Comeragh Mountains Coumshingaun Loop
Ireland's most dramatic glacial cirque by 4WD
The Comeragh Mountains hide one of Ireland’s geological secrets — Coumshingaun, a massive glacial cirque carved 10,000 years ago with near-vertical cliffs dropping 400 meters to a dark corrie lake below. The track begins at the Mahon Falls car park and follows old turf-cutting roads across the plateau, passing the remnants of World War II aircraft crash sites scattered across the bogland. Stone markers guide the route through sections where the track disappears entirely into the peat.
This is expert-level terrain demanding 4WD with low range and experience reading unmarked mountain roads. Weather changes without warning — what starts as clear skies can turn into whiteout conditions within an hour. Carry OS maps, GPS, and emergency gear; mobile coverage is non-existent. Best attempted May through September when daylight lasts longest. The payoff is standing on the rim of one of Ireland’s most spectacular natural amphitheaters, completely alone except for the wind.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Expert |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Dirt |
| Features | High Altitude, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 12 mi / 19.3 km |
| Duration | Full day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 2597 ft |
| Best season | May-September |
| Minimum vehicle | 4WD with low range |
| Nearest town | Clonmel, Tipperary |
| Land manager | Coillte Teoranta |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Land Cruiser or Defender handle this trail, or does it need to be lifted?
Low-range 4WD is the hard minimum — this is rated Expert, so stock is borderline. A factory Defender or 70-series will manage, but a lift and all-terrain tyres give you real margin on the loose mountain tracks and steeper sections near the cirque.
When is the trail actually driveable — does Irish weather close it down in winter?
May through September is the reliable window. Outside that, the high ground above 2,000 ft gets snow, ice, and bog saturation that makes the track dangerous and potentially impassable even in a capable rig.
Do I need a permit to drive this trail, and is there a fee?
Coillte Teoranta manages this land — they are Ireland's state forestry body. No standard public permit system exists for recreational 4WD here, but you should verify current access status directly with Coillte before running it, as land access rules in Ireland can be quietly restricted.
What's the hardest section on the loop and what should I expect?
The approach tracks climbing toward Coumshingaun corrie are the crux — loose shale, steep grades, and exposed ridgeline terrain with minimal room for error or recovery. Shelf-road sections offer no turnaround options, so if your rig or your confidence cracks, you're committed.
There's zero cell service — how far is the nearest fuel and is there any rescue access if something goes wrong?
Clonmel is your last fuel stop before heading in, roughly 20 km out — fill up there. Emergency rescue in the Comeraghs relies on mountain rescue teams out of Waterford, response times are long, and helicopter access to the cirque is weather-dependent, so self-recovery gear and a satellite communicator are not optional on this one.
Trail track
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