Field note / 01
Comeragh Mountains
County Waterford
County Waterford · Ireland
The Comeraghs — mountains, glacial valleys, waterfalls and wild places in the heart of County Waterford.
The landscape
Visit Waterford describes the Comeraghs as wild and remote — a range of glacial lakes, ridges and long coastal views rising in the middle of the county.
Glaciers hollowed out the coums that give the range its shape, leaving steep-walled corries with lakes at their feet. Above them sits open moorland and crag; below, streams gather and fall away into wooded valleys. It is a compact range, but the ground changes quickly: a car park, a stony track and forty minutes later you are standing under an eighty-metre waterfall.
You can take it gently, or you can spend the whole day on the ridge above Coumshingaun with the lake far below. Both are the Comeraghs.
Deep amphitheatres cut by ice, holding dark upland lakes.
Open heather, bog and rough grass across the high plateau.
Rock faces and long ridgelines above the coums.
Streams falling off the plateau edge into the valleys below.
Featured places
Waterfalls, corrie lakes, forest tracks and quiet valleys — from a forty-minute walk to a full mountain day.
GentleWaterfall walk
The best-known waterfall in the Comeraghs, dropping roughly 80 metres down the head of the Mahon valley. A short, well-used track leads from the car park to the base of the falls.
ChallengingCorrie lake & ridge loop
A deep glacial lake set inside a vast rock amphitheatre. The full loop climbs the surrounding ridge for long views over the lake, the lowlands and the coast — a serious mountain day.
GentleRoadside curiosity
A short stretch of mountain road near Mahon Falls where the slope appears to run the wrong way — a long-standing local curiosity and an easy stop on the Comeragh Drive.
Half dayForest walk
A looped forest and hillside walk on the southern edge of the Comeraghs, mixing woodland tracks with open views back towards the lowlands and the sea.
Full dayValley & upland walking
A green river valley on the northern side of the range, and one of the main walking gateways into the Comeragh uplands and their cluster of high coums and lakes.
Half dayQuiet mountain lake
A small, sheltered lake tucked under the eastern slopes of the Comeraghs. A quieter alternative to the better-known corries, reached on foot from the mountain road.
Choose your adventure
Pick an effort level and the range rearranges itself around you.
Short walks and roadside stops
Waterfall walk
Approx. 80m waterfall · 2.5 km return · about 40 minutes · Easy walk
Roadside curiosity
Near Mahon Falls · Roadside stop · Minutes, not hours
Plan your day
Tell us how long you have, what you're drawn to and how hard you want to work. We'll shape a route from the places on this site.
About 1 hr 18 min on the ground
Waterfall walk · Gentle
The best-known waterfall in the Comeraghs, dropping roughly 80 metres down the head of the Mahon valley. A short, well-used track leads from the car park to the base of the falls.
Allow about 1 hr 18 min
Times are indicative only. Check the forecast, ground conditions and daylight before you set out, and plan longer for upland routes.
The scenic route
A mountain road that lifts you out of the Waterford lowlands and onto open moorland, taking in the Magic Road and Mahon Falls before dropping back into the valleys.
The drive turns inland from the Waterford coast and climbs steadily towards the southern flank of the Comeraghs.
A brief stop on the mountain road near Mahon Falls, where the gradient plays tricks on the eye.
Park and follow the track to the base of the falls — roughly 2.5 km return, about 40 minutes at an easy pace.
Open moorland, crags and long views south and east over the lowlands towards the sea.
The road drops back through farmland and river valleys on the way towards the Nire and the northern side of the range.
Mountain roads here are narrow, unlit and shared with walkers, cyclists and livestock. Drive slowly, park only in designated areas and keep gateways clear.
Before you go
Experiences in the Comeraghs range from short surfaced-track walks to long upland routes. Choose honestly, and always check current conditions with official sources before setting out.
The Mahon Falls walk is described as easy — roughly 2.5 km return, about 40 minutes. The Magic Road is a roadside stop. Crough Wood is a moderate 5.4 km return loop of about 1.5–2 hours.
The Coumshingaun loop is a challenging mountain route of around 4–5 hours, with steep ground and exposed ridge sections. Attempt it only with the experience, navigation skills and daylight it needs.
Wear proper walking boots with ankle support and grip. Bring windproof and waterproof layers, water, food, a charged phone, and a map or GPS you can use without signal.
Mountain weather changes quickly and cloud can cover the tops. Check the forecast and current trail conditions before you travel, and turn back if visibility drops.
This is a concept site. Route grades, distances and times shown here follow published descriptions from Visit Waterford and Discover Ireland, but they are indicative only. No accessibility standard is claimed for any route — always confirm surface, gradient and facilities with the official tourism information for each site before you travel.
More to explore
A long off-road walking and cycling route between Waterford city and Dungarvan, following a former railway line.
A stretch of Waterford coastline of coves, sea stacks and old mining heritage, recognised as a UNESCO Global Geopark.
Waterford's historic towns, houses and gardens sit within easy reach of the mountains for a slower half day.