Duff Hill [An Cnoc Dubh]

About Duff Hill [An Cnoc Dubh]

Rising as a high, peat-scarred dome in the central Wicklow Mountains, this Hewitt offers a rugged and often boggy experience. It sits on the main ridge between Gravale and Mullaghcleevaun, providing a sense of deep isolation and expansive views over the Vartry Reservoir and the wild heart of the national park.

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Did You Know?

• •The name is derived from the Irish 'An Cnoc Dubh', which translates as 'The Black Hill'. This likely refers to the dark appearance of the exposed peat hags and dense heather that dominate its upper slopes.
• •Duff Hill is a key waypoint on the high-level ridge route connecting the Sally Gap to Glendalough, positioned directly between the lower summit of Gravale and the massive bulk of Mullaghcleevaun.
• •The summit plateau is notorious for its complex system of peat hags—deeply eroded channels in the bog—which can make progress slow and navigation testing during periods of low visibility.
• •The eastern vista from the summit is particularly rewarding, offering a clear look over the Vartry Reservoirs toward the Irish Sea, with the distinct, rocky profile of the Great Sugar Loaf visible to the northeast.
• •While the name translates to 'The Black Hill', anyone attempting the saturated crossing from the north after a typical Atlantic front might find 'The Great Brown Quagmire' a more honest description.