MountainViews: Info on Croaghaun SW Top (664m) in area Achill/Corraun

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Achill/Corraun Area Achill Subarea

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Maximum height for area: 688 metres

Summits in area: 11

OS Map(s): 22, 30 for all tops

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Croaghaun SW Top Mountain	Mayo County
For origin of name, see Croaghaun.
Height: 664 metres	OS 1/50k Mapsheet: 22/30 for top
Grid Ref: F55365 05842	Latitude: 53.981665 Longitude: -10.205488
ITM: 455346 805852	Prominence: 39m Isolation: 0.6km
This is a lower top just 600m W of Croaghaun itself. A little caution is required on the summit in poor visibility due to the precipice to the N. Offshore winds, which can blow walks towards or even over the cliffs, are not unknown here. Croaghaun SW Top is the third highest mountain in the Achill/Corraun area and the 166th highest in Ireland. Croaghaun SW Top is the most westerly summit in the Achill/Corraun area. Our data has reached 85% of the goal for this summit. (Details)

COMMENTS for Croaghaun SW Top

MountainViews.ie Picture about mountain Croaghaun SW Top in area Achill/Corraun, County Mayo, Ireland

Picture: Croaghan SW Top from Croaghan summit. Achill Head background right. Expand pics.

A cliff-top perch

Short Summary created by Harry Goodman, scapania 20 Oct 2011 Park at the end of the road at beautiful Keem strand (F560 042 (Point A)) and head up the steep slope west and then SSE to the cliff edge on Moyteoge Head around F557 037 (Point B). Once there it is worthwhile walking about 200m SE to the old signal station at Pt 198, for the sweeping view around the S and W coast of Achill. Follow the rough track along NW for about 1.5k to F545 048 (Point C), enjoying the views. From here, if you have a good head for heights and plenty of time, a detour can be made out to rugged Achill head to the west, otherwise, head down NE to the broad col with Croaghaun F547 050 (Point D) past two small loughs and then go very steeply up heathery slopes to reach the south west top, from where the ground opens up in front of you to reveal the ocean far below. Return by way of ascent or more likely, having done the hard work, contour NE around the high rim of the almost sheer NW face for about 600m with little ascent to the top of Croaghan. Take particular care in windy or misty conditions. Return by way of ascent down to the col and follow the stream back down SE past Pt 194 (F549 048 (Point E)) to the starting point on Keem Strand.

Point A: F560 042	Point B: F557 037	Point C: F545 048
Point D: F547 050	Point E: F549 048	(turn area map On)

Comment Rating (3.00)

Picture: Serenity Expand pics.

by wicklore 23 Mar 2009 If lucky enough to be on Croghaun SW Top on a good day the views south and south east are spectacular. On the left are the cliffs of Minaun with Croagh Patrick in the distance beyond. On the right is Knockmore on Clare Island, and further back is the Mweelrea range on the right with the Sheeffry's to the left. Croghaun could indeed be a candidate for a remote and isolated mountain-however the sprawl of holiday homes in Keel and around Achill Island are visible to the east taking away somewhat from the remote feeling. Also there was a constant stream of jet trails in the sky as this must be a major route for cross-Atlantic air traffic. But don't despair-just don't look up or to the east!

(Comment Rating 4.57) Your Score: Very useful << >>Average

Picture: Summit of Croghaun SW Top Expand pics.

by wicklore 23 Mar 2009 The question has been asked if Croghaun SW Top really qualifies as a separate summit. I can tell you that after the steep climb up to it, and with a drop of 664 metres to the sea below just feet away it certainly felt like a seperate summit. From Croghaun or Achill Head it appears to be pyramid-shaped. My photo shows a close-up of the bulbous summit. Be warned-a steady easterly wind blows here, even during the excellent weather last Thursday. This easterly wind will easily help unwary walkers over the edge to oblivion. I would certainly classify this as a separate summit, albeit an easy to reach offshoot of the main Croghaun summit.

(Comment Rating 4.50) Your Score: Very useful << >>Average

Picture: Ghostly face on Croghaun SW Top Expand pics.

by wicklore 23 Mar 2009 This is Croghaun SW Top in all its glory. It is a very worthy climb with spectacular views east over Achill and beyond, and west almost to New York. (I said almost!) Plus there is the added bonus of being on the only summit in Ireland with a giant ghostly face on its seaward facing cliffs. (Or is it just me that sees it?)

(Comment Rating 4.43) Your Score: Very useful << >>Average

Picture: Croaghaun Expand pics.

by gerrym 28 Aug 2007 As with most others I started this walk from the carpark at Keem, the road to here has to be mentioned for its unhindered drops to the sea below. From the ample carpark at the blue flag beach a 20 minute climb reaches the old signal tower at the start of a long line of cliffs ending in Achill Head. From here there are unending views over the Atlantic, to the big hills of Connemara (Mweelra, Sheffrey Hills and Twelve Bens) and the Nephin Begs and cliffs of Menawn. Ahead there is 3 km of cliffs jutting skyward, with the sound of the waves pounding below and the wind howling atop the ridge. On reaching Achill Hill it looked a promising side trip, but not in the wind today, another time definitely. Drop steeply downhill to cross a stream not far above sea level - the climb ahead taunting all the while have been dropping and it has been rising. Fascinating sitting watching the Atantic swell here as it drops and rises about 2-3 metres against the rocks, exploding into white spray.
After the stream the ascent of Croagaun begins on grassy slopes. The wind was really howling and i found it difficult to walk upright at times - out to sea the wind lifted spray from the crests of waves high into the air. Pass a large isolated boulder and the ground changes in character, becoming more rocky. Great perspective of Achill Head from this height. Views out to a small island with a light house which is just off the map so i don't know its name. There is a level area before a short rise to the SW top and the cliffs of Croagaun come into full spectacular view. From the clear top earlier in the day cloud was now floating around the summits. The views are fantastic, especially 2000 ft down to the Atlantic below, although i nearly had to lie down to peer over the edge in the wind. Continued on to the summit itself.

(Comment Rating 3.91) Your Score: Very useful << >>Average

Expand pics.

by skyehigh 21 Mar 2005 Surely this is some of the most spectacular coastline anywhere?

(Comment Rating 3.45) Your Score: Very useful << >>Average

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