[RWD version 1 ] Some years ago we started walking from the car park as shown. And stopped. Just as we were about to leave sight of our car, another old car pulled up with at least three young fellas hanging out the windows. You could feel the aggro. After some quick risk analysis we returned to the car and drove off. We still reckon we did the right thing.
Ascending more smoothly this time from the same place we headed up to Nowen Hill, crowned as it is with various pieces of telecom equipment, a sure sign of good views.
From the top these views include the Maughancleas to the north.
Through the summer haze we could see the high ground of the Mizen and Sheepshead peninsulas.
There are various ways to reach Nowen West - the route shown went along the east side of the forest to the south of Nowen Hill which was faster than the route taken by some of our party who went through the trees. Your mileage may vary.
Of more immediate interest was this view of Nowen Far Hill West Top. Like so many of the smaller, less photogenic, hills of Cork the wind potential of this hill has outweighed its tourist potential.

The route to Mullaghmesha is made easier by a waymarked way called variously the Slí Bharra, Mullaghmesha Loop with also a sign for The Sheeps Head Way. We descended partly using this route to where we had parked for the end walk.


Note. The road you can just see to the left of the picture is single track, extremely steep and without much in the way of parking if that's what you thought you would like to try.
Overall a satisfying walk though hardly virgin wilderness.