Walk 4 - Gleninagh loop walk
Overview: Set in the North West corner of the Burren, this is a trail of about 3 hours walking time with spectacular views across Galway Bay and the Aran Islands. There is room to park on the side of the road approximately 100yds from the beginning of the trail. Access to this walk is through a gateway on the roadside and could be easily missed. The path can be muddy at the beginning until it reaches the top of the pass between Cappanwalla and Gleninagh mountain where it becomes more rocky. This is not a way marked way and the path more or less disappears where it leaves the mass path at the top of the pass. You would be advised to wear substantial footwear suitable for the muddy beginning and the rocky top.
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Getting there: From Ballyaghan take the R477 towards Blackhead and Fanore and after approximately three miles you will pass a turning on the right to Gleninagh Castle. There are a couple of places to park off the road just after this turning - or alternatively you could park along the lane to the castle.
The Walk: The trail would probably be best described as difficult and is a mixture of mountain path and rocky terrain which should take about 3 - 3½ hours and is about 6kms in length. From your car walk along the road in the direction of Blackhead until you reach an older property on your right that is almost directly on the roadside. Look for a gateway on your left approximately 10 to 20 yds after passing this house and you should notice the start of a path following the hedge uphill. This is the start of the old mass path which takes you up to the ridge between Gleninagh mountain and Cappanwalla and down into the valley of Gleninagh South. Follow this path to the top of the pass and cross the wall at the top. Turn right and follow this wall upwards and you should find yourself on a faintly trodden path which before long becomes increasingly difficult to follow until it disappears completely. Keep heading upwards keeping Galway Bay on your right and you will eventually reach the top which is marked with a triangulation stone.
The view from here of the surrounding hills and across Galway Bay is fantastic. From here carry on in a westerly direction towards Dobhach Bhrainin taking care as you walk over the many limestone
pavements some of which are separated with steep rocky walls. On reaching the large cairn that marks the top of this hill you will be rewarded with uninterrupted views of the Aran Islands and the coast of Clare.
From here proceed in the direction towards Blackhead. Again be careful as you descend as there are some steep rocky ridges which you will need to carefully climb down. As you proceed you should be able to make out the round stone fort of Cathair Dhuin Irghuis. Head towards this old ring fort - one of approximately 400 in the Burren - which is about 25 mts in diameter and 4 mts at its highest. From here you could return by heading back upwards towards the boundary wall that runs parallel with the coast to Gleninagh and beyond to Cappamore by keeping the wall to your left which will lead you back to the mass path.
Alternatively you could continue towards Blackhead and on reaching the green road that runs above the R477 head back along it in the direction of Ballyvaghan. Unfortunately this has been made difficult to follow towards the end when it reaches the R477 near Coolsiva Quay so I would probably advise you to follow the Boundary wall route back.
If you have time why not visit Gleninagh Castle and the Holy well before returning home.
Bog Cotton on Gleninagh Hill
