1st day of Summer

Mullaghcleevaun. I can see it from my house, but it doesn't pose any major threat. However, it is the 2nd highest peak in Wicklow, and I can see it from my house. Subject to all seasons on any given day, it is a beastly looking summit that casts a shadow over all of West Wicklow, and I've had my eye on it for some time. There is often a completely different weather system in effect up there, and it will definitely hold on to snow for much longer than the minnows in its kingdom. Yesterday, I slowly awoke from a good slumber to a beautiful looking day. Following a brief conference call in relation to the release of the MAGGY SIMPSON album, and realising there'd be no immediate movement on that, I decided I would put this great looking hill to bed.

There are a number of ways to tackle this mountain and I have been close to it before, on one of many trips to Black Hill. So, Black Hill was always going to be my launch pad. It's a nice easy 2km trek up from the Black Hill car park at the Ballynultagh Gap: broad, rocky, sandy pathway with a two-step gradual ascent. Even from this height (602m) you can get great 360 views ranging from Dublin to Laois. This hill is fairly featureless, but a great initiator for new hillwalkers and / or a great gateway to bigger and better things.

Mullaghcleevaun as viewed from Black Hill

Though I was unable to capture a suitably clear image, there were several adrenalin junkies working the airspace between Black Hill and Sorrel Hill, too. Some kind of base jumping to the best of my knowledge. Needless to say, it can get quite gusty in these parts and so perfect for this sport.

'cleevaun lies approximately 3km SE of Black Hill, and there is a bog path of sorts that will take you all the way to the top. Visibility provided no obstacle on the day, so no requirement for maps or compasses other than for security. As I said, things can change quickly at 849m. Only a small amount of peat hag scrambling is necessary at the foot of the mountain, but the summit can be reached with relative ease for someone of above average fitness (see below for my completely unofficial grading system!)

The peak itself is very broad and flat, with a number of excellent views available across the entire Wicklow / Dublin Mountains range, along with plenty of rest-stop options. I'd recommend going further onto Mullaghcleevaun East Top (also known as Stony Top) for lunch, though. Slightly better views, and as the name suggests, many more stones to choose from: some table shaped! Just be prepared to face the effects of over-farming peat. There are vast 'seas' of open bog of unknown depth, and very few hags to use as 'buoys'. Plan ahead, stay ashore and choose a route around these.

Blessington Lake as viewed from Mullaghcleevaun. Also looking down on Moanbane to the left, and Black Hill to the right

Lunch stop at Stony Top (Mullaghcleevaun East)

Looking back to Mullaghcleevaun from the East Top. Heavy scarring visible on the ridge between, and to the left of the summit

I took in the second 'top' at the East Top en route back to the Lough that sits beneath Mullaghcleevaun, before taking a straight bearing (yup, made use of the compass after all) back down into Ballynultagh Woods. The final few kms of my day were spent on typical forest trails and a short climb back up the road to the Black Hill car park, though there are any number of tracks that return you to the point of origin.

Mullaghcleevaun Lough

Distance: 16.46km
Highest Elevation: 849m
Climb: 453m
Duration: 5.5hrs inc. Lunch
Fitness Level: Slightly above average!