Cnoc na Peiste [Knocknapeasta]

About Cnoc na Peiste [Knocknapeasta]

Rising as the highest point of the Eastern Reeks, this formidable peak offers a rugged, high-altitude experience. Often reached via the airy ridge from Maolan Buí, its narrow crest provides spectacular drops into the dark waters of Lough Cummeenapeasta and dramatic views across the Hag's Glen toward the jagged summit of Carrauntoohil.

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Did You Know?

• •The name translates from the Irish 'Cnoc na Péiste' as 'Hill of the Serpent.' In local folklore, these serpents or 'water worms' were said to inhabit the deep, cold mountain loughs, though the name may also refer to the dark, sinuous shape of the ridge itself.
• •In February 1943, a USAAF Douglas C-47 Skytrain crashed into the peak during a flight from North Africa to England. All five crew members were killed; today, significant parts of the aircraft's wreckage, including an engine and sections of the wing, are still visible near the shores of Lough Cummeenapeasta.
• •While the Reeks are famous for their continuous high ridge, this is one of only two summits in the entire range with enough prominence—at least 150 metres—to be classified as a Marilyn.
• •The summit offers an exceptional vantage point for surveying the Killarney landscape; looking northeast, the land drops toward the Gap of Dunloe, while to the south, the view extends over the Kenmare River and the distant ridges of the Caha Mountains.
• •Despite the name, the only thing you are likely to find sliding around this summit is a hillwalker who has underestimated the slipperiness of the Kerry sandstone in a heavy downpour.