Repeating Farmer's request re. parking for Carran

Despite us having read previous comments on MV in relation to Carran and parking - we STILL parked at "the corner" at C (W04199 68795). We are embarassed. We THOUGHT we had parked responsibly (see photo) and that we presented no obstacle for any other vehicle to travel onwards on either of the two possible lanes. Wrong. Later as we descended we met the farmer (Patsy) on his quad and we stopped for a chat. He positively confirmed that he was happy for responsible people to walk his land which covers lots of the Carrans BUT asked that no one park at the corner C (W04199 68795) since this prevents feed delivery trucks completing the last few hundred metres into his yard (same as other MV contributors have already noted some years ago). We apologised profusely. Patsy said we would be more than welcome to park in his yard any time we revisit so we wish to pass this request on again and save that man any further grief. To reach his yard entrance at Kn'Uha (W04267 68881) simply turn left and travel a few hundred metres. We have uploaded .gpx 5162 in relation to this lovely easy circuit of Carran. The initial old tracks afforded easy climbing to 400m. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/262/comment/24274/

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Don't park on the corner

If you are approaching from the west (road south of Knockanuha) please do not park on the corner at C (W04199 68795) (junction of road and track), the farmer(who likes walkers) has told me that people park there and delivery trucks can't get up the road and on occasion he's had to follow walkers up the mountain to get the keys to move their car: please park in the farm yard of the first little cottage.
Carran itself is best approached from the south west, south (Carran South) or North East (along the ridge). It offers good views in most directions and is certainly a wild and remote spot to enjoy a well earned sambo and a cuppa. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/262/comment/14933/

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Unsung Quartet

I am amazed so few mountainviewers have climbed the Carran Group of 4! The last day of January brought snow cladded tops, sunny spells and the odd snow storm to make for a great day out. Similar to other comments start at Kn'Uha (W0432 6888). This is just beyond the end of the yellow road on OS map. If you can ask the farmer, who I had a nice chat with, where to park. You need to park so that trucks can turn in these lanes, so he is happy is you park in his yard. Access to the hills no problem but a few walkers have told him where to go when he has met them and simply asked who they were (Dept. Of Agriculture inspectors often arrive unannounced). Walk into the valley using the track indicated on OS map starting at D (W045 690)- you pass through a gate followed by another further on. Followed the track to the end then climb Carran Far N. Top and continue on to the other 3 peaks- there are two fences between Far N Top and NE top- one with barbed wire. The views of the snow coverd Paps, Reeks, Dunkerrons and Mangerton were fabulous. This is a wet boggy area. On the descent start down from Curran S Top aiming for E (W043 672). The track outlined on OS does not become obvious for nearly a km until F (W042 678) when a steep descent can be done following a maze of tracks to abandoned houses at G (W042 682). Go just beyond these on the track but turn right into a field to pick up a track which runs along the mountain at 240m contour. The track is not clear but aim for old sheds at H (W047 686) then follow track across a stream which becomes a farm track to bring you back to the start. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/262/comment/17831/

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simon3 on Carran

At just over the 600m mark Carran has good views of Knockboy and the fine ridge that extends north from there, through the Knocknamanaghs and Gullaba Hill.

Carran itself has a gently descending ridge extending North-East through Carran NE Top which has prevented it from having the customary NE Coum so prevalent on summits in Ireland. However there is some steepening immediately north of Carran at some cliffs called Foilduff.

Our photo shows the huge cairn and view towards Gullaba Hill and the round topped but extremely steep sided Bird Hill, both on the other side of the Slaheny River. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/262/comment/2264/

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Carran 5-hills?

The reliable osulivanm describes the country lane to the farm below Knockanuha as "delightful". Sadly, on the day we made the trip they were auditioning for “Fast and Furious 23-Kerry drift” and a series of Jason Statham wannabes were clearly in a hurry to get to the fleshpots of Kenmare. Nerves shredded, we arrived at the corner where everyone says "don't park". I tried to find a farmer to no avail, but did meet the intimidating hounds- making me reassess my views on rewilding with wolves. We parked as responsibly as we could, and set off on the well described tail to the left of the final farm, the howls of dogs ringing across the valley. I was accompanied by Scottish pal "Points"- a giant of a man with the countenance of a puritan minister and the gait of a highland constable. I scurried along beside him as often before. Our outward route was that described by many, over Far North Top, then down to a lovely col that marks the watershed of the Roughty and a feed brook of the Slaheny rivers. With clear views and good sunshine, this was enough to soften the spirits of my more dour colleague. West of the NE top we took lunch admiring fabulous views of distant reeks etc. Every hillwalker needs a lunch like this, where you enjoy summer sun, long daylight and share reminiscences of lucky escapes, Scottish winters, and the times when we drove Datsuns like the locals. The route to Carran itself was a boggy shock but soon complete. Akin to millenials confronted by food, we took our photos. Points reversed the route, I pressed on to the South Top guided by a fence. The final lonely summit was difficult to discern, I tested both bumps then followed the fence back to the col. The East side was slightly drier on this day. At the col I followed an ancient dyke N for 100m to about the 550m contour, then a sheep trail NE delivered me to the col between Carran and NE top. The visibility being perfect and aware of the cliffs to the left, I combined animal trails on solid broad ground, to bypass the NE top on its NW flank, and similarly an animal trail allowed me to avoid the summit of the "Far NE Top" to join the fence heading NW. With my usual elegance I managed to get over this without hooking my boots more than twice, then dropped to the col where I rejoined my colleague. We descended the boggy ground to regain the farm trail back to the car. I had consumed 2L of water which says something about a day with less than 600m ascent. There were no irate farmers awaiting us as we got changed, but I'd have liked to thank them for their enlightened attitude. We drove cautiously to Kilgarvan, paid homage to their idols, and reflected on a gentle day that delivered more than expected. Whilst perfectly easy, I would only recommend my return variation for a day of fine visibility and to those confident of their route finding on steep ground, should hill fog gather it could be a different story-unless of course you really are Jason Statham. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/262/comment/24029/

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