Making bland Corrig the centre of attention

The Dublin/Wicklow Mountains will never come top of the list for those seeking exposure to airy ridges or rocky scrambles. While exciting scrambling and climbing opportunities do exist, overall the hills and mountains of the group could largely be summarized as round lumps of bog. Many summits are bleak and bare, and amongst the bleakest sits Corrig. But just as many of the summits offer fantastic walking, so too Corrig offers an opportunity for an interesting and remote route that avoids the usual Kilbride Circuit approach.

Start at a gate at CstKelly Bge (O10923 19923) at a sharp bend in the road. There is parking for one or two cars. From the sharp bend walk back north along the road for a hundred metres to the minor junction at B (O10876 20041). Turn left up the steep road and come to a house after another hundred metres. There is a gate on the left just after the house with a track beyond. Ask at the house about permission to enter the track. Permission was readily given to us when we spoke to the farmer. Follow the track for about 400 metres until you come to another gate leading onto open hillside. Stretching in front of you is the wide Glenasmole Valley that sweeps up to the highest point of Dublin – Kippure, about 4 ½ kms distant. This valley is little visited and is home to several babbling brooks complete with myriad mini waterfalls, a herd of wild goats and lots of deer. The valley is also home to the infant River Dodder which has its origins high on the slopes of Kippure. Glenasmole is also noted for the variety of goings – on that occurred during Finn McCool’s time about 1700 years ago. Stories of Dragons, Hairy Fellows and Greek Hags abound, as well as a mighty battle at De Dearga’s Hostel which was said to be situated in the valley. Read my Kippure walk guide no.102 in the Walks section for the details of these fierce deeds!

After entering the open hillside continue south for about 500 metres. At about C (O10820 19362) turn right and head west for almost two kms climbing 340 metres up to Corrig’s modest summit. You will need to cross Slade Brook at about D (O10240 19339), which will require care. Like other brooks in the valley, it is flowing swiftly downhill with narrow steep sided walls in places but safe crossing points can be found along its route. As you climb take in the emerging views as the wide bog sweeps east up to Glendoo Mountain and south to Kippure. Although the busy Military Road out of Dublin overlooks this valley, it is barely noticeable as it crosses high on Glendoo and won’t impinge upon your feeling of isolation.

From Corrig a nice ramble can be had up to Seefingan before dropping back into the valley starting at about E (O08989 17051) for a 4km descent through the bog. Cross Cot Brook at F (O10799 18277) and follow it north before aiming for the track at G (O11055 19568) which will lead directly back to the car in 10 minutes. A very enjoyable and worthwhile 10km walk within view of Dublin City! Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/247/comment/6187/

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wicklore on Corrig Mountain

Poor old Corrig Mountain is a bit unfortunate in the popularity stakes. It is one of the four mountains that arc around the Kilbride army rifle range in west Wicklow. Sadly for Corrig it is the smallest of the four. Also going against it is that its three bigger neighbours all have fantastic megalithic tombs to interest the walker. Perhaps Corrig is most unfortunate in that it is a bare windswept summit which offers absolutely no protection from the weather. Walkers can enjoy various levels of shelter on the other surrounding summits ranging from simple wind protection next to a peat hag to actually climbing inside the tomb on Seefin. But Corrig offers nothing except a small boundary marker block, and a bare metal post. It is the type of summit that one might just spend long enough at to log it on gps, take a snap and check the map before moving on. Even MV members seem to shun poor Corrig-of the four summits in the Seefin-Seahan circuit, Corrig is logged as having been climbed the least! Even though it would be handy at times to skirt Corrig on my traipse across these hills I never do. I always take the extra minutes to trudge up the bog to its summit. At least on a clear day the views are fantastic. If it’s not a clear day, and if the hail is driving into your face as the wind tries to knock you down-well I hope you get shelter somewhere! Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/247/comment/3600/

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Corrig

Climbed Corrig mountain from Seahan side with my nephew Conor.Parked at small car parking area SHan265 (O07136 19601) just off the L7462 road.Reached summit of Seahan H (O09052 19366) and proceeded roughly 1Km SE on well defined track to summit of corrig.Great views all around(Kilbride circuit).A round trip of about 1 hour taking it easy. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/247/comment/6511/

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eflanaga on Corrig Mountain

Climbed 10/02/07 as part of Seefingan Circuit (submitted by Djouce (see Walks Section). See Seefin & Seefingan for earlier stages of the walk. From the summit of Seefingan II (O08643 16966), I took a bearing of 16 degrees, necessary, as the mist enveloping the summits was getting ever heavier. The snow covering was also increasing and while, as was the case on my way to Seefingan, I was able to follow what appears to be a track (noticeable due to absence of any growth poking through the snow) I found it a bit of a slog at times, particularly, in the places where the snow reached knee height, mostly on the col. I also managed to find a couple of bog holes on this section of the walk but thankfully maintained enough balance on each occasion not to sink too deep into either. The ascent of Corrig’s southern slope was not overly difficult despite the snow, however, I found that my bearing took me, not to the summit but to a metal pole stuck in the ground a short distance below and east of the summit proper IJ (O09050 19373) which is marked by a small War Department marker (as seen in csd’s picture below). There are also a couple of poles, one with a Military warning sign close by. From here I took the necessary bearing to get me to the final summit of the circuit at Seahan. (see for final stage of walk). Unfortunately, no pictures available as I forgot to bring my camera! Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/247/comment/2613/

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csd on Corrig Mountain

Trudged up Corrig Mountain from Seefingan in the mist and rain with the sounds of the army doing firing practice in Kilbride to the left. There are a couple of sheep track type affairs from Seefingan to Corrig Mountain, so even in the mist navigation is fairly straightforward. Pic shows the War Department marker at the summit, marking the boundry of Kilbride rifle range. As you can see, the summit is a typical Wicklow Mountains job - round and boggy! Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/247/comment/695/

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