CONNEMARA AND MAYO

Extract from 'Hill Walkers Connemara and Mayo'

(Published 1996, ISBN 0 9514547 4 9 IR£3.50/ £3.95 Stg.)

MAUMTURKS - FAILMORE CIRCUIT

Quintessential Maumturks as described in the introduction to this section. This walk is strenuous, difficult navigationally, but perhaps the most rewarding walk of all in the range - and that's saying something. In addition, it forms a natural circuit and takes in the highest peak (702m). It starts with the Western Way. and ends on a gentle moderately high grassy spur. In between. the Maumturks at their best.

Getting There: From Maum Bridge, take the road towards Maum Cross, turn first right. turn left after I .9 miles (3. I km). and drive another I mile ( 1.6km) to about the bridge where there is plenty of room for parking (GR 925524). As you approach the bridge look out on the right for a gate you can use at the end of the walk.

Walking Time: 5.5 hours (distance 13km. c1imb 840m) including 0.5 hours for one steep descent.

Difficulties: Navigation is the big problem in bad weather, with the entire high plateau requiring a quite convoluted course. The landmarks noted below are difficult enough to recognise when you need them most. If you are completely lost head south-west to avoid cliffs to the north-east.

Map: The 'Connemara' map covers the whole route more than adequately. Sheet 37 does not cover some of the lowland section and you might feel happier if it were supplemented by sheet 38. Half-inch sheets 10 or I 1 will do in fine weather.

Route: Walk onward from the bridge, taking the Western Way where the track swings left. Walk steadily uphill for over 10 minutes to cross a gate and here turn right to follow a fence which leads (but check its direction) all the way to near the summit of Binn Mhairg (61 2m. 614m. c2000ft). If you care to cross the fence some way up on this steady ascent you will find yourself on the edge of a line of high cliffs. If you haven't done so already, veer away from the right of this fence where it takes two right-angle bends. Here the ground has begun to level off and it is only a short walk to the summit. Like all summits in the Maumturks. it's unimpressive. What is impressive though is the sweep of cliff falling northward to bogland and westward to a high rocky corrie. There's much more of that terrain later!

Nearby Binn Chaonaigh (633m. 633m. 2076ft). the next summit on the route.

barely rises from the general level. though the views from it and its general setting are marvellous. In bad weather don't try to find the highest point among the rocky hummocks and lochans scattered hereabouts; instead make for the col running north-east to the next summit and carrying. would you believe. a path through the shattered quartzite stones. If you have only a half-inch map and must take a bearing from the top of Binn Chaonaigh. make it 130° compass from the summit to the col - a bearing from the half-inch map would be totally inaccurate. Beyond the col c1imb about 100m to the next section of the Maumturks plateau, the one rising to Binn idir an Da Log (702m. 703m, 2307ft). the highest point of the entire range. To reach it requires a zig-zag route. with navigation helped by a path which runs to the west of the Maumturk's rocky crest. The only other navigational aids are the long (tens of metres) bands of white quartzite running across the face of Binn idir an Da Log, that just before the summit cairn being particularly broad.

From the summit (2.75 hours) take a bearing either somewhat to the right or left of Lough Mham Oichoige (GR 8853) as the direct descent will take you over crags. The circular lake (3.5 hours) is in a lovely location. somewhat above the major col which gashes the centre of the 'Turks.

There's a tricky bit of navigation next. Contour east and then north-east from the lake (there's a guiding fence) for 400m or so. then head north up a steep grassy slope (from here on you are out of rocky terrain) and so gain the spur of Knocknagur which runs eastward to the north of the Failmore River.

The rest is easy. Follow the high ground for over 2km to a steep descent enlivened by unexpected crags. then contour onward, so that high rocky ground is close on the left. This should take you through a tiny. flat. grassy valley. hemmed in by moorland on the right and crags on the left. Veer right at its end and carefully cross fences to reach a gate leading onto the road. Turn right for the nearby start.

Bus Variations: The Bus Eireann table 419 or 420 service or the Maum service of the Connemara Bus to the junction on the R336 at GR 9355 might be useful. If you are staying in Clifden you might also take one of these buses on the way out, descend south-west from Mam OchOige, walk to Recess and here take the Bus Eireann express service table 61 or the Connemara Bus back to Clifden.

Failmore Circuit Sketch Map