A short drive from Clifden and close to Roundstone Bay, Bengower lies in the SW of the jumble of rocky peaks that comprise the 12 Bens. It is often summited as part of the Glen Coaghan Horseshoe or in conjunction with one or two adjacent peaks. The N side is very steep and requires some easy-grade scrambling but other approaches are more benign. The views from the top are excellent esp. the sweep of bens around to Derryclare, S to Cashel Hill and the huge blanket bog and innumerate lakes that surround it.

SE. Park at L80066 48563 A [room for a few cars] and walk back the road to make your way onto Bengower's SE spur at L79679 48352 B. Head N over a prominent knoll and when you reach the col at L79437 49276 C head NW over ever-steepening rocky/grassy ground until you meet a better-defined ridge at L78424 49990 D and then head steeply N to the summit. Allow 1.5hrs+

S. Park at the hostel L77711 48234 E and head over a stile in the hostel's W fence. From here it's a relentlessly steep pull on grassy terrain to the top of Ben Lettery and then an easy down-and-up to BG. Allow 1.5hrs

W. Park at spacious L75012 49897 F and head N for about 150m before turning right at the end of a former forestry plot. It's initially gentle and boggy but after about 500m the going is firmer and steeper until the summit of Benglenisky. An easy ridge walk takes you over to BG from here. Allow 1.25hrs

Notable tracks incl. track/2436, track/3929 and, if you've got a long summer day, track/2731. Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/167/comment/4927/