Knockmealdown Mountains Mountains

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.

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.

• 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.