● RECORDED ROUTE

Com an Áir
Lakes.

A recorded journey into the deep corrie and remote lakes east of Mount Brandon, surrounded by steep mountain ground in the heart of Corca Dhuibhne.

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Based on Rob’s GPX
666 recorded track points · separate recorded start and finish

ROB’S PHOTOGRAPHSSee 8 route photos↓

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INTERACTIVE TERRAIN · ACTUAL GPX TRACK

DISTANCE10.32km recorded

RECORDED TIME4:30hours

ASCENT481m recorded

GRADEModerateremote mountain ground

Recorded time is not planning time. Build your own estimate from pace, ascent, ground, breaks, weather and available daylight.

WEATHER AT A GLANCE

450 m corrie forecast

Reading the route forecast…

Current snapshot. Detailed planning guidance and route files are below. Mountain conditions can differ sharply from the forecast.

PLAN THE GROUND

Start well. Turn back early.

Recorded-track information for planning. This is not confirmation of parking, access or safe passage on the day.

RECORDED START

Recorded northern start point

From the supplied track

Irish Transverse Mercator

Tap coordinates to copy

The supplied activity does not finish where it starts. Arrange transport or confirm a safe return plan before setting out. The coordinate marks the recording, not guaranteed formal parking.

Use appropriate parking and never block gates, homes, narrow roads or emergency access.

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HAZARDS & OPTIONS

Know the commitment.

Remote mountain ground with limited easy escape options.
Steep corrie slopes and wet ground around the lakes.
Cloud can remove visual reference points quickly.
The recorded line has different start and finish points.

Conservative retreat guidance

This is not a closed loop. Know where the recorded finish lies and arrange transport in advance. If visibility or ground conditions deteriorate early, retreat along the known outward line rather than improvising across steep corrie ground.

No line shown here should be treated as a guaranteed emergency escape route.

RECORDED ELEVATION

Into the corrie at 459 m.

The recording climbs into Com an Áir before descending to a different finish. Its accumulated ascent is 481 metres.

459 m74 m

0 km481 m ascent · 565 m descent10.32 km

INSIDE THE CORRIE

Water beneath the mountain.

Rob’s photographs from Com an Áir: dark lakes, steep green walls, weather moving across the rim and mountain water finding its way downhill.

A bright summer view across the Com an Áir corrie, lakes and surrounding mountains — 01Summer over the corrie

The long dark corrie lake stretching beneath cloud-covered mountain slopes — 02The long lake below

A mountain lake and rocky islands beneath a dark incoming sky — 03Weather gathering

Walkers crossing rough ground beside a mountain lake in the Com an Áir corrie — 04Walking into the hollow

Sunlight picking out the steep cliffs and dark lakes of Com an Áir — 05Light across the cliffs

A dark mountain lake enclosed by steep green slopes and low cloud — 06At the water’s edge

Weathered bone among wildflowers with the mountain landscape beyond — 07Detail on the moor

Com an Áir lake seen from high ground with the Brandon mountains beneath dramatic cloud — 08The hollow from above

Photography by @kerrymountains.rob ↗

THE LINE

Into a mountain hollow.

The official Irish name recorded by the Placenames Database of Ireland is Locha Chom an Áir for the lakes and Com an Áir for the surrounding townland. The name is commonly rendered in English as “the hollow of the slaughter”. The recording reaches deep into this glacial landscape before finishing farther west.

01Northern approachThe recording begins above the northern side of the peninsula.

02Corrie groundRougher terrain leads towards the lakes beneath steep slopes.

03Recorded high pointThe line reaches 459 m above the corrie.

04Separate finishThe route descends south-west rather than returning to its start.

Placename spelling verified against the Placenames Database of Ireland ↗

BEFORE YOU GO

Remote ground and two trailheads.

Plan the finish before you leave the start.

Com an Áir is a remote corrie route rather than a closed loop. Transport, navigation and deteriorating weather all need to be considered before setting out.

Arrange the finishThe GPX ends away from its start, so organise transport in advance.
Navigate independentlyCarry a paper map and compass and know how to use them.
Protect your marginTurn back early if cloud, wind or wet ground exceeds your experience.
Share your planLeave both trailheads and your expected return time with someone.

Read Kerry Mountain Rescue guidance ↗

In an emergency Call 112 or 999 and ask for Mountain Rescue.

A NOTE BEFORE YOU GO

Walk responsibly.

Your route. Your decisions.

This guide describes one recorded outing and may not reflect current access, path conditions or hazards. Weather and mapping are guidance only. You are responsible for your route choice, navigation, equipment and decisions. If in doubt, turn back.

Leave No Trace.

Plan ahead, respect landowners, livestock, wildlife and other walkers. Use durable ground where practical, take all waste home, leave what you find and do not light fires without permission.

Read the Leave No Trace Ireland Seven Principles ↗

Track geometry and activity time come from the GPX. Elevation, cumulative distance, ascent and descent come from the matching GeoJSON supplied by @kerrymountains.rob.