Mangerton Mountain
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V9880 : Mangerton Mountain summit
Colin Park Photo source
Overview
Mangerton Mountain is an 838.2 m mountain south of Killarney in County Kerry. The broad, boggy summit plateau rises above Devil’s Punchbowl and Horses Glen. A summit return and a more demanding glen circuit require different levels of mountain experience.
Mangerton Mountain
Overview
Mangerton Mountain rises to 838.2 m south of Killarney in County Kerry. Its broad plateau is cut by the Devil’s Punchbowl corrie and Horses Glen. Only part of the mountain lies within Killarney National Park. The recorded prominence is 583 m.
Summit and terrain
The true summit is a cairn by a trig point at V980807, with the precise catalogue grid V 98034 80784. Reaching the Punchbowl lake or a cairn on its rim does not establish that the summit has been reached. Stony approaches give way to wet, boggy plateau ground, with steep drops around the corries. Map-and-compass navigation is needed in poor visibility.
Geology
The wider South Kerry mountains are predominantly underlain by Devonian Old Red Sandstone. Geological Survey Ireland also records small granite and other intrusive-rock pockets along Mangerton and Stoompa. The glacial corries and wet peat-covered plateau are important features of the landscape; a precise rock formation at the summit cairn is not asserted here.
Routes
The route entries distinguish a summit out-and-back via the western side of Devil’s Punchbowl from the harder Horses Glen circuit. Both return to the Gortagullane start. The first is an explicit return adaptation of the published ascent; no total distance, ascent or duration is assigned. The circuit includes steep descent and lakeside scrambling. Its source’s roughly five-hour estimate assumes brisk walking and short breaks, so plan extra time for a slower party. Neither route is a Stoompa extension. Use a current map and plan the complete return before setting out.
Access and facilities
Limited roadside parking is described near the Finoulagh River at Gortagullane. Keep gates and the road clear, follow local notices and respect landowners; publication of a route is not permission to enter land. Killarney is the nearby town for supplies and rail connections. Arrange onward travel to the start separately. Carry food and water; trailhead toilets and a direct public-transport connection have not been verified.
Safety
Poor visibility, wind, wet rock, bog and steep corrie margins require care. The Horses Glen circuit is for experienced mountain walkers comfortable with route finding and scrambling. Snow, ice and shorter winter daylight make the terrain more serious. Carry suitable mountain clothing, a map and compass, a torch and emergency equipment, and tell someone your route and expected return. In an emergency call 999 or 112 and request mountain rescue.
Name and history
The Irish name is An Mhangarta. Paul Tempan gives a possible interpretation referring to long hair and suggests an alternative connection with quaking or movement, perhaps of bog; the derivation is not settled. Tooreencormick on the northern slopes is associated with the 1262 battle between MacCarthy and Geraldine forces and the death of Cormac MacCarthy. This was a separate encounter from the 1261 battle at Callan Glen near Kilgarvan.
Views and nearby hills
Clear weather brings views towards the Killarney lakes, MacGillycuddy’s Reeks, Horses Glen and Kenmare Bay. Nearby summits include Mangerton North Top (784 m), Stoompa (706 m) and Torc Mountain (534.8 m). Conditions determine what is visible.
Explore routes near Mangerton Mountain
Walks starting near this hill. Open a route to check its map, distance and full itinerary.
Route planning notes
These notes describe possible approaches. Check a route's map and access information when planning your walk.
Mangerton via Devil’s Punchbowl (out and back)
From the small Gortagullane parking area near V984849, cross the stream and follow the stony mountain path to the northwestern outlet of Devil’s Punchbowl. Climb the western side of the corrie to the broad plateau and locate the actual cairn by the trig point at V980807. Return by the same western-side line to the lake outlet, then retrace the approach to the original parking area. This return version uses the summit approach described by Selected Munster Hillwalks and reverses it instead of entering Horses Glen. The lake and the cairns beside its rim are below the true summit. Expect boggy ground, steep slopes and difficult navigation in cloud; keep clear of corrie edges. No verified total distance, ascent or time is assigned to this adaptation.
Mangerton and Horses Glen circuit
Start and finish at Gortagullane near V984849. Follow the Devil’s Punchbowl approach, climb its western side and visit the main summit at V980807. Continue over Mangerton North Top, follow its eastern ridge and descend steeply southeast towards Lough Erhogh. Turn north through Horses Glen, negotiating rough lakeside scrambling beside Lough Managh and Lough Garagarry. Cross the marshy ground northwest to rejoin the outward track and retrace it to the start. Selected Munster Hillwalks estimates about five hours at a brisk pace, including roughly 30 minutes of breaks; slower groups need longer. It gives no total distance or ascent. This is a demanding, poorly defined mountain circuit for experienced navigators, with a particularly serious wet descent; it is separate from a Punchbowl-only walk or a Stoompa extension.
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V9880 : Mangerton Mountain summit
Colin Park
Hill facts and local notes
Classifications
Elevation
838m
2,750 ft
Prominence
583m
Coordinates
51.9703, -9.4844
V980807
OS Map
78
At the Summit
The true summit is a cairn by a trig point at V980807 (precise catalogue grid V 98034 80784). It lies on the broad plateau above Devil’s Punchbowl. The lake and cairns beside the corrie rim are lower points, so use the summit grid rather than assuming the first cairn is the top.
Terrain & Geology
Mangerton lies in the South Kerry mountain region, predominantly underlain by Devonian Old Red Sandstone. Geological Survey Ireland also records small pockets of granite and other intrusive rocks along the summits of Mangerton and Stoompa. Glacial corries, including Devil’s Punchbowl, cut into the broad, peat-covered mountain. The exact rock formation beneath the summit cairn is not established here.
Views & Scenery
In clear weather there are views of the Killarney lakes, MacGillycuddy’s Reeks, Devil’s Punchbowl and Horses Glen, with Kenmare Bay visible in favourable conditions.
History & Heritage
Name Origin
The Irish name is An Mhangarta. Paul Tempan offers a possible meaning referring to a long-haired mountain, and an alternative connection with mangart, movement or shaking, perhaps describing quaking bog. These are tentative interpretations; the derivation is not settled.
Historical Significance
Tooreencormick on Mangerton’s northern slopes is associated with the 1262 battle between MacCarthy and Geraldine forces, in which Cormac MacCarthy died. Paul Tempan distinguishes this encounter from the battle at Callan Glen near Kilgarvan in 1261.
Getting There & Facilities
Parking
Limited roadside parking is described at Gortagullane by the Finoulagh River, near V984849, reached from the N71 via the road beside Muckross Park Hotel and the signposted Mangerton turn. Keep entrances and the road clear; parking availability and current access conditions are not guaranteed. Follow local notices and respect landowners.
Public Transport
Irish Rail serves Killarney on the Dublin Heuston–Tralee route. Arrange onward travel to the Gortagullane trailhead separately; no direct trailhead public-transport service has been verified. Check current services and return arrangements before setting out.
Nearby Facilities
Bring food and water: the mountain route has no listed refreshment stops. Killarney has shops and places to eat. Trailhead toilet provision has not been verified.
Safety Information
Known Hazards
- The broad, boggy plateau can be difficult to navigate in cloud; carry a map and compass and know how to use them.
- Steep corrie margins, wet rock and grassy slopes create serious slip hazards; keep clear of edges.
- The Horses Glen circuit includes a steep descent and rough lakeside scrambling on indistinct tracks. It is for experienced mountain walkers.
- Allow for changing weather and the complete return journey. Carry suitable clothing, food, water, a torch and emergency equipment. In an emergency call 999 or 112 and request mountain rescue.
Seasonal Hazards
Wet weather makes bog, rock and steep grass more slippery. Snow, ice and shorter winter daylight make navigation and descent more serious. Check the mountain forecast and choose a route within the group’s skills and the available daylight.
General Safety Tips
- Check weather conditions before setting out
- Carry appropriate clothing and equipment
- Let someone know your planned route
- Take a map, compass, and GPS device
- Carry emergency supplies: food, water, first aid kit, torch
Hills
Some common questions about the hills answered
Are there group walks up Mangerton Mountain?
Many walkers use Walkmates to join or organise walks with others. You can check for group walks around Mangerton Mountain through the maps
Are there other walkers around Mangerton Mountain?
Activity varies by location and time, but Walkmates lets you see whether others have shared walks or shown interest in this area. Find other people through the walking friends search walking friends for Mangerton Mountain search or of course create your own walk for Mangerton Mountain
Can I organise a walk to Mangerton Mountain?
Yes. If there aren’t any walks listed already, you can create a walk and make it available for others to join.
If you're signed up to Walkmates, you can create a walk to Mangerton Mountain.
How do I find a walk up this hill?
There are often multiple ways to walk this hill, depending on experience and route preference. Walkmates helps you explore walks and routes that others have shared.
Can I suggest a new route up Mangerton Mountain?
Yes. You can suggest or create routes to share with others. Walkmates focuses on the social side of walking, so routes are used to help people organise walks and explore areas together, rather than as detailed navigation tools or route libraries.
Other uses really appreciate knowledgeable walkers sharing their routes. Share your favourite route to Mangerton Mountain here
The is an error or something incorrect about this hill. How do I let you know?
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Location
Grid reference: V980807
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