Sugarloaf Hill

About Sugarloaf Hill

Rising steeply above the iconic Vee pass on the Tipperary-Waterford border, this prominent Hewitt offers a sharp but rewarding ascent. Its heathery slopes provide a direct line to a summit that commands a formidable view across the Galtee Mountains to the north and the fertile plains of the Golden Vale.

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Did You Know?

• •The name is a descriptive term common across the British Isles for hills with a conical profile, resembling the tall, rounded 'loaves' in which refined sugar was sold until the late 19th century. In Irish, it is known as Cnoc na nGabhari, meaning 'hill of the goats'.
• •The most popular approach begins at the hairpin bend of the R668, known as the Vee Pass. From this high starting point, walkers can reach the summit cairn relatively quickly, though the gradient is consistently steep from the outset.
• •Looking south from the summit, there is a clear, bird's-eye view into the deep glacial corrie of Bay Lough, a dark mountain lake steeped in local folklore regarding the 'witch' Petticoat Loose.
• •The hill marks a significant point on the county boundary between Tipperary and Waterford; the ridge line effectively separates the Suir valley to the north from the Blackwater catchment to the south.
• •Despite its name suggesting a sweet treat, the initial pull from the car park is a relentless, calf-stretching climb that usually cures any cravings for dessert by the time you reach the top.