Ballynalacken Hill

About Ballynalacken Hill

Rising above the fertile landscape near the Kilkenny and Carlow border, this 314-metre Tump offers a quiet, uncrowded ascent. The terrain is typical of the region's rolling uplands, providing a grounded walking experience with broad views stretching across the Barrow Valley towards the more prominent Blackstairs Mountains to the east.

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Did You Know?

• •The name is derived from the Irish Baile na Leacan, which translates to 'townland of the hillside' or 'stony slope', a likely reference to the slaty rock found throughout this part of the country.
• •From its 314-metre vantage point, the summit offers a clear perspective over the Barrow Valley, with the distinctive profile of Brandon Hill visible to the south and the Blackstairs Mountains lining the eastern horizon.
• •Situated within the southern fringes of the Leinster uplands, the hill serves as a modest but useful link between the higher granite peaks of Carlow and the fertile river valleys of Kilkenny.
• •At just over 1,000 feet, the climb provides a perfectly respectable afternoon stroll, provided you do not mind the local livestock occasionally questioning your choice of route.