Small is beautiful

I groaned when I realised that due to the change in the local 100 list, I now had to climb almost double the number of mountains than those I had yet to complete on the old list if I wanted to get certified by MV! However, Wicklore’s words have come back to me time and again over the last fortnight, for it was he who let me in on a secret: some of the finest views in Wicklow and Wexford are from the smaller and less frequented hills. How right he is! The new local 100 list includes some real gems, and I think Kilmichael Hill is charming.

There is parking for one vehicle if you tuck in close to the hedge at A (T11060 64189) right at the start of the walk. Pass through the gap in the hedge and follow the informal pathway that meanders gradually upwards through an established deciduous forest of beech and hazel. This walk is at its absolute best during spring; delicate new leaves quiver on the boughs, the ground is misty with thousands of fragrant bluebells and the air alive with birdsong. After around 15 minutes, the pathway passes out of the deciduous forest and abruptly enters a dark, tunnel-like route through a young conifer plantation. Before long it meets a service trackway, the juncture incongruously marked by a traffic cone and makeshift arrows! Bearing right, most of the obvious ascent is now over, and after taking the next left, the track undulates its way gently upwards towards a mast, past hedgerows bursting with golden gorse and broom. Several deep potholes in the little used track team with tadpoles. Colourful patches of Common Bird’s Foot Trefoil, Lousewort and Common Milkwort carpet the thickly vegetated centre of the track, while the heady perfume of rowan blossom hangs thickly in the air.

The summit area is pretty ordinary, the views of the rolling Wexford farmland snatched away by the maturing trees. MV has the summit to the NW of the mast in the conifer plantation, but the ground appears to be lower in that direction. The made up ground closest to the mast appears to be higher and the summit is therefore at B (T09794 63203) or thereabouts. Return via the same route. The traffic cone certainly comes in handy, as it could be easy to miss the pathway into the conifer plantation, now on your left. An easy hill to summit, taking around an hour up and back. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/1197/comment/16072/

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A Local Amenity.

Ever since the inclusion of the new summits on Mountain Views it is nice to arrive at summits where permission for access is not required and at Kilmichael this is due to the endevour of the local community in developing a forestry walk. Parking at the church above Hollyfort continue uphill to the fifth house on right and opposite its gate is an open gap into a narrow but mature forest (C (T11074 64179)) where you will find a well defined track leading to the plantation forest.
(Do not take gated field entrance) On arrival at a vehicle track turn right taking the next left arriving at a mast where you will locate the summit behind the structure but be aware the highest point is caused by the site construction spoil. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/1197/comment/16055/

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Over the Treetops

Views of Slieveboy to the south from the summit area. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/1197/comment/18457/

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Southernmost hill in Wicklow

Parked just beside Blue house just past church a little up hill from Hollyfort (D (T11045 64180)). Follow track into field, than walk up through field to top corner than follow low wall separating trees from field, crossing a few gaps in fences until you get to top.

Always ask landowner permission to cross land, never ever damage fences and beware of livestock. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/1197/comment/15878/

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