● RECORDED ROUTE

Com an Áir
Lakes.

A recorded journey into the deep corrie and remote lakes east of Mount Brandon, surrounded by steep mountain ground in the heart of Corca Dhuibhne.

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Based on Rob’s GPX
666 recorded track points · separate recorded start and finish

ROB’S PHOTOGRAPHSSee 5 route photos↓

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INTERACTIVE TERRAIN · ACTUAL GPX TRACK

DISTANCE10.32km recorded

RECORDED TIME4:30hours

ASCENT481m recorded

GRADEModerateremote mountain ground

PLAN THE GROUND

Start well. Turn back early.

Recorded-track information for planning. This is not confirmation of parking, access or safe passage on the day.

RECORDED START

Recorded northern start point

52.21583, -10.13801From the supplied track

The supplied activity does not finish where it starts. Arrange transport or confirm a safe return plan before setting out. The coordinate marks the recording, not guaranteed formal parking.

Use appropriate parking and never block gates, homes, narrow roads or emergency access.

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HAZARDS & OPTIONS

Know the commitment.

Remote mountain ground with limited easy escape options.
Steep corrie slopes and wet ground around the lakes.
Cloud can remove visual reference points quickly.
The recorded line has different start and finish points.

Conservative retreat guidance

This is not a closed loop. Know where the recorded finish lies and arrange transport in advance. If visibility or ground conditions deteriorate early, retreat along the known outward line rather than improvising across steep corrie ground.

No line shown here should be treated as a guaranteed emergency escape route.

RECORDED ELEVATION

Into the corrie at 459 m.

The recording climbs into Com an Áir before descending to a different finish. Its accumulated ascent is 481 metres.

459 m74 m

0 km481 m ascent · 565 m descent10.32 km

INSIDE THE CORRIE

Water beneath the mountain.

Rob’s photographs from Com an Áir: dark lakes, steep green walls, weather moving across the rim and mountain water finding its way downhill.

Com an Áir lake seen from high ground with the Brandon mountains beneath dramatic cloud — 01The lake from above

A dark mountain lake beneath green slopes disappearing into low cloud — 02Cloud entering the corrie

A quiet mountain lake enclosed by grass and rock beneath a grey sky — 03Still water, low sky

Peat forms in the foreground beneath a steep rocky corrie wall — 04The wall above

Mountain water tumbling through dark rocks with a pointed summit beyond — 05Water leaving the high ground

Photography by @kerrymountains.rob ↗

THE LINE

Into a mountain hollow.

The official Irish name recorded by the Placenames Database of Ireland is Locha Chom an Áir for the lakes and Com an Áir for the surrounding townland. The name is commonly rendered in English as “the hollow of the slaughter”. The recording reaches deep into this glacial landscape before finishing farther west.

01Northern approachThe recording begins above the northern side of the peninsula.

02Corrie groundRougher terrain leads towards the lakes beneath steep slopes.

03Recorded high pointThe line reaches 459 m above the corrie.

04Separate finishThe route descends south-west rather than returning to its start.

Placename spelling verified against the Placenames Database of Ireland ↗

BEFORE YOU GO

Remote ground and two trailheads.

Plan the finish before you leave the start.

Com an Áir is a remote corrie route rather than a closed loop. Transport, navigation and deteriorating weather all need to be considered before setting out.

Arrange the finishThe GPX ends away from its start, so organise transport in advance.
Navigate independentlyCarry a paper map and compass and know how to use them.
Protect your marginTurn back early if cloud, wind or wet ground exceeds your experience.
Share your planLeave both trailheads and your expected return time with someone.

Read Kerry Mountain Rescue guidance ↗

In an emergency Call 112 or 999 and ask for Mountain Rescue.

Track geometry and activity time come from the GPX. Elevation, cumulative distance, ascent and descent come from the matching GeoJSON supplied by @kerrymountains.rob.