Highlight • Summit
Knockboy Summit
Hiking
5.0
(4)
Mountain biking
5.0
(1)
At 2,316 feet (706 m), Knockboy is the highest peak in the beautiful Shehy range on the border between County Kerry and County Cork. It’s a region characterised by broad, green hills, peat bogs and sparkling loughs, sculpted and left behind after the last Ice Age.
Knockboy can be accessed with relative ease from the Priest’s Leap pass, which crosses the range to the west, reaching 1,703 feet (519 m) at its highest point. Just the drive to reach this point is an adventure in itself but it does make a jaunt to Knockboy’s summit very straightforward.
The highest peak in the Shehy range and a magnificent viewpoint
There are few paths up on Knockboy and its family of peaks, so the range is quite a wild-feeling place to explore. Cotton grass sways in the wind on a sea of coarse green and a vast horizon accompanies you as you go. The range’s other highest points, Caoinkeen and Knocknamanagh, are within reach to the north if you’re feeling energetic.
From the summit trig point, you can spy the immense Carrauntoohil range, Ireland’s highest and finest mountains, across Kenmare Bay to the northwest. To the southwest stretches the Beara Peninsula, adorned by the Caha Mountains, while to the south are the long finger of the Sheep’s Head Peninsula and the Mizen Peninsula, where Ireland gives way to the wild Atlantic.
The small town of Kenmare, beautifully situated at the head of Kenmare Bay has a number of good accommodation options, while more can be found to the south around the village of Glengariff.
Knockboy can be accessed with relative ease from the Priest’s Leap pass, which crosses the range to the west, reaching 1,703 feet (519 m) at its highest point. Just the drive to reach this point is an adventure in itself but it does make a jaunt to Knockboy’s summit very straightforward.
The highest peak in the Shehy range and a magnificent viewpoint
There are few paths up on Knockboy and its family of peaks, so the range is quite a wild-feeling place to explore. Cotton grass sways in the wind on a sea of coarse green and a vast horizon accompanies you as you go. The range’s other highest points, Caoinkeen and Knocknamanagh, are within reach to the north if you’re feeling energetic.
From the summit trig point, you can spy the immense Carrauntoohil range, Ireland’s highest and finest mountains, across Kenmare Bay to the northwest. To the southwest stretches the Beara Peninsula, adorned by the Caha Mountains, while to the south are the long finger of the Sheep’s Head Peninsula and the Mizen Peninsula, where Ireland gives way to the wild Atlantic.
The small town of Kenmare, beautifully situated at the head of Kenmare Bay has a number of good accommodation options, while more can be found to the south around the village of Glengariff.
Tips
David Howells
October 26, 2025
Knockboy, or An Cnoc Buí, meaning 'yellow mountain', is the highest mountain in the Shehy Mountains. It has a trig-pointed summit and is easily accessible from Priest’s Leap. There are great views to be had from here all round, but the views towards Bantry Bay are a bit special.
TenaciousD
November 29, 2023
Mountain biking
At 709 m this isolated peak provides great views across this unique landscape. The point is marked by a geodesic stone marker. Be aware that along the route there are some points where you will have to lift your bike and step over small steps to pass over protective animal fencing.
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Nearby routes
Best routes near Knockboy Summit
4.5
(4)
25
hikers
4.48km
01:30
230m
230m
Hike the easy 2.8-mile (4.5 km) Knockboy from Priest's Leap Trail, gaining 750 feet (229 metres) to panoramic views in 1 hour 29 minutes.
Easy
Details
Informations
Elevation 680 m
Good to know
Family Friendly
yes
Wheelchair access
no
Dog Friendly
yes
Weather
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Tuesday 5 May
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5°C
20 %
Additional weather tips
Max wind speed: 7.0 km/h
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