Maumturk Mountains - Connemara
Used map: Harvey Superwalker, Connemara - The whole of the national park - The Maumturks & The Twelve Bens, 1: 30000, waterproof.
:-) Before I post more pictures I want to describe the tour in a few headwords to give you an idea of the venture.
My friends brought me to the bus station of the "Bus Éireann" in Galway at Eyre Square. After they droped me off I went to the counter to buy a ticket. But there was a problem. There was no bus to Leenaun at that day, only to Maam Cross which I chose as the destination of my hike because I had to meet my friends in Doolin. The only way to get there was by bus and it was leaving at 10 a.m. from Maam Cross in two days. Anyways, I bought the ticket to Maam Cross. I arrived there by 6.40 p.m. and started to walk the 20 km to Leenaun. If I had to walk the whole distance it would take 4 hours. While walking I tried to hitchhike. First a british couple gave me a ride to Griggins Bridge from where Leenaun is only 8 km away. So I went on. But the next car stopped and took me to Leenaun. The two french guys - working on an oyster farm at Killary Harbour - hardly spoke english. But they dropped me of by 7.30 p.m. which was early enough to go up Leenaun Hill (618 m) that evening. The adventure started.
Here the main summits I planed to cross (inspired by the german magazine "Outdoor"):
Leenaun Hill (618 m)
Letterbreckaun (667 m)
Barrslievenaroy (702 m)
Binn Chaónaigh (633 m)
Binn Mhór (661 m)
Mullach Glas (622 m)
Corcogemore (609 m)
Distance: 32 kilometers
Timeschedule:
Leenaun - Leenaun Hill: 1h 40 Lennaun Hill - 1st doss: 30´
1st doss - 2nd doss (Mt Corcogemore): 13 h 10
2nd doss - Maam Cross: 1h 30
Heightdifference (summation): 2500 m (up and 2500 m down!)
Difficulty: Moderate - hard (some steep sections, long hike, depending on conditions (rain, wind)
The tour is described in reversed order in a hiking book I have seen in a bookstore in Dublin. I used the maps in the book to plan the hike in detail.
Mt Corcogemore (609 m) from which I should finally descend back to Maam Cross and the road to Leenaun which is 20 km away.
At the junction in Griggins Bridge. In the back the Maumturk Mts with the highest peaks in the mountain range i want to cross: Mt Barrslievenaroy (702 m, right) and Mt Chaónaigh (612 m, left).
At Griggins Bridge I took this picture of the street to Leenaun and Mt Tonalee in the back.
Sunrays coming through the clouds at Killary Harbour the only fjord in Ireland.
I started in Leenaun (An Líonán) at 7.30 p.m. and went to Leenaun Hill (618 m, in the back on the left). 
The hike starts behind a gate. After 300 meter the graval road becomes a hardly visible trail. On the way up I passed several ...
... waterfalls and ...
...carnivorous plants which grew all around.
Leenaun and Killary Harbour .
On Leenaun Hill. Happy to be there after the imponderableness of the day (1h 40).
This wonderful sunset was gratification enough. Looking west and...
... north.
Leenaun and Killary Harbour seen from Leenaun Hill.
I walked fifteen minutes north-west from the summit to build up my bivouac. It was very windy but I stayed on top in hope of a beautiful sunset (2h 15).
In the morning : Leenaun Hill seen from my bivvy.
And the last half of the hike in the back. rom right to left: Mt Knocknahilion (606 m), the Maumahoge pass (347 m), Mt Barrslievenaroy (702 m), Binn Chónaigh (633 m), Binn Mhór (661 m), Mullach Glas (622 m) and Mt Corcogemore (609 m). The passes Maumeen (253 m) and Crúlscín (386 m) can hardly been seen on this picture. 
On the way to Mt Letterbrackaun (667 m) I took this picture of the west side of Leenaun Hill far on the right side. The descent follows the ridge with the gras edges. Scince I started this morning 50 minutes gone by.
An outlook what´s coming next. On the left the flank of Mt Letterbreckaun (667 m, in the middle Mt Barrlugrevagh (558 m), Mt Knocknahilion (606 m, dark) and Mt Barrslievenaroy (702 m, covered with clouds).
Mt Letterbreckaun.
Leenaun Hill was covered with grass - only a few stones. The other summits were pure rock like here on Letterbreckaun (667 m, 3h 40). The terrain changed often which makes the hike a challange apart from the distance and the hight which summs up with every mountain.
The weather got better so that I had clear views to the sea.
The sea, I and the Twelve Bens.
Maumahoge pass.
Even the sun was shining as I passed Maumahoge (Mam Ochóige) at 12.40 p.m. (5h 10).
At the lake I stopped for some minutes to find out the best way to ascent the highest summit of the tour, Mt Barrslievenaroy (702 m). The ascent looks steep and cliffy and is.
One of the dangerous steps in this ascent, this rock spur.
f
After a rest at the lake at Maumahoge I ascended to Mt Barrslievenaroy (702 m). I arrived there at 2 p.m.
The Twelfe Pins ridge.
Once more: looking south to what´s coming next ...
... and north what was so far!
On top. 702 m over sea level (6h 40).
Heading to Mt Chaónaigh (633 m) ...
from where I made a spontanious side trip to Mt Binn M?? (612 m) arising north-east.
The view from Mt Binn M?. The Telve Bens and Mt Barrslievenaroy.
Descent from the Barrslievenaroy ridge. Finally I could take of my hood for a while because I find a good place in the slip stream. The swoosh caused by the wind was gone I could enjoy the sound of the surroundings.
Mumeen pass (253 m). The Western Way uses the pass to cross the Maumturks. On the pass there´s a chapel and a holy well (9h). In the back Binn Mhór (661 m).
The chapel, a statue and a cross...
... build of the rocks lying around.
The holy well.
Looking north during the ascent to Binn Mhór. You can see the Western Way and the summits I traversed.
A typical highmoor. Looks like grasland but this bog is 30 cm deep and full of water, trust me. With scrutiny you can spot these bog areas.
The ridge between Binn Mhór (661 m) and Mullach Glas (622 m).
In the back the summit of Mullach Glas (11h 50). The last but one summit.
The last pass. Crúiscín pass (386 m) and Mt Corcogemore.
On the way to the last summit of this long hike. Mt Corcogemore.
Looking south from the final ascent.
The last summit of the hike. Mt Corcogemore (609 m). Tired, exhausted but glad (12h 40).
My bivouac over Maam Cross. It was planed to sleep without the tarp but there should be rain coming in from north-west and that forced me to build up the tarp again. The bivybag is waterproof but you get better with a tarp when it is raining. Again it was windy but especially with the opening landscape to the souh-east I was looking for the sunrise.
This time I could enjoy the sunrise. I set my alarmclock and it was worth it. But I was so exhausted that I fall asleep again soon.
5.22 a.m. Time to get up.
A glance outside my bivvy convinced me to stay in my sleeping bag until 8 a.m. It was wet, windy and cold outside so three arguments to relax more. The bus back to galway left at 11 a.m. so there was enough time for this luxury.
My Bivvy in the morning like a bird`s nest in the rocks. But it was worth it. The view to my left was this...
... and...
...this! Breathtaking!
Back in civilisation after two night in the Maumturks. The descent lasted about 90 minutes. At this gas station I bought some chocolate, a coke, dried my cloth and gear in the sun and I waited for the bus to Galway where I transfered the bus to go to Doolin where the others stayed in a summer cottage.
:-) Before I post more pictures I want to describe the tour in a few headwords to give you an idea of the venture.My friends brought me to the bus station of the "Bus Éireann" in Galway at Eyre Square. After they droped me off I went to the counter to buy a ticket. But there was a problem. There was no bus to Leenaun at that day, only to Maam Cross which I chose as the destination of my hike because I had to meet my friends in Doolin. The only way to get there was by bus and it was leaving at 10 a.m. from Maam Cross in two days. Anyways, I bought the ticket to Maam Cross. I arrived there by 6.40 p.m. and started to walk the 20 km to Leenaun. If I had to walk the whole distance it would take 4 hours. While walking I tried to hitchhike. First a british couple gave me a ride to Griggins Bridge from where Leenaun is only 8 km away. So I went on. But the next car stopped and took me to Leenaun. The two french guys - working on an oyster farm at Killary Harbour - hardly spoke english. But they dropped me of by 7.30 p.m. which was early enough to go up Leenaun Hill (618 m) that evening. The adventure started.
Here the main summits I planed to cross (inspired by the german magazine "Outdoor"):
Leenaun Hill (618 m)
Letterbreckaun (667 m)
Barrslievenaroy (702 m)
Binn Chaónaigh (633 m)
Binn Mhór (661 m)
Mullach Glas (622 m)
Corcogemore (609 m)
Distance: 32 kilometers
Timeschedule:
Leenaun - Leenaun Hill: 1h 40 Lennaun Hill - 1st doss: 30´
1st doss - 2nd doss (Mt Corcogemore): 13 h 10
2nd doss - Maam Cross: 1h 30
Heightdifference (summation): 2500 m (up and 2500 m down!)
Difficulty: Moderate - hard (some steep sections, long hike, depending on conditions (rain, wind)
The tour is described in reversed order in a hiking book I have seen in a bookstore in Dublin. I used the maps in the book to plan the hike in detail.
Mt Corcogemore (609 m) from which I should finally descend back to Maam Cross and the road to Leenaun which is 20 km away.
At the junction in Griggins Bridge. In the back the Maumturk Mts with the highest peaks in the mountain range i want to cross: Mt Barrslievenaroy (702 m, right) and Mt Chaónaigh (612 m, left).
At Griggins Bridge I took this picture of the street to Leenaun and Mt Tonalee in the back.
Sunrays coming through the clouds at Killary Harbour the only fjord in Ireland.
I started in Leenaun (An Líonán) at 7.30 p.m. and went to Leenaun Hill (618 m, in the back on the left). 
The hike starts behind a gate. After 300 meter the graval road becomes a hardly visible trail. On the way up I passed several ...
... waterfalls and ...
...carnivorous plants which grew all around.
Leenaun and Killary Harbour .
On Leenaun Hill. Happy to be there after the imponderableness of the day (1h 40).
This wonderful sunset was gratification enough. Looking west and...
... north.
Leenaun and Killary Harbour seen from Leenaun Hill.
I walked fifteen minutes north-west from the summit to build up my bivouac. It was very windy but I stayed on top in hope of a beautiful sunset (2h 15).
In the morning : Leenaun Hill seen from my bivvy.
And the last half of the hike in the back. rom right to left: Mt Knocknahilion (606 m), the Maumahoge pass (347 m), Mt Barrslievenaroy (702 m), Binn Chónaigh (633 m), Binn Mhór (661 m), Mullach Glas (622 m) and Mt Corcogemore (609 m). The passes Maumeen (253 m) and Crúlscín (386 m) can hardly been seen on this picture. 
On the way to Mt Letterbrackaun (667 m) I took this picture of the west side of Leenaun Hill far on the right side. The descent follows the ridge with the gras edges. Scince I started this morning 50 minutes gone by.A look around!
It was cloudy and the clouds were hiding the summits I would go to next. Here Mt Letterbreckaun (667 m).
Shortly after the ascent from Maumturkmore pass where is a Holy Well you have to cross a highmoor. A moor is here known as bog and you will find it everywhere.
Another view back. I came from the left edge of the picture following the ridges of the hills.
It was cloudy and the clouds were hiding the summits I would go to next. Here Mt Letterbreckaun (667 m).
Shortly after the ascent from Maumturkmore pass where is a Holy Well you have to cross a highmoor. A moor is here known as bog and you will find it everywhere.
Another view back. I came from the left edge of the picture following the ridges of the hills.
An outlook what´s coming next. On the left the flank of Mt Letterbreckaun (667 m, in the middle Mt Barrlugrevagh (558 m), Mt Knocknahilion (606 m, dark) and Mt Barrslievenaroy (702 m, covered with clouds).
Mt Letterbreckaun.
Leenaun Hill was covered with grass - only a few stones. The other summits were pure rock like here on Letterbreckaun (667 m, 3h 40). The terrain changed often which makes the hike a challange apart from the distance and the hight which summs up with every mountain.
The weather got better so that I had clear views to the sea.
The sea, I and the Twelve Bens.
Maumahoge pass.Even the sun was shining as I passed Maumahoge (Mam Ochóige) at 12.40 p.m. (5h 10).
At the lake I stopped for some minutes to find out the best way to ascent the highest summit of the tour, Mt Barrslievenaroy (702 m). The ascent looks steep and cliffy and is.
One of the dangerous steps in this ascent, this rock spur.f
After a rest at the lake at Maumahoge I ascended to Mt Barrslievenaroy (702 m). I arrived there at 2 p.m.
The Twelfe Pins ridge.
Once more: looking south to what´s coming next ...
... and north what was so far!
On top. 702 m over sea level (6h 40).Another look around!
from where I made a spontanious side trip to Mt Binn M?? (612 m) arising north-east.
The view from Mt Binn M?. The Telve Bens and Mt Barrslievenaroy.
Descent from the Barrslievenaroy ridge. Finally I could take of my hood for a while because I find a good place in the slip stream. The swoosh caused by the wind was gone I could enjoy the sound of the surroundings.
Mumeen pass (253 m). The Western Way uses the pass to cross the Maumturks. On the pass there´s a chapel and a holy well (9h). In the back Binn Mhór (661 m).
The chapel, a statue and a cross...
... build of the rocks lying around.
The holy well.
Looking north during the ascent to Binn Mhór. You can see the Western Way and the summits I traversed.
A typical highmoor. Looks like grasland but this bog is 30 cm deep and full of water, trust me. With scrutiny you can spot these bog areas.
The ridge between Binn Mhór (661 m) and Mullach Glas (622 m).
In the back the summit of Mullach Glas (11h 50). The last but one summit.
The last pass. Crúiscín pass (386 m) and Mt Corcogemore.
On the way to the last summit of this long hike. Mt Corcogemore.
Looking south from the final ascent.
The last summit of the hike. Mt Corcogemore (609 m). Tired, exhausted but glad (12h 40).
My bivouac over Maam Cross. It was planed to sleep without the tarp but there should be rain coming in from north-west and that forced me to build up the tarp again. The bivybag is waterproof but you get better with a tarp when it is raining. Again it was windy but especially with the opening landscape to the souh-east I was looking for the sunrise.
This time I could enjoy the sunrise. I set my alarmclock and it was worth it. But I was so exhausted that I fall asleep again soon.
5.22 a.m. Time to get up.
A glance outside my bivvy convinced me to stay in my sleeping bag until 8 a.m. It was wet, windy and cold outside so three arguments to relax more. The bus back to galway left at 11 a.m. so there was enough time for this luxury.
My Bivvy in the morning like a bird`s nest in the rocks. But it was worth it. The view to my left was this...
... and...
...this! Breathtaking!
Back in civilisation after two night in the Maumturks. The descent lasted about 90 minutes. At this gas station I bought some chocolate, a coke, dried my cloth and gear in the sun and I waited for the bus to Galway where I transfered the bus to go to Doolin where the others stayed in a summer cottage.
posted by Torsten at 4:19 PM
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