At 851 m, Baurtregaum is the highest summit in the Slieve Mish, the range that walls off the eastern end of the Dingle Peninsula. It’s not a famous mountain and you’ll often have it to yourself, but it’s a big, serious one – a 643 m prominence makes it a Marilyn, and the standard way up strings it together with Caherconree into one of Kerry’s best ridge walks.
The Irish name, Barr Trí gCom, means ‘top of the three hollows’ – the glacial valleys of Derrymore, Derryquay and Curraheen that bite into its sides. Derrymore Glen, on the north side, is the deepest and the way most walkers go up.
The Derrymore Glen Horseshoe
The classic route is the Derrymore Glen Horseshoe: about 11 km, roughly five hours, and the best part of 1,000 m of climbing. It’s an unmarked mountain route, not a waymarked trail – you navigate it yourself.
From the head of Derrymore Glen the path climbs past the glen’s lakes before the valley walls steepen and you break onto the ridge. The horseshoe takes in Gearhane (792 m), then Caherconree (835 m) – the second-highest peak in the range – before the rocky spine out to Baurtregaum’s cairn. The bonus on Caherconree is the Iron Age promontory fort below the summit, tied in legend to Cú Roí mac Dáire; it’s one of the highest inland promontory forts in the country and reason enough on its own to take this line rather than a straight up-and-down.
If you only do one Slieve Mish walk, do this one – two of the range’s big tops and the fort in a single loop. Come back the way you climbed, or drop down the north spur over the NW Top for a different view of the eastern corries.
Geology and the view
The summit is quartz-pebble conglomerate – Old Red Sandstone – which weathers to the reddish, rounded rock that catches the light on the upper slopes. On a clear day the view runs to the Brandon range across the peninsula, the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks to the south, and out over Tralee Bay, Fenit and Dingle Bay to the open Atlantic. On a bad day you’ll see the inside of a cloud, which is the more common outcome – pick your weather.
Getting there and staying safe
The walk starts from Derrymore Glen on the north side of the range, reached off the N86 between Tralee and Camp – not from the far western end of the peninsula. There’s free parking at a lay-by near Derrymore Bridge; the approach road is fine for a normal car but narrows in places.
This is a real mountain, and the honest caveats matter more than the directions:
- It’s unmarked and partly trackless on the tops. Carry a map and compass or GPS and know how to use them – the summit grid reference is Q749 076.
- Mobile coverage is unreliable once you’re above the lower slopes. Tell someone your route and your expected return.
- Atlantic weather turns fast. Check the Met Éireann mountain forecast, bring windproof and waterproof layers, and in winter expect snow and ice on the ridge – an axe and crampons, and the skill to use them, can be needed.
- Summer gives the best footing and the longest days; autumn is drier underfoot than you’d think but the light goes early.
Within reach afterwards: Inch Beach on the south side of the peninsula, and Annascaul, Tom Crean’s village, with the South Pole Inn for a pint when the legs are done.