Faha Ridge...

...is it difficult? Know it was recommended to me here before as a good ridge walk. Have been up Brandon on the easier routes. And tried descending the ridge, but conditions were slippy and I was alone so abandoned it shortly into it. Seemed to be one or two places where I felt myself pitching forward slightly. From looking across at it, there seemed to be one or two exposed areas of rock that look difficult to get across. And can't see any semblance of a path, unlike other ridges I've tried.

NathanKingerlee

Faha Ridge is a little more full on then Beenkeeragh Ridge, although there is a slightly more obvious path on the Faha Ridge. Big exposure but once you're careful you're fine. There is one little step on it that you need a rope ideally to abseil down a six(?) metre step. You could scramble down this step, but with the exposure below you a rope is good for protection.

You actually break off the ridge before it begins it's final steep ascent towards Brandon and you head left into the corrie and main footpath of Brandon.

Finally got round to it yesterday.

Fine walk alright. Had to cheat a little and move to the north of the ridge to avoid 2 bands of rock, both between the highest point on the ridge itself and Brandon ridge. But fine airy trek alright.

Mac2010

hi conor74, how was the weather around that area? ive never been there but heading to mt brandon very soon. i have heard the surrounding areas foggy most of the time.and if you can could you give us details about routes/tracks that lead to the summit. is it more difficult than carrauntoohil? whats the nearest village etc...?

Thanks very much in advance,

Weather on Brandon notorious. It must be its location, but seems to be cloudy up there far more than other ranges in Kerry. Even yesterday, sun beating down on the east side of the ridge, on the west side was a solid bank of thick cloud, completely contrasting.

Wouldn't be an expert myself, have only been up there a few times and took what seems to be the most popular route - parking in Cloghane to the east of the range, then heading up the Pilgrim route which starts at a grotto about a mile from that village and pushes up past the paternoster lakes. Bit of a scramble to push up the last couple of hundred metres, but lovely views on way up. You are walking underneath the Faha Ridge referred to above, to the south of it, but in same direction. Can also detour to the promontory fort near top of Benagh. I believe approaching it from the Dingle side may be quicker but seems more of a slog through more featureless area. At the top can do the range heading north or south, both lovely, but both leave a long walk back to car at the end so two cars may be advisable.

Chris O Donoghue

You might be lucky with weather: the last time we were there (in February) the valley where the lakes are was completely fogged in, but when we reached the ridge we could see for miles to the west, right out to Slea Head and the Blaskets, it was amazing.

The route itself is OK but fairly eroded so mind your step. The walk in from the grotto has great views, but there is another tougher route from the south-east which takes you along all the lakes in the Paternoster string. Take a left turn before Croghane, and follow the road marked the Pilgrims Route on the 1:50K OSI Map 70.

Park on the road (491 843) and walk into the first lake, Lough Cruite, and follow the waterfalls and stream right up to the corrie. It's a bit of a scramble in places but well worth the effort. You'll meet the Grotto path, just follow that to the top.

If you can get a copy of David Herman's "Hill Walkers Kerry" he has some great variations on the classic Kerry routes.