Broaghnabinnia [Bruach na Binne]

Dominating the head of the Black Valley, this steep, grassy Hewitt acts as a rugged gateway between the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks and the Dunkerron Mountains. It is a massive, independent peak that offers a quieter, wilder experience than its 1,000-metre neighbours, with exceptional views across the glacial troughs of the Iveragh Peninsula.

• •The Irish name Bruach na Binne translates as the 'Brink of the Peak' or 'Edge of the Summit,' a fitting description for a mountain that drops away so precipitously into the deep glacial bowl of the Black Valley.
• •Its position offers one of the finest vantage points for viewing the eastern MacGillycuddy’s Reeks; from the cairn, the jagged profiles of Knocknapeasta and The Big Gun look particularly impressive across the valley.
• •Despite being classified as a Hewitt and a Marilyn, Broaghnabinnia is often overlooked by hikers focused on the nearby 3,000-foot summits, meaning you are far more likely to share the slopes with local sheep than other walkers.
• •The ascent from the north-east involves navigating a series of steep, rocky steps, though most walkers prefer the unrelenting but straightforward grassy pull from the Black Valley road.
• •It is the sort of mountain that looks manageable from the valley floor until the Killarney mist descends, at which point its broad, rounded upper slopes become a masterclass in why you should have practiced your compass bearings.