The Knocknabros West, North-East and East are relatively rarely visited in comparison to the more exciting options available nearby: the twin peaks of The Paps across the valley and Crohane a bit further up the road for instance, not to mention the other well known mountains in the greater Killarney area.
Why do the Knocknabros? To tick boxes, basically. Peak-baggers – those doing their Local 100 and the like – will have to include them in their list and approach them more out of a feeling of Getting Them Done than of any expectation of a memorable and pleasant hike, a place to visit once and never again.
Four of us set forth on a cold and frosty February morning with Track 3039, an 8km round trip taking in the West, North-East and East Knocknabros loaded on to our GPS devices.
The ascent to Knocknabro West was easy and the views across to The Paps and the broader countryside were magnificent on this sunny, calm day.
The summit of Knocknabro West – like the other Knocknabros – is unmarked by any trig-point or cairn, just a flat mound of grass. From there we made our way to the North-East and East Tops. It was easy walking – conditions underfoot were good with none of the wet and boggy terrain reported by others. It would presumably be another story after a period of heavy rain.
The most difficult part of the route was the way back to the higher ground after leaving East Top. The heather here was higher and thicker than on the other sections and there were numerous bog holes hidden in the undergrowth. It was a slow slog.
Another problem on the descent back to the valley was that a few fences – some with barbed-wire – had to be negotiated. Stiles were absent (not unexpectedly given that this is not a much-visited area) and so it took some undignified manoeuvring – especially for those of us not in the first blush of youth – to get over them. A helping hand or shoulder proved very welcome in that regard. Beware if you are doing it solo.
We were surprised at how pleasant the overall trek was: great weather conditions, superb views and easy walking for the most part. There are other hills that I would have no desire ever again to visit but not the Knocknabros. They deserve a bit more love than they have received.
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