Easy hike with remarkable scenery

It's definitely one of the most scenic and resplendent areas of the west coast. Compared to other parts of Connemara, not as many visitors manage to get to this very scenic area. It's mostly locals out and about.

Hiking Cleggan Head: Park at the gravel parking area on the right-hand-side before you enter Cleggan Farm Cottages. The owners of the entire area allow walkers through the property and all they ask is to close all farm gates. The 4500-year-old Cleggan Court Tomb is down by the stone wall overlooking the water, just after the second gate. For the hike, continue on for a few minutes until you see the third gate. Veering right up Cleggan Head will take about 15-20 minutes to the summit, where you will encounter the partial remains of the Napoleonic Tower. The views from the summit are extraordinary and like nothing else on show in Connemara. The elevated view of High Island is like no other and one of the best preserved early Christian monastic settlements, lies thankfully undisturbed.

If the hike seems a little much, then the walk is well worth the effort too. Continue on through the third gate where on the left side you will see the memorial dedicated to the lost seamen in the Cleggan area. The fourth gate finally leads to secluded cove sheltering a wonderful small beach. Visually it looks so much better when the tide is out, it's striking, Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/1352/comment/20323/

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An Cnocán Bán (Knocknabaun Hill)

This must be by far the easiest route to take to the summit of An Cnocán Bán near Cleggan. Drive up towards Cleggan Farm Holiday Cottages. Park in the parking spaces just shy of the working farm and cottages (approx Cleg H (L61005 58829)). If you meet the owners do let them know that you plan to walk to the summit - they're very accommodating. Walk straight on until you meet a gate (at approx A (L60835 58947)). This can be unlatched - do make sure to close it again. Walk straight on towards the next gate. This can also be unlatched. Once you pass through you will see another gate to your right. This is secured by a rope so climb the fence to the left of the gate and follow the track next to the wall on your right (for 50 or so yards) before heading for the summit. The views from the summit are some of the very best in the area - a signal tower (now in ruins) was situated there for this reason. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/1352/comment/18386/

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view of the summit.

This is a picture of Knockaunbaun from the south. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/1352/comment/20754/

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