's only for total masochists. Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/1091/comment/17758/

We parked at one of the laybys on the main R572 road, walked west along it for a short distance and then began our ascent from the south. Gowlbeg is only 362 metres but it took a bit more effort than we anticipated to reach the summit. It was well worth it though. There are superb views in all directions - the majestic Bantry Bay and Sugarloaf in particular. The latter, an iconic peak that, when one approaches from the east, looks exactly like what a child's drawing of a mountain would look like. From the summit we descended to the col just below Sugarloaf and then walked in a north-east direction through woodland and completed the circuit via another shortish stretch on the R572. Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/1091/comment/23416/

Climbed Gowlbeg from the south, terrain typical of the area but the going was never really too bad. Many rocky areas to be circumnavigated to reach the top, again great views in all direction from the top. best kept for a dry day if you have the inclination!. See track 4515 Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/1091/comment/23186/