Gleann Chochán Horseshoe

This is probably the finest walk of its kind in Connemara, if not in the whole of Ireland. There are six peaks in total, along this route.
These are:

• Binn Dhoire an Chláir (Derry Clare) (677m)
• Binn Chorr (711 m)
• Binn Dhubh (696 m)
• Binn Bhraoin (691 m)
• Binn Gabhár (664 m)
• Binn Leitrí (666 m)

It is a long trek, so ensure you bring adequate supplies of food and clothes for a long day in the mountains. This is a difficult route and should therefore be attempted by experienced mountaineers. Some scrambling is required along the route and there is a particularly steep decent down a scree slope on the south face of Binn Bhraoin.

Route Description

From where you parked the car, start the ascent of the South ridge of Binn Dhoire Chláir. There are a number of false tops along the route up this ridge towards the summit. From the summit of Binn Dhoire Chláir, descend over a broad boggy ridge and ascend over a couple of false tops towards the second peak, Binn Chorr. This peak offers spectacular views into the glaciated hanging valleys on the Inagh Valley side. The corries are known as Log an Choire Mor on the south and Log an Choire Bhig to the north. The eastern ridge of Binn Chorr forms the arrete between these two fine corries.

From Binn Corr descend down onto the saddle known as Mám na bhFonsai (not marked on the O.S.M) and ascend again to the next summit Binn Dhubh (the Dark Peak). The summit of Binn Dhubh offers spectacular views of Gleann Eidhneach and MaolRí, the highest mountain in Connacht, further north. From the summit of Binn Dhubh descend the steep rocky slopes to Mám Eidhneach, the coll between Binn Dhubh and Binn Bhan . The decent requires some scrambling from time to time. From Mám Eidhneach continue along the crescent shaped ridge to Binn Bhraoin, avoiding the rocky cliffs on the North side. If you are an experienced Mountaineer and enjoy scree running, you will accomplish the decent from Binn Bhraoin in no time. Those with less experience should thread carefully over this scree slope. I remember descending this at night time, and noticed alot of sparks from flint below my boots. You loose approximately 220 meters altitude here.

The ascent to the next peak, Binn Gábhar (L783506) is a direct one. If one is adventurous one can choose the more difficult route, the scramble along a buttress on the left. Those with less experience should avoid the buttress. One has a choice here to descend the East ridge of Binn Gábhar (and risk the contempt of the purists) and return to the startpoint along the valley floor. It is worth noting this as a handy evacuation route should you need it.

The second choice involves the final ascent from Binn Gábhar to Binn Leitrí, the final peak is relatively gentle and can be completed in approximately 25 minutes (if one is not too tired!). Finally, from the summit of Binn Leitrí descend Eastwards down onto the floor of Gleann Chochán and walk Eastwards across the valley floor to the startpoint. Alternatively, one could descend down behind the Hostel and return by road. If you are walking with a party, it would be an idea to leave a second car parked near the Hostel.

I would recommend Ballinahinch Castle for a well earned rest and some good food and refreshments. Cheap accommodation is available in the Ben Leitrí Hostel, but you may have to book in advance.