The prettier path

Most approaches to this unremarkable hill are from the west, at Glenmacnass Car Park. However the experience can be enhanced greatly by taking the long way around and starting at OldBge X (O1581 0197), (Scout Centre) where there is space to park for about 6 cars (although this can be crammed at weekends and during fine weather. Continue along the road to OldBge X (O1581 0197) where you will see a small gate on the right leading to a track that hugs the western side of Lough Dan. The views along this track are tremendous. Follow this as far as A (O148 037) and go through another gate where you will see a track on your left leading up the hill. From here it is a relatively easy climb of about 2km all the way to the top. An unlovely summit, but the views over Lough Dan redeem it. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/1469/comment/23290/

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Pent up but unaware youth causing grief.

I contacted Mountaineering Ireland about the Kanturk situation and this is what they told me.

"The contributor doesn’t mention the background to the situation at Lough Dan – the huge problems that have been experienced over the last couple of months with irresponsible camping focused on the beach at the northwest end of Lough Dan. Sean Byrne and his family have been cleaning up repeatedly - removing waste food, clothing, tents, bottles, cans and more. The Byrnes take the rubbish to their house (Lough Dan House B&B) where the PURE Project truck collects it. With the agreement of their neighbours, and support from the local Rural Recreation Officer, access for camping has been closed. Knowing that signs alone will not work, members of the Byrne family are at the gate as much as they can (while it’s difficult to turn people back, and it’s a major time commitment, this is easier than cleaning up after people). As walkers and people who love the mountains I believe we should be very grateful to the Byrnes for what they’re doing to protect Lough Dan and the beauty of the Inchavore Valley. The Kanturk agreed Access Route remains open, however continued access, here as in other places, does rely on people being responsible.

I’ve attached a couple of photos of the signage at Lough Dan. The Private Property sign is in part necessitated by Googlemaps showing a Wicklow Mountains National Park label in the Inchavore Valley (despite this being privately-owned land). That said, the disgusting behaviour exhibited at Lough Dan over the last couple of months should not be acceptable in any location, whether State-owned or privately owned." Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/1469/comment/20835/

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On the way to Scarr

Took in Kanturk on the way to Scarr today,parked at Glenmacnass car park above the falls and followed good track straight across the road heading East,this track crosses another wider track heading SE which will take you up onto Kanturk and on up to Scarr itself.Easy climb,not too wet underfoot with super views once you get up onto Scarr.Returned the way we came to thankfully find the car intact noting reports of regular break ins up here. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/1469/comment/18458/

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Oldbridge to Lough Dan - access issue

I am reliably informed that a large gate has been erected at the Oldbridge access to Lough Dan just beyond the bridge. A hiking friend tells me that he was on a club hillwalk from there to Kanturk on Sunday 26 July 2020, and that one of the local residents was preventing visitors from going beyond this gate. However, the hiking group was able to proceed to Kanturk.
I subsequently found a notice on wicklownews.net that "access to the lake at Lough Dan is currently closed due to ongoing anti-social behaviour, littering and unauthorised camping throughout the Covid crisis. Access to Kanturk remains open." (dated July 2020).
This is of concern in the context of the Pier Gates being locked currently, although I have heard that they might be re-opened in August. Something to keep under observation, I would think. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/1469/comment/20830/

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Easy bag.

Started at the Glenmacnass car park at GlMacnas (O11377 03005). Headed due East taking in rough paths then went cross country for prominent stone pillar before reaching summit area. There are a number of rocky outcrops at the top so bagged a few as unsure which one is the actual summit. Easy bag before or after Scarr. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/1469/comment/18357/

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