Cnoc Bhreanail Brandon Hill

Brandon Hill is the highest mountain in County Kilkenny. It has an elevation of 515 m (1,690 ft). It is situated 4 kilometers South-South-West of Graignamanagh, 7 kilometers east of Inistioge and 11 kilometers east of Thomastown, in the south of County Kilkenny. Brandon Hill is in the barony of Gowran and in the province of Leinster. The village of Graignamanagh is at the base of the hill.

It is the termination of the chain of granitic mountains that raise from the shores of Dublin bay. The base of Brandon Hill on the side of the River Barrow and the hill running to Graig is composed of schist rock. This blackish siliceous schistus, sometimes containing grains of quartz and when it is broken it has a shivery texture and is hard enough to scratch glass. There are a few beds of marble and limestone gravel near the foot of the mountain.

One of the first crossed being erected on Brandon Hill

Trail Details

A challenging walk from Graiguenamanagh along country roadways , forestry tracks and hillside paths to the highest point in County Kilkenny

Direction to Trailhead

Brandon Hill loop starts in the town of Graignamanagh. The trailhead is at the junction on Lower Main Street.

Distance / Time

18km / 7hrs

High / Ascent

520m / 600m

Difficulty

Hard