Cnoc na Toinne

About Cnoc na Toinne

Situated on the main ridge of the Macgillycuddy's Reeks, this Hewitt is a vital waypoint for those avoiding the Devil’s Ladder. It offers a gentler, grassy alternative via the Zig-Zags route, providing a grandstand view into the Hag’s Glen and across to the precipitous eastern face of Carrauntoohil.

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Did You Know?

• •The name comes from the Irish Cnoc na Toinne, which translates to 'Hill of the Wave.' This likely refers to the mountain's position on the ridge where it catches the prevailing Atlantic weather, or perhaps the undulating profile of its summit.
• •It serves as a crucial junction in the Reeks; the popular 'Zig-Zags' path terminates near its summit, offering walkers a much safer and more sustainable descent from the high ridge than the heavily eroded Devil’s Ladder.
• •From the summit, you get a unique perspective of the Hag’s Glen below, with the dark waters of Lough Callee and Lough Gouragh nestled between the cliffs of Carrauntoohil and the Beenkeragh Ridge.
• •Standing at 844 metres, it is classified as a Hewitt, making it one of the highest points in Ireland outside the immediate three-peak cluster of Carrauntoohil, Beenkeragh, and Caher.
• •While often treated as a mere transit point for those bagging Ireland's highest peak, it remains one of the few places in the Reeks where you can stand on a relatively flat patch of grass and briefly forget that the rest of the range is trying to tip you into a corrie.