Access Issue for track into Lough Reagh in the Black Valley

It has come to my attention of an access issue in the Black Valley on the Iveragh Peninsula. This affects Route 16: Gearhameen Circuit in the Killarney to Valentia Island - The Iveragh Peninsula guidebook and Walk 16: High-level Circuit of the Gearhameen Valley in The Dingle, Iveragh & Beara Peninsulas. For more information on these guidebooks and special offers, visit the online bookshop here.

Landowners have unfortunately closed off access at the start of the route ( L Reagh N (V821 813) D) that follows a trail leading southwest that meanders around the edge of Lough Reagh.

As a result of this, please consider the following alternative - more information here: www.adrianhendroff.com/access-issue-in-the-black Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/55/comment/20882/

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Point 776 (Stumpa Duloigh)

Captain Vertigo and I have posted tracks separated by only a few days, covering similar ground and centred around Stumpa Duloigh. My track (3080) took an anti-clockwise direction while the Captain (3108) proceeded clockwise. Consequently we approached Stumpa Duloigh, and most significantly point 776 (D (V78796 79545)) immediately north of the summit, from different directions, with me ascending and Captain Vertigo descending. For the Captain, point 766 was very much the crux of the route (leaving out the ascent of Mothaillin…). In my case, on reaching E (V78722 79635), where the Stumpa Duloigh ridge meets the rise to point 776, I faced some infeasibly steep ground which was horribly exposed to the 300m plunge into Lough Duff. However, having the benefit of sight lines, I was able to detour west onto less steep ground around the obstacle. What remains is still steep, but without the sheer horror of the direct line. Approaching from point 766, without a clear view of the obstacle, the Captain faced descending onto this steep ground blind and from above – not a nice thought.

A couple of messages here; firstly it is probably safer to take in point 776 from the north; as Captain Vertigo has shown eloquently, a descent to the north is not for the faint hearted – whereas my experience from the other direction, was steep but unremarkable in the context of these amazing hills. And secondly, whichever direction you are approaching from it is best to keep more west of the line from 776 to the col to avoid the very steep ground at E (V78722 79635). Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/55/comment/18306/

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kevin dockery on Stumpa Dúloigh

On Fri.14/11/08 I parked at a bridge approx 400mts. north of Lough Reagh in the Black Valley. I followed a rough track to the edge of the lake and then started the steep ascent to Broaghnabinnia (745metres).Weather conditions were very poor with wind,light rain and mist despite the fact that the forecast was very good for the day.I descended with care in a south west direction to a gap before the steep ascent of Stumpa Duloigh.From the summit i followed a fence in a south west direction to a gap before the easy ascent to Stumpa West Top (663mts).I retraced my steps back to Stumpa Duloigh.At this stage there was no more climbing involved for the rest of the walk.I estimate that the total height climbed from the start was 4,200 feet.My aim was to proceed along the south east shoulder of Stumpa Duloigh for approx 1 km. before veering north east down the steep slopes towards Lough Reagh.Throughout the day I frequently consulted my map and compass because of the foul weather.I descended the steep slopes alright but unfortunately ended up in the wrong valley between Knocklomena and Stumpa which was a bit of a shock to me.Luckily i knew where i was as Lough Brin was only 1 mile to the west so I didn't panic.I was faced with a 15 mile road walk in the dark back to the Black Valley.At stage it was dusk but I had a torch,food and water with me. This narrow deserted road followed the Owenreagh River for approx 8 miles.Fortunately after walking 7 miles on the road I got a lift from 2 kind and considerate residents of the valley.They insisted on treating me to tea and sandwiches in their home and drove me back to my car.My advice is to leave Stumpa and the other summits mentioned for a dry clear day.Leaving out the road walking I found this to be a very interesting and tough walk. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/55/comment/3438/

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Challenging Walk in Glorious Backcountry

Followed Adrian Hendroff's suggested route per his excellent 'The Dingle, Iveragh & Beara Peninsulas' from the end of the Black Valley. We parked at F (V812 821) on the obvious layby just beyond the bridge. Crossed back over the bridge passing through the gate on the RHS and following the track through a gated sheep pen to the side of Loch Riabhach/Roisín Lake. The track brings you to the remains of a very early Christian settlement along with an Ogham stone. Departing somewhat from Adrian's route, we struck off up the northern valley from this point and contoured along the southern slopes of Bruach na Binne, traversing the rough ground until we reached the col at Bearna Seilg, the Gap of the Hunt. No eagles on this occasion, we struck off left along the ridge. Very slow going until this point due to rough ground and rock benches on the initial kilometer or so of the ridge. The ridge narrows giving fantastic views down into the Braighde Valley, across to Corrán Tuathail and down back along the Black Valley to the Purple Mountain, Torc and the Plains beyond. Further along this axis, the distant Galtees were clearly visible on the day as well as Mount Hillary near Mallow and the faint outline of the Knockmealdowns. I thought I could make out Slievenamon just to the right of the Galtees, but this may have been wishful thinking! The ridge brings one to the narrow col just before the very steep and dangerous looking stretch to the first summit. Mindful of the 2002 tragedy, we avoided this by following the sheep path slightly to the right and then circling around from the back. Still a bit steep and slightly exposed but presumably a lot safer than a straight ascent. The first and most obvious summit though not actually the high point is the more satisfying vantage point and here also lies the plaque to the unfortunate walkers. From this point it is a simple walk across to the real summit. We returned by Cnoc na Bríde following Adrian's instructions. Glorious country. For experienced hill walkers only. Six hours overall. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/55/comment/14858/

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Great Summit, remote, not busy

Climbed Stumpa Dulaigh on a Saturday, August 2019. Parked as described at B and did the anti clockwise circuit. Didn't do Broaghnabinnia or Knocknabreeda. Starting off getting up out of the valley was the toughest. It got easier from the col with Broaghnabinnia along the ridge, maybe we were just warmed up. The climb up to where the memorial plaque is was steep but as descibed, going left, it wasn't particularly dangerous. Great views of the reeks from the summit, and to the east, but the clouds were gathering from the west. Returning around the south was easy going at first but got tougher and wetter. We decided to descend from the col just before Knocknabreeda, initially was OK but got very steep and trisky to negotiate around some of the crags. We didn't meet anyone else on the mountain, only the farmer at the end by Lough Reagh Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/55/comment/20645/

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