Don't trust the Bull!

This route is only suitable for a small group, one that fits into one car, as there is little suitable parking on this minor road, which has several small farms along it. For large groups access to these hills would be more suitable from where the Kerry Way crosses Knockavahaun and then along the ridge to Foilclogh from there.

Leave the N70 at A (V475 726) and follow the minor road, turning left at B (V501 728). When you come to a set of green gates, your at the end of the public road. There is a very small area, by a field entrance in which you can squeeze a car. Go through the green gates and call at the house and ask if its ok to park your car there and for permission to use their track. They were very friendly and helpful, when we called a few weeks ago, with the only warning being about their Bull. The farmers wife saying she wouldn't trust it at all!

So off we set, with the farmers dogs following us up the track (tried to come home with us too!). The track swings round the side of the house then towards some sheds, it is here the up hill track branches left. Go through a gate and your in the field with the Bull, and come to think of it another good reason to chose the ridge ascent option. I kept my eyes on the bull, who was lying beside some cows in the middle of the field. I stopped to tie the lace on my boot, looked up and the Bull was standing in the middle of the track! Decided discretion was a better option, hopped over the fence and past the Bull with the fence between us. Hopped back over once I was a safe distance up the field (where the track starts a switch back) All the time keeping an eye on the Bull which appeared to be keeping an eye on me to.

The track crosses the slope towards the fence on the opposite side of the field follows up hill a short distance, then starts to degrade, as it runs along the fence at the top of the field. Here there is a small metal gate in the fence. Go through this and strike up hill to the summit (crossing a fence just before the summit). The summit area has a round depressed area, which could be a sign of a collapsed Burial Cairn. So I wouldn't jump up and down there.

From the summit, sadly with no views due to the mist, I followed the fence into the col with Beenduff and climbed the short slope to its summit.

See Beenduff for continuation. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/466/comment/6555/

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Lovely views ..... average hike

Foilclogh is quite a central hill towards the Southern half of the Iveragh peninsula so the views at the top are fantastic. The summit itself however is a bland elevated hump and the hike up is not overly exciting. There is room to park at a forest entrance at on the North side of the hill at C (V49090 75506) but note that the forest itself does not provide access to the open hillside. Follow the road East and you will encounter a sheep pen which will get you onto the open ground. The ground here is initially quite wet and as I found out on the way back it's possibly better to head further East to access the spur running up the hill as the terrain here is much drier. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/466/comment/20549/

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