Blue skies and showers scudding across the shining sea.

Our small country with its fractal coastline and hillscapes constantly throws up unexpected delights.

On the wet August holiday weekend of 2015, we parked at A (V49323 61565) shown as 'slipway' on the OSI map. Followed the wonderfully scenic tarred roadway until we reached a gate with sign for 'The Paddocks' at B (V47289 60478). Passed through the gate and followed the green road, but keeping straight along the coast as opposed to turning right towards the holiday home (presumably the eponymous 'Paddocks'). When a band of rocks is reached, turn right following same towards summit.

Blue skies and showers scudding across the shining sea.

Met a resident and true gentleman on the way who advised (a) that there were no access issues and (b) that one should retrace one's steps on descending the hill - following the temptation to travel east from the summit apparently leads into shoulder-high ferns and gorse.

Had intended following the ridge up to Beenarourk and Coomakista, but this looked like a surprisingly steep scramble which we decided against given the close to gale force winds. Instead we visited the impressive Napoleonic tower at C (V48464 60815) by taking the southern right hand branch on the roadway on the return leg. Don't be tempted to cut downhill and due north from same onto the roadway - this was overgrown and nasty. Instead the green road near the tower will apparently bring you onto the tarred road a few hundred metres east as indicated on the MV map.

Bring the family and be respectful to the landowners. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/1335/comment/18227/

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An amazing small hill on a good day

I visited Reenearagh In July 2015. Unlike Ciarraioch who also climbed this hill soon after, I was lucky to have had wonderful weather. As Ciarraioch says, the drive to the parking point is fantastic, and the further I drove along the scenic road I couldn’t believe that there were people living in such a secluded place. On a good day I’d say they are in heaven, but when a nasty Atlantic storm rolls in I’d say it’s hell.

I had spoken to one local resident who told me to park at the end of the road at the gates to ‘The Paddocks’. (B (V47289 60478) ). It is possible to park one car here without blocking the road or gate. It’s comforting to hear that Thomas_G and Ciarraioch also received a friendly welcome re access, as this starting point does initially pass along the gated lane to The Paddocks. The Paddocks is a lovely stone built holiday home and is one of several with similar design tucked away on this quiet road.

I took an anticlockwise route to the summit, which is less than a kilometre from the starting point. After leaving the track I wandered up through long grass and heather to approach the summit from the east. It was indeed quite an effort (In July anyway!) I returned by dropping south and completing a mini-circuit. The return part of the walk was much easier over short grass and slabs of rock. This is one of the best of the small summits I have walked – the views are sublime. To the south the green of Deenish and Scarriff islands contrasted with the blue of the ocean. About 25 kms to the west the distant jagged Skelligs rise from the Atlantic. Ballinskelligs Bay glistened in the sunlight to the north, and the wide expanse of the Atlantic veered away to the south and west. This is the place for whales, sharks and dolphins, for multitudes of wheeling seabirds and fishing boats plying their trade.

The very tip of the small peninsula Reenearagh occupies is actually an island, and is separated from Reenearagh by a narrow deep channel. It would not be possible for non-climbers to reach. You can look down to it from the summit to see the seabirds that make it their home, knowing that landlubbers won’t get across the narrow channel to disturb them! Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/1335/comment/18286/

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a chance meeting

I parked at D (V479 607), where a gravel area offers room for 2 cars. While walking along the road I chanced to meet the farmer out feeding the sheep in her jeep. A lovely lady, a long chat ensued and permission was sought to walk out to the end of the head; since I was unlikely to eat the grass on the sheep, permission was granted. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/1335/comment/15987/

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Another super Kerry Binnion

Met local farmer who informed that it was okay to park at end of road just outside gate mentioned in earlier comments, a wonderful walk on a wonderful day, superb location very rewarding hill. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/1335/comment/23852/

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