Knockbrack [Gulba Mor]

About Knockbrack [Gulba Mor]

Sitting on the western outskirts of the Macgillycuddy’s Reeks, this 422m Tump offers a quieter alternative to the high ridges. Its name, 'The Speckled Hill,' reflects the mottled mix of heather and sandstone. From the summit, the deep Bridia Valley unfolds, providing an intimate perspective on the massive bulk of neighbouring Broaghnabinnia.

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Did You Know?

• •Knockbrack is an anglicisation of An Cnoc Breac, meaning 'The Speckled Hill,' a common Irish name denoting a landscape of mixed rock and vegetation. The alternative name, Gulba Mhór, translates to 'Big Beak' or 'Big Snout,' a reference to the hill's distinctive protruding profile.
• •The hill serves as a vital western anchor for the Reeks, overlooking the 'Lack Road,' an old mountain pass used historically by locals to move livestock between the Bridia Valley and the Glencar area.
• •Because it sits at the edge of Ireland's highest mountain range, the summit offers an uncrowded view of the western Reeks, specifically the sharp descent of the Caher ridge into the Coomloughra glen.
• •Visitors should be prepared for the 'speckled' terrain to include a significant amount of classic Kerry bog, ensuring that while your eyes are on the peaks, your boots are very much in the peat.