While I've climbed the Sugarloaf mountains of Wicklow (501m) and Waterford (633m) a number of times, I had, until recently never got around to tackling Cork's Sugarloaf (574m) which stands guard over the entrance to the Beara Peninsula near Glengarriff.

Apart from some fairly miserable terrain which didn't entice, there were access problems which also dogged the section of the Beara Way which ean from Glengarriff to Adrigole on the eastern side of the mountain. The problem has now been solved, as this route has now been abandoned and a new route created which runs from Coomerkane to Adrigole on the western side.

As the path rises to a col at a height of 510m it also provides easy access to the summit of Sugarloaf. And while the old route was rather boring this new route is one of the most dramatic sections of the Beara Way.

To get the most satisfaction from the day, do the full route by leaving a car at either end. Start from the Adrigole side as the terrain up to the col is much easier to ascend than descend. The path starts from across the road from Adrigole National School running through woodland and farmland for half a kilometre until it comes out onto a third class road. At the cross roads aheadturn left and head uphill until you come to the trailhead.

The first section runs along a narrow farm track up to spot height 213m.

From here it's simply a question of following a well marked fence up across typical Beara terrain of rock outcrops interspersed with short boggy bits which can slippery under foot in wet weather.

Fence crossings are facilitated by fine metal styles. As you ascend the view of the great cooms of the Caha Mountains begin to open up, as does the view across Bantry Basy to the Sheep's Head Peninsula. After the final style on the fence the path drops down to Toberavanaha Lake and then on up to the col.

The route from the col onto the Sugarloaf is off the way marked track and on rough ground which, like everywhere else on Beara, presents a significant navigation challenge if the mist is down.

Go towards the left side of the first slope where a sheep track will help you ascend. Keep as close to the top of the ridge as possible as you negotiate your way on grassy ground between the outcrops.

There is a significant col just before the final ascent which gives you a chance to look across and pick a route up to the peak.

A feature of the summit is that the trigonometrical pillar has been painted white. This has the rather pleasing effect of connecting the mountain top to the coastal environment over which it presides with its many white beacons and lighthouses.

As Sugarloaf is steep on three sides you get almost an aerial view of the coastline from Glengarriff to Berehaven and, a mountainscape from Hungry Hill away towards the Reeks behind and with the west Cork peninsulas laid out in front, you'll undoubtedly be mesmerised.

Retrace your steps to the coland head down into Coomerkane by the new track which has been cut out all the weay to the road. Once over the style onto the road turn right and head downhill for 600 metres to the clearing by the bridge.

Having tasted all three Sugarloafs, I can say, without any bias at all, that the Cork Sugarloaf is the sweetest of them all.