jackill on Knockmulanane

What a day! the old legs were certainly tested at times.I started at the Connor Pass and struck up the side of Slievanea following the track initially until it turns to the right. There are two tracks one marked by a line of intermittent white stones and one that follows the line of a sheep fence .At the top of the Mullaghanablagher cliffs is a small stone semicircle and from here its a short 450 mtrs to the grassy summit of Slievanea.For a touch of vertigo look down at Loch Doon from Slievanea's summit. From here I followed the cliffs around to Coumanare and a summit that is marked by a small pile of stones, look out over the valley of the Coumanare lakes from here and , as they say, wonder at the beauty of it all.
I turned around and headed back down towards the source of the river that drops away into Loch Iarthair, then over to the "pyramid" shaped summit of Croaghskearda and up the broad shoulder of Gowlane Beg to its stoney summit. Next it was on to the Windy Gap(yes it's windy) and a steep 130 mtrs climb to point 609 mtrs before reaching Banoge North. From Banoge North it's a two kilometer walk along a broad col to the summit of Knockmulanane.
I descended at Knockmulanane to the valley (very steep - be careful) and had my lunch at Loch Thuairin Mharta.I walked back along the valley to the Coumanare lakes along a stoney track that doesn't seem to have had much use of late. I climbed the north side of Gowlane Beg and struck back across the bog to meet the track, at A (Q495 052), that leads back to the Connor Pass.The photo was taken on Knockmulanane looking back along my route, behind(extreme right) you can see Gearhane Brandon Peak and Mount Brandon. 22 kms and 7.5 hours Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/288/comment/1715/

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GregFM on Knockmulanane

Climbed this mountain yesterday with a view to walking the ridge line back towards the Connair Pass. Started at the car park at Lough Annascaul but walked back along the road to avoid the cliffs above the car park. The ascent to the skyline was tough going to begin but got easier the higher I got up. However when I reached the ridge which is quite narrow and very steep with only grass I was hit by NW gales gusting 45 knots. As this was a solo trip the after doing the Brandon ridge I decided to descend and wait for a less windy day. The view are stunning though, across to the reeks and all of the mountains on the Iveragh penninsula. I could even see the Skelligs. I'll definitely be back to finish what I started. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/288/comment/2714/

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three5four0 on Knockmulanane

We Parked at AnScaul L (Q582 051) in the small car park by Lough Annascaul, there is a notice with a map, which has the route up Knockmulanane marked on it by the local walking club, which meets in Hanafins Pub in Annascaul (good place out for a pint & to find out info on the local hills). Study it closely as there is some steep ground to negotiate, suffice to say you level the track around B (Q576 057) by a small hut with a sign on it, and arc uphill by a minor re-entrant to the north of the 2 streams (& steep ground) marked on the map. You should end up at C (Q569 053), at an ill defined ridge leading steeply up hill, arriving just east of the summit.

From the summit we continued west over pt563 and descended into a high col before climbing up to Cnoc na Banogie.
(see Cnoc na Banogie for continuation) Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/288/comment/4164/

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evanewan on Knockmulanane

Parked the car at a small parking area beside Lough Annascaul D (Q582 052). Acended directly up a steep gulley immediately from parking point on a bearing directly for Cnoc Mhaoilionáin E (Q568 049). Gulley is steep, (ascending over 400 metres in less than 1 Km), but underfoot is mostly solid, though it gets a bit trickier in very wet conditions. From the top of the gulley continue on the same bearing with a further stiff climb to the summit. with good visibility there are excellent views of the Annascaul gorge, Beenoskee, Stradbally, Dromavalley, and over to Annascaul village and the coast. From here take a bearing heading westerly to 563 @ F (Q560 049) taking account of the cliffs to your right hand side. Continue on a westerly bearing to Cnoc an Bhánóg 641 @ G (Q548 048). You gradually descend into a col at about 500m and rise again to the summit. The views here open out even more to include Brandon bay and the majestic brandon range. You are positioned just east of the Windy Gap at this point and it is well named, so it may not be the best place to stop for tucker. You could at this point if time/transport permits push on westward to An Cnapán Mór and the Conor Pass, but we dropped off at this point to complete a loop circuit onto a bearing for 445 @ H (Q552 061). This route decsends quite comfortably, but becomes very boggy. From 445 take a bearing on 383 @ I (Q563 066). This section is very boggy and in wet weather may involve crossing several gushing streams. Great fun though ! From this point take a bearing North East until you pick up the way marked track. Follow this track until it becomes a narrow road and then all the way back to the cars at the lake. The views on the way back are excellent with waterfalls and gushing mountain streams everywhere, (assuming recent rain of course). There are bridges along the way, so there is no need to ford the river. All told a very satisfying walk, steep ascent, good views, good variety ,a gentle slope home, and of course good company helps! Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/288/comment/2617/

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Fairly level topped ridge

One interpretation of the Irish name is "flat-topped hill". This picture, taken from the north, would suggest that description is apt. Once you attain the ridge line, there is no significant effort required to summit the neighbouring top to the west. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/288/comment/23489/

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