Guide to Climbing Mweelrea A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE Mweelrea is one of the best mountains in Ireland to climb and, like with all good mountains, there are a few different routes to the top. Our very own expedition leader Louise Lawrence has all the insider knowledge, and has compiled a guide for the three best routes to the summit… Lou The highest point in Connaught, Mweelrea is a beauty of a mountain, set on the Murrisk peninsula in the gorgeous County Mayo. This coastal mountain, while a stunning spot in itself, also has some of the best views in Ireland once you get to the top. To the south, Connemara is laid out before you, from the white sand beaches to the Twelve Ben Mountains. Look north, and you’ve got Croagh Patrick and the whole sweeping coastline with the islands of Clew Bay dotted in the waters. All around you, there are the nearby ranges of the Twelve Bens and the Maumturks, too. How many other mountains can say they have a view that good? Mweelrea is also in a brilliant spot if you want to finish your hike with a dip – you can head out to the nearby Silver Strand or Glassillaun, two of the best beaches in Ireland. 3 Routes to the Summit At 814 metres high, Mweelrea is a fair old climb, so you want to make sure you’re well prepared for the trek. There are a few different ways to make your way to the summit. The classic Mweelrea horseshoe is made up of five tops, which include Ben Bury, Ben Lughmore and Mweelrea. That means you can either choose a linear, out and back route, or do the whole horseshoe as a loop. Bear in mind, this isn’t a mountain for beginners. Walkers need to be confident in their route finding, navigation skills, and their ability on mixed and difficult terrain. A good weather forecast is essential, as this great mountain is exposed to the Atlantic and susceptible to high winds, low clouds and quick changes, none of which are a walker’s friend! All three routes have a great mix of terrain, which makes for really interesting walking. Hillwalking tracks can be found on the higher slopes, but can be vague and non-existent on the lower ones. Most routes start in boggy or wet land, which becomes grassy and/or rocky. Many slopes are full of cliffs and corries, ensuring dramatic scenery. When parking, please use the car parks where possible and don’t block gateways or access along the roads. If in doubt about where to park, just ask! Most landowners are only too happy to point you in the right direction. If you have Mweelrea set in your sights, here are the three best routes to get to that incredible summit. 1 Silver Strand Route 8KM 3HRS The fastest and most straightforward way to the summit is the Silver Strand Route. It’s an 8km route that will take around three hours. The best part about this trail? It starts and ends right by Silver Strand, so you can leap into the sea as soon as you’re done. Start at the Silver Strand Car Park and walk up the road to a farmer’s track on the right (there is limited parking at the track entrance). Once you get to the end of the track, you head across the wet terrain to the steeper ground below the saddle, up the drier steeper slope, and then on to the top. You will be finding your own route up to the main ridge, but there is a small walker’s track to the summit. Retracing your route back to the start will give you a good half day walk. And as you are starting from the sea, you are able to get the full 800 metres of height gain! Bear in mind that the start of the walk is quite boggy, so do make sure that you’re wearing appropriate hiking boots and mind your footing. 2 The Ramp Route 13KM 6HRS While the Silver Strand route is by far the quickest way up the mountain, the longer routes take you by some beautiful sights and scenes. This more difficult linear route is the popular classic known as the Ramp Route. An added bonus? The trail starts at Doo Lough, a beautiful glacial lake surrounded by waterfalls. There are a small number of car parking spaces here, so you can set off from there. This is an exciting route that brings you over a few small streams to the steep back wall of Lughmore corrie, up the Ramp to Ben Bury and then on to the Mweelrea summit. Once you get to the top, simply retrace your route back down, using your best navigation skills! The Ramp is a really fun route, and works its way through narrow tracks and steep, dramatic ground. It’s around 13km, and takes about six hours to complete. 3 Mweelrea Horseshoe 17KM 7HRS This route is one of Ireland’s great classics. There are several start and finish options along the road from Delphi Resort to Doo Lough, so park wherever you can find a space. Keep in mind that you have to cross a river, and the flat lands are very grassy with lots of tufts. So be aware of your footing. You need to choose a line up the slope to the spot height of 790m, and then find your way along the narrow ridge to the three Ben Lugmores. From there, you continue on to Ben Bury, Mweelrea and down towards the East Spur and into the valley back to the road. You can continue along to the 495m Mweelrea East Spur, but I tend to come off just before then and head to the Sruhaunbunatrench River (what a great name!) Depending on your route choice, you will probably walk over 17km and gain over 1,500m in height. What a great achievement! Remember Mweelrea is not a mountain for beginners. If you’re not an experienced mountain hiker, it’s probably best to head up with an expert guide. Louise Lawrence is a qualified mountain guide and expedition leader, as well as the co-founder of Branch Out, an initiative that focuses on outdoor education. [email protected] branchout.ie @branchouteducateoutdoors 5 Tips for Mountain Climbing 1. Plan Ahead Always have a route mapped out before you head off, and bring a compass and map with you. 2. Tell a Friend Make sure that someone knows your route, where you’ll be heading and what time you expect to be back. 3. Bring Water and Snacks Always bring a bit more water than you think you might need – sure, you might have to make a few stops in the bushes, but it’s important to be hydrated and fed for the day, to keep your energy levels up. 4. Plan for all weathers We all know what Ireland can be like – sunny one moment, then raining the next. Make sure you pack layers and waterproofs, even if the weather forecast tells you otherwise! Mweelrea can be very dangerous in low cloud and fog, so don’t climb in those conditions. 5. Charge Your Phone Make sure you’re fully juiced and ready to go. And remember, the number for Mountain Rescue is 112. .