Nowen Hill SW Top

About Nowen Hill SW Top

Tucked away in the rugged uplands of West Cork, this subsidiary summit offers a quieter alternative to its mast-topped neighbour, Nowen Hill. The terrain consists of sandstone outcrops and Atlantic blanket bog, providing a raw, wild feel. From its 509-metre vantage point, the views stretch over Bantry Bay toward the jagged Caha Mountains.

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Did You Know?

• •The name Nowen is derived from the Irish Cnoc na nAbhann, meaning "Hill of the Rivers." This reflects the hill’s role as a vital watershed; several rivers, including the River Ilen, trace their sources back to these slopes.
• •From the summit, specific landmarks of the West Cork coastline are visible, including the Sheep's Head Peninsula and the long finger of the Mizen Peninsula stretching into the Atlantic.
• •This peak is often visited alongside the main summit of Nowen Hill, which is easily identifiable across the landscape by its large telecommunications masts and steep access road.
• •Like much of the South Cork region, the hill is composed of Devonian Old Red Sandstone, which gives the rocky outcrops their characteristic reddish-brown hue.
• •While the main summit is busy with antennas and fencing, this south-western top provides the rare luxury of enjoying the West Cork scenery without feeling like you are standing inside a broadcast relay station.