Get Lost Mountaineering

Leenane Hill Full Crest Walk from Leenane

Start/Finish

Any of the free car parks in Leenane village which sits on the side of Killary Harbour – climbed to be Ireland's only fjord. Leenane is on the N59 between Clifden and Westport

Distance/Time

13 km.    About 5 – 6 hours.

Peaks

Leenane Hill, 618 m, L 874 593. (Irish National Grid System)

Irish OS Discovery Series Map 37 (1:50000)

Harvey's Connemara Map is probably the best map of the area.

Introduction

Leenane Hill towers above the small coastal village of Leenane. The described route gives a relatively easy ascent as many well climb this hill when the weather is too bad for its more famous neighbours. It is an excellent viewpoint for Mweelrea, Ben Lugmore, Ben Gorm, the Maumturks and the strangely named Devilsmother! Note that Leenane is also spelt Leenaun!

Route

(1) From Leenane village, walk up the road heading for Maum Cross. Walk past the houses, then the speed limit sign. Cross the road bridge over the river then immediately take the track on the right (Dogs not allowed). Follow the track. Further on it becomes grassy then just a rough path before joining a stony track (turns right). This takes one above and past the main waterfall. Continue until this track/path ends in some peat then continue up in the same direction. There is a fence over to the left which is a good guide. Go over or round a minor top then head for the steeper spur and fence which leads up on to the crest. Follow the crest W then NW around the edge of the corrie then continue on easy slopes across some peaty ground with a fence over to the left. This fence has to br crossed just before the summit. A large cairn (with a wooden cross on top on 9/9/18) marks the summit of Leenane Hill, 618 m.

(2) Continue along the crest on easy ground although it can be peaty and boggy in places but the fence is still there. Pass Top 578 and reach Top 556 which has a tiny cairn on it. Here the ridge splits. Go W down to a grassy col, cross a fence then ascend up to Bucan (no cairn). Descend almost due N, mainly down grass which is never more than moderately steep with lots of mini grassy ridges making for easier going. When almost down, converge with the fence on the right and soon reach the very obvious Western Way. Turn right and follow this until it joins the road just before Leenane. Continue along the road back to the start.

Notes

(a) This walk took place on 9^th September, 2018.