Black Hill

Rising above the shores of the Poulaphouca Reservoir, this heathery Tump offers a quieter alternative to the busier Wicklow peaks. The broad, peat-flecked summit provides a grandstand view across the Blessington Lakes toward the distant plains of Kildare, making it a rewarding extension to a walk from neighbouring Sorrel Hill.

• •The name is a direct description of the dark, heathery moorland and peat hags that cloak the summit, a stark contrast to the verdant fields of the surrounding valleys.
• •Most walkers approach the summit from the gap to the west, often combining the peak with the lower Sorrel Hill for a satisfying horseshoe-style outing.
• •From the trig pillar, the view encompasses the full sweep of the Blessington Lakes, with the jagged silhouette of the main Wicklow massif, including Mullaghcleevaun, dominating the eastern horizon.
• •The hill sits on the western fringes of the Wicklow Mountains, serving as a prominent gateway peak for those approaching the range from the lowlands of County Kildare.
• •Success on this climb is often measured by the amount of peat one manages not to bring home in their boots, given the notoriously soggy nature of the col connecting it to its neighbours.