Walk 2 - Abbey Hill loop walk

Overview: Set in the North East corner of the Burren, this is a trail of about 2 hours walking time with spectacular views across Galway Bay. There is room to park on the Green road at the beginning of the trail which is not way marked and can be hard to follow in places. You would be advised to wear strong footwear as it is quite rocky in places, but not particularly boggy.

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walking in ireland image spacer picture of St Patricks holy well on Abbey hill map of abbey hill
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stone pillar at St Patricks well Martello tower from abbey hill view from Abbey Hill Galway Bay from Abbey Hill Summit of Abbey Hill Oughtmama from Abbey Hill Abbey Hill loop walk

Getting there: Take the N67 from Kinvarra to Ballyvaghan for approximately 3 miles at which you will reach a junction with two roads branching to the left. Take the second of these - the one that leads up the hill forming the Corker Pass towards Carran and take a right turn just before the top of the pass onto a green road and park your car here.

The Walk: The trail would probably be described as difficult and for those who are not sure footed or suffer with weak ankles this would probably be the case. Distance covered would be just over 3 kms with a walking time of between 1½ to 2 hours. The ground is not particularly boggy but you would be advised to wear appropriate footwear and dress accordingly.

I walked this in February 2009 with my wife and it took us exactly two hours - she is not sure footed and suffers with weak ankles. From the car follow the green road for approximately 100 yards and take the first gap in the wall

on your left where you will see the beginnings of a track leading up the hill. Follow this and fairly soon you will reach a point where it forks. From here on either path will lead to the top, but whichever of these paths you choose to follow neither are clear from this point onwards. If you loose them just keep climbing upwards and you are bound to reach the top eventually. From the top of the hill there are magnificent views across Galway bay.

From the large pillar on the summit and the adjoining wall that leads in a westerly direction, follow the path to the right of the wall. Continue following this path which becomes more well trodden as it leads away from the wall at the bottom of a steep rocky outcrop, that then veers away to the right, until the path reaches the green road. Turn right at this point and follow the path back to your car. En route you will pass St Patrick's well which is marked by a large stone pillar to the right of the green road. This well is for the healing of your skin

Abbey Hill from Oughtmama

picture of Abbey Hill