{"id":1865,"date":"2026-06-27T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-06-27T07:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.farmersforum.ie\/trends\/?p=1865"},"modified":"2026-06-26T14:43:22","modified_gmt":"2026-06-26T13:43:22","slug":"wilder-than-mount-brandon-and-far-emptier-than-lugnaquilla-this-comeragh-ridge-walk-is-july%ca%bcs-standout-hike","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.farmersforum.ie\/trends\/wilder-than-mount-brandon-and-far-emptier-than-lugnaquilla-this-comeragh-ridge-walk-is-july%ca%bcs-standout-hike\/","title":{"rendered":"Wilder than Mount Brandon and far emptier than Lugnaquilla this Comeragh ridge walk is July\u02bcs standout hike"},"content":{"rendered":"

A high, wind-kissed plateau, dark corrie lakes, and cliffs that fall away into silence<\/strong> \u2014 this Waterford ridge has a wild<\/strong> pull that sneaks up on you. Long July light smooths the day\u2019s edges, the heather<\/strong> hums with insects, and the granite rims<\/strong> glow at dusk. \u201cYou walk out and the world<\/strong> feels wider,\u201d said a local hiker, \u201cand the crowds<\/strong> feel miles away.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Where it is and why it grips<\/h2>\n

<\/p>\n

The Comeragh Mountains sit in County<\/strong> Waterford, a compact massif of granite<\/strong> carved into a necklace of steep corries. Names like Coumshingaun<\/strong>, Mahon Falls, and the Nire echo through Irish walking<\/strong> lore, yet the hills keep a quiet<\/strong> profile. What makes them special<\/strong> is the combination of dramatic edges<\/strong> and a broad, empty plateau<\/strong> that lets you string together a true ridge<\/strong> day.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

On a clear day<\/strong>, sea light slides in from the Copper<\/strong> Coast while the Suir valley opens to the north<\/strong>. The rock is grippy, the ground often springy<\/strong>, and the lines of travel<\/strong> are drawn by cliffs and lakes<\/strong> that pull you onwards.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The ridge in a single breath<\/h2>\n

<\/p>\n

The finest long outing traces the corrie rims<\/strong> from Mahon Falls toward the high<\/strong> point at Fauscoum and on toward Coumshingaun<\/strong>. With a car shuttle<\/strong>, you can push on to Knockanaffrin Ridge and descend into the Nire<\/strong>. Without one, you can loop back by broad<\/strong> spurs that keep the day pure<\/strong> and wild.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

From the Mahon Falls car<\/strong> park, climb west to the rim, then arc across the northern edges<\/strong> of the plateau. Keep the corries to your left<\/strong> and the sea to your right<\/strong>, weaving past peat hags<\/strong> and quartz-speckled granite<\/strong>. Fauscoum, at around 792 m, is the high bump<\/strong>, but the magic is the continuity<\/strong> \u2014 cliff, lake, sky<\/strong>, repeat.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Skirt the black mirror of Coumshingaun<\/strong> from above, a natural amphitheatre<\/strong> that feels both ancient<\/strong> and intimate. From here, either descend via the horseshoe<\/strong> path to your start or continue north for the long pull<\/strong> to Knockanaffrin and the Nire<\/strong> trailhead. Distances vary with choices<\/strong>, but think a solid 18\u201324 km, 900\u20131,200 m of ascent<\/strong>, and 7\u20139 hours for a confident<\/strong> party.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\u201cYou get that knife-edge<\/strong> feeling without actual exposure<\/strong>,\u201d as one regular put it. \u201cCliffs to your left<\/strong>, freedom to your right<\/strong>, and a sky that feels huge<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Why July sings<\/h2>\n

<\/p>\n

July gifts the ridge time<\/strong>. Long daylight widens your options<\/strong>, and the ground often runs drier<\/strong> after early-summer rain. Heather and bog<\/strong> cotton nod under breezes<\/strong>, and larks spiral up like little prayers<\/strong>. Temperatures are kind<\/strong>, yet Atlantic weather never fully settles<\/strong>. Expect sun, cloud, and a quick, cool<\/strong> shower in one hour<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

In mist, the plateau becomes deceptively featureless<\/strong>, so treat navigation as a craft<\/strong>, not an afterthought. A breeze that feels pleasant<\/strong> on the rim can stiffen into a bully<\/strong> if you linger on edges<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

At-a-glance essentials<\/h2>\n

<\/p>\n

    <\/p>\n
  • Start: Mahon Falls car park<\/strong>; Finish: Coumshingaun or the Nire<\/strong> (with shuttle), or loop back to start<\/strong> <\/li>\n

    <\/p>\n

  • Distance\/time: 18\u201324 km, 7\u20139 hours<\/strong>, depending on link-ups and fitness<\/strong> <\/li>\n

    <\/p>\n

  • Terrain: trackless plateau<\/strong>, cliff rims, peaty sections<\/strong>, short rocky steps<\/strong> <\/li>\n

    <\/p>\n

  • Navigation: map, compass, and a GPX<\/strong> are wise; don\u2019t rely on signal<\/strong> <\/li>\n

    <\/p>\n

  • Map: OSI Discovery Series for Waterford<\/strong>; 1:25k or 1:50k is ideal<\/strong> <\/li>\n

    <\/p>\n

  • Grade: strenuous for experienced hillwalkers<\/strong> with strong stamina<\/strong> <\/li>\n

    <\/p>\n

  • Transport: limited public options<\/strong>; taxis possible; car shuttle<\/strong> best <\/li>\n

    <\/p>\n

  • Weather: check Met \u00c9ireann; bring warm layers<\/strong>, waterproofs, and sun protection<\/strong><\/li>\n

    \n<\/ul>\n

    <\/p>\n

    Safety, access, and good form<\/h2>\n

    <\/p>\n

    Cliffs here are as real<\/strong> as they look, and the grass can be slick<\/strong> after showers. Keep a respectful buffer<\/strong> on the rims, especially in mist<\/strong>. Summer cornices are generally gone<\/strong>, but cornice remains can linger in odd pockets<\/strong> \u2014 treat edges with doubt<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    <\/p>\n

    Gates and fences mean working farms<\/strong>; close what you open<\/strong>. Keep dogs on short leads<\/strong>, or leave them home<\/strong> in lambing or nesting seasons<\/strong>. Pack steady calories<\/strong>, plenty of water<\/strong>, and a warm layer that feels excessive<\/strong> at the car and perfect on the summit<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    <\/p>\n

    Moments to savour<\/h2>\n

    <\/p>\n

    Watch how the corrie lakes turn from ink<\/strong> to steel to silver<\/strong> as the sun swings<\/strong>. Listen for skylarks and occasionally a kestrel<\/strong> or peregrine tracing the cliffs<\/strong>. On especially clear days<\/strong>, the sea draws a fine line<\/strong> on the southern horizon<\/strong> and the Suir valley lies like a map<\/strong> to the north.<\/p>\n

    <\/p>\n

    Pause above Coumshingaun<\/strong> and let the amphitheatre hold<\/strong> you for a minute. If you linger till late, the coppery light<\/strong> from the coast can make the granite<\/strong> bloom. \u201cIt\u2019s the kind of quiet<\/strong> that resets your head<\/strong>,\u201d a friend once said, still brushing heather<\/strong> from her gaiters.<\/p>\n

    <\/p>\n

    Alternatives and shortcuts<\/h2>\n

    <\/p>\n

    If you want shorter with equal drama<\/strong>, do the Coumshingaun<\/strong> horseshoe \u2014 a tight loop of 7\u20138 km that keeps you on the rim<\/strong> nearly the whole way<\/strong>. For a north-end flavour<\/strong>, hike the Knockanaffrin Ridge<\/strong> from the Nire and back: open views<\/strong>, simple lines, and the same beautiful emptiness<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    <\/p>\n

    Pick a clear forecast<\/strong>, rise early, and step onto the plateau<\/strong> while the day is still young<\/strong>. With space, light, and cliff-edge rhythm<\/strong>, this Waterford ridge turns July into something memorable<\/strong>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1897,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1865","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","generate-columns","tablet-grid-50","mobile-grid-100","grid-parent","grid-50"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.farmersforum.ie\/trends\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1865","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.farmersforum.ie\/trends\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.farmersforum.ie\/trends\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.farmersforum.ie\/trends\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.farmersforum.ie\/trends\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1865"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.farmersforum.ie\/trends\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1865\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1882,"href":"https:\/\/www.farmersforum.ie\/trends\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1865\/revisions\/1882"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.farmersforum.ie\/trends\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1897"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.farmersforum.ie\/trends\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1865"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.farmersforum.ie\/trends\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1865"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.farmersforum.ie\/trends\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1865"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}