Gortagullane River and Devil’s Punchbowl Loop

The walk starts across open lower ground by the river, often muddy, then a narrow path crosses the stream by the stone marked Cormac’s Haggard. After that, the climb turns steep and stony. As you gain height, Lough Leane and Lough Guitane come into view, with the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks opening up farther along.

At the fork by a boulder with an iron bar, continue straight. The left branch can look like a direct option, but it isn’t the circuit described here.

Devil’s Punch Bowl is a corrie lake, its basin carved by ice and enclosed by steep mountain slopes. Its outlet becomes the Owengarriff River, which eventually runs over Torc Waterfall, though this route doesn’t visit the falls.

The circuit leaves the lake and climbs a grassy flank, then a stony ridge to a broad, marshy plateau. The mapped route follows a cairn just below Mangerton’s highest point; reaching the pole-marked high point means crossing wet ground, so the circuit stops short.

On the descent, the path circles the bowl’s north side and opens a view down Horses Glen to Lough Erhogh. Large boulders lead back toward the lake’s outlet, where the route rejoins the way you climbed. From the high side, keep some of the steep rim in the frame with the water; the scale is the point of the view.

The roadside pull-off by the Finoulagh River is tiny, with space for about four cars, and there are no refreshment stops on the route. The steep grassy slopes and broad plateau are much harder to follow in poor visibility, and the lower ground can be muddy. This route is described as a public walk, but I couldn’t confirm a specific park access or dog rule; check current NPWS guidance before setting out or bringing a pet.