Walk 7 - Ballycuggaran to Moylussa
Overview: This walk begins from the Coilte car park at Ballycuggaran, where there is a picnic area and ample parking for a number of cars in addition to an information board with a map of the various walks in the area. The walk I have outlined deviates from these, is about 5 miles in length and takes you to the top of Moylussa which is the highest mountain in Clare at 532 mts (1745 ft) from which there are good views particularly eastwards and along the length of Lough Derg. Be warned however, although the forest walks are good underfoot – Moylussa can be very boggy so good footwear is essential. Allow 2 ½ to 3 hours to complete
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Getting there: From Killaloe take the R463 towards Scarriff and after about 2 ½ miles to 3 miles you should see the entrance to your left to Ballycuggarran marked with a board as displayed on the first hotspot on my map. If approaching from the Scarriff direction then look out for the entrance to Ballycuggaran shortly after passing Rinnaman Point and the UL activity centre. Drive up the rough track and park your car at the picnic / car park area.
The Walk: - from the car park follow the path uphill- when I did this in April 2009 this path was marked with a red disc with white footprins and directional arrow and was part of the 'Crag Wood Walk'.
Continue along this trail and after about 1½ miles it reaches a point point where it branches off to the right from the East Clare Way. Stay on the Crag Wood Walk for a further 100 yds or so until it bears right and follows a path leading downhill, – ignore this and keep to the forest road for just under a further ½ mile until you reach a gate to your left which is my hotspot 6 on the map marked as start of the grouse path – you will see some references to grouse shooting on a sign at this point.
Pass through the gate – you are now on the open slopes of Moylussa. This is quite a stiff climb with a path that disappears in places – but as a guide keep the fence to your left within sight as you climb. Near the top of Moylussa this fence joins another fence bordering a rough boggy peaty road which you will need to cross.
Once over this you can either follow the bog road or cross it and you should be able to find either of the two highspots of Moylussa – neither are clearly marked apart from the rough structure with Brian Boru and Cusack carved into it at one of the points. The top of Moylussa can be very boggy so beware – the views are well worth it though.
You can either return the way you came or follow the route I have marked – but depending on how much rain has fallen there is a particular part of this route that can be very boggy at the point I have marked on my map.
If you do return this way a short detour to the top of Feenlea mountain is worth it for the views towards Killaloe as well as those of Lough Derg.
Panorama from the top of Moylussa
