Knockmealdown Mountains
Mountains Rolling mountain range straddling counties Tipperary and Waterford
A range on the Tipperary-Waterford border popular with hillwalkers; the Knockmealdown Mountains offer ridge routes, peatland tracks and wide views over southern Irish countryside.
The Knockmealdown Mountains are a range of hills on the border between County Tipperary and County Waterford in southern Ireland, dominated by the summit of Knockmealdown. The range forms part of the upland landscape of Munster and rises to roughly 792 metres at its highest point.
Trails across the ridges and to individual summits are the main attraction, providing ridge walks and panoramic viewpoints; hillwalking and scrambling are the common activities. Routes vary in length and difficulty, from short climbs to full ridge traverses of several kilometres.
The range has long been used for grazing and local rural activities; over time informal paths developed into the walking routes used today. There are also scattered archaeological features and old field boundaries reflecting historic land use.
The Knockmealdown Mountains straddle the county boundary in southern Ireland and form a distinctive upland block in the region, with nearby towns and villages providing the usual access points for visitors.
- Highest peak: The highest point reaches about 792 metres above sea level, offering broad views across the surrounding counties on clear days.
- Hiking access: Well served by marked walking routes and ridge trails, with several established access points from villages on both the Tipperary and Waterford sides.
How to Get to Knockmealdown Mountains #
Most walkers approach from the village of Vee in County Tipperary or from Knockanore near the N24. The R668 crosses the range and provides several small car parks and trailheads; the nearest larger towns are Clonmel (north) and Dungarvan (south), both reachable by regional bus services with onward local taxis.
Tips for Visiting Knockmealdown Mountains #
- Park at the Carrigmore/Knockmealdown car parks on the R668 and start the ridge walk from there to avoid steep forest tracks.
- Walk the ridge from east to west in clear weather - the views open progressively across Tipperary and Waterford.
- Avoid winter attempts; snow and wind can make the exposed ridge dangerous.
- Look for the memorial to the poet Canon Sheehy-Skeffington on some local maps - local walking routes reference old boundary stones.
Best Time to Visit Knockmealdown Mountains #
Late spring through early autumn is ideal for hiking the Knockmealdown ridge when paths are driest and visibility highest.
Weather & Climate near Knockmealdown Mountains #
Knockmealdown Mountains's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with cool summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 1°C to 17°C. Heavy rainfall (2208 mm/year), wettest in January.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 6°C and lows of 1°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (258 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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February
February is the coolest month with highs of 6°C and lows of 1°C. Significant rainfall (200 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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March
March is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of 1°C. Significant rainfall (194 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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April
April is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 2°C. Significant rainfall (136 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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May
May is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 5°C. Significant rainfall (145 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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June
June is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 7°C. Significant rainfall (124 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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July
July is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 9°C. Significant rainfall (125 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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August
August is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 9°C. Significant rainfall (156 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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September
September is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 7°C. Significant rainfall (174 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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October
October is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 5°C. Heavy rain (228 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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November
November is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 2°C. Heavy rain (218 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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December
December is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of 1°C. Heavy rain (250 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
