{"id":2539,"date":"2026-08-06T17:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-08-06T16:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.farmersforum.ie\/trends\/?p=2539"},"modified":"2026-08-05T15:01:00","modified_gmt":"2026-08-05T14:01:00","slug":"rougher-than-the-devil%ca%bcs-ladder-and-half-as-busy-the-coumshingaun-ridge-in-waterford-is-september%ca%bcs-honest-climb","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.farmersforum.ie\/trends\/rougher-than-the-devil%ca%bcs-ladder-and-half-as-busy-the-coumshingaun-ridge-in-waterford-is-september%ca%bcs-honest-climb\/","title":{"rendered":"Rougher than the Devil\u02bcs Ladder and half as busy the Coumshingaun ridge in Waterford is September\u02bcs honest climb"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Comeragh<\/strong> Mountains don\u2019t whisper; they tell<\/strong> you exactly how the day will go. On the rim of Coumshingaun, the air<\/strong> tastes like slate and salt, and the path<\/strong> demands your attention. This is an honest<\/strong> climb for early autumn legs, a clean<\/strong> line on a high corrie where the lough below looks carved with a black<\/strong> chisel.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Why September Works<\/h2>\n

<\/p>\n

September in Waterford<\/strong> feels like a pact between weather and walker<\/strong>. The heather is spent<\/strong> but fragrant, the midges<\/strong> mostly gone, the Atlantic still mild<\/strong> yet less moody. \u201cYou get that clear<\/strong> light and shorter shadows<\/strong>, and everything feels closer<\/strong>,\u201d says a local ranger<\/strong> who swears by shoulder-season starts<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The days<\/strong> are long enough for an unhurried horseshoe<\/strong>, yet short enough to encourage purpose<\/strong>. You\u2019ll meet fewer boots<\/strong> on the ridge, and more wind<\/strong>, which is the better<\/strong> company here.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The Lough and Its Walls<\/h2>\n

<\/p>\n

Coumshingaun is a textbook<\/strong> corrie, a glacial scoop<\/strong> with edges that rise in basaltic<\/strong> seriousness. The water sits ink-dark<\/strong>, catching the weather<\/strong> like a signal mirror. On the rim, the ground<\/strong> frays into hummock and edge<\/strong>, and the drop to the lough<\/strong> is just steep enough to lock your stride<\/strong> into focus.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

To the south<\/strong>, the Copper Coast glitters<\/strong> on clear days; to the north<\/strong>, the Comeragh plateau rolls away in peat<\/strong> and sky. Ravens hinge<\/strong> on the thermals and laugh at your footwork<\/strong>, which is fair; they\u2019ve seen everything<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The Scramble\u2019s Character<\/h2>\n

<\/p>\n

Compared with Kerry\u2019s famed gully<\/strong>, this line is less a chute<\/strong> and more a jagged staircase<\/strong> stitched to the rim. It\u2019s grippier<\/strong>, with quartzite ribs<\/strong> and handy boulders that invite<\/strong> hands without insisting on them. Grade-one scrambling<\/strong> at most, but the exposure<\/strong> is honest, and the wind<\/strong> can shift from playful to petulant<\/strong> in a heartbeat.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\u201cTake it slow<\/strong>, three points of contact<\/strong>, and enjoy the stone<\/strong>,\u201d says a regular who treats the ridge<\/strong> like a weekly ritual<\/strong>. The rock is credible<\/strong> under boot, but loose chippings<\/strong> gather in the gaps<\/strong>; test before you trust<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Route Notes in Real Terms<\/h2>\n

<\/p>\n

Start from Kilclooney<\/strong> Wood, where the track<\/strong> noses you through trees and out to open moor<\/strong>. Aim for the north<\/strong> spur, following a blunt shoulder<\/strong> that suddenly becomes the<\/strong> view. The rim path cants<\/strong> right, then left<\/strong>, sketching a gentle horseshoe<\/strong> that feels anything but gentle<\/strong> when the gusts rise<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Time-wise, think 3\u20135<\/strong> hours depending on pace<\/strong>, photos, and how often you pause<\/strong> to listen to the wind<\/strong> tell old stories<\/strong>. Elevation sits around 600\u2013800<\/strong> meters of gain<\/strong>, with a distance close to 7\u20139<\/strong> kilometers if you close<\/strong> the loop.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Reading the Weather, Reading Yourself<\/h2>\n

<\/p>\n

Cloud can pour over the edge<\/strong> like cigarette smoke<\/strong>, quick and quiet<\/strong>. Navigation is simple<\/strong> in sun and suddenly serious<\/strong> in mist, especially on the plateau<\/strong> where lines feel duplicated<\/strong>. Bring a map<\/strong> and compass and the habit<\/strong> of using them before you need<\/strong> them.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Phone coverage is patchy<\/strong>; your best signal<\/strong> remains your own judgment<\/strong>. If the wind bites<\/strong>, take the lower<\/strong> lines; if the rock feels greasy<\/strong>, delay the drama<\/strong> for a drier day<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The Gift of Fewer Boots<\/h2>\n

<\/p>\n

This ridge is often quieter<\/strong>, not empty but civil<\/strong>, the way a good pub<\/strong> hums without shouting. You\u2019ll trade queues for eye-contact<\/strong> nods and the occasional chat<\/strong> about sheep, ravens<\/strong>, or distant rays<\/strong> punching through cloud<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

With that quiet comes responsibility<\/strong>. \u201cLeave it clean<\/strong>, take it slow<\/strong>, keep it kind<\/strong>,\u201d says a note tucked under a stone<\/strong> near the car park<\/strong>. It\u2019s folk<\/strong> wisdom, and it works.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

What to Bring, What to Leave<\/h2>\n

<\/p>\n

Pack light but smart<\/strong>, and remember the ridge makes decisions<\/strong> for you if you don\u2019t make them first<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

    <\/p>\n
  • Waterproofs, even in sun<\/strong>, plus a warm layer<\/strong><\/li>\n

    <\/p>\n

  • Grippy boots, not fashion<\/strong>, with real soles<\/strong><\/li>\n

    <\/p>\n

  • Map and compass<\/strong>, and the skill to marry<\/strong> them<\/li>\n

    <\/p>\n

  • Water, simple food<\/strong>, and a spare something<\/strong><\/li>\n

    <\/p>\n

  • A headtorch, because sunset races<\/strong> can end in shadow<\/strong><\/li>\n

    \n<\/ul>\n

    <\/p>\n

    Small Moments, Big Memory<\/h2>\n

    <\/p>\n

    There\u2019s a bend where the lough<\/strong> drops out of view and the sea<\/strong> walks into the frame<\/strong>. There\u2019s a quiet patch of bog<\/strong> cotton still holding a few threads<\/strong>, and a quartz vein<\/strong> bright as a held breath<\/strong>. These are the reasons<\/strong> you came, and they arrive without announcement<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    <\/p>\n

    On descent, the forest smell<\/strong> returns\u2014wet bark<\/strong>, late fern<\/strong>, the day’s salt<\/strong> brushed from your skin<\/strong>. Your legs feel used<\/strong>, not spent; your mind lighter<\/strong>, not empty<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    <\/p>\n

    Make It Your September<\/h2>\n

    <\/p>\n

    Pick a morning<\/strong> when the forecast is more promise<\/strong> than threat. Go early, step carefully<\/strong>, and listen for the little click<\/strong> when your stride and the ridge<\/strong> fall into rhythm<\/strong>. The Comeraghs will meet you halfway<\/strong> if you show up honestly<\/strong> and move with intent<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    <\/p>\n

    \u201cGo well<\/strong>, come back better<\/strong>,\u201d an old climber once said<\/strong>, tightening a battered gaiter<\/strong>. Up here, with wind in your ears<\/strong> and stone under your hands<\/strong>, that sounds perfectly reasonable<\/strong>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2551,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2539","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\/2539","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=2539"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.farmersforum.ie\/trends\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2539\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2546,"href":"https:\/\/www.farmersforum.ie\/trends\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2539\/revisions\/2546"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.farmersforum.ie\/trends\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2551"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.farmersforum.ie\/trends\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2539"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.farmersforum.ie\/trends\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2539"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.farmersforum.ie\/trends\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2539"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}