Binn Mhairg or ‘Peak of Woe’ has a slightly off-line location. Situated as it is at the end of a ridge extending 500 metres north from Binn Chaonaigh, it is just that bit too isolated to attract many walkers traversing the main Maamturks ridge. However it is well worth a visit for the exceptional views across a huge corrie to the Binn idir an dá Log massif.

Binn Mhairg can be reached from Maumeen, the col between Binn Mhòr and Binn Chaonaigh. The upper levels of these mountains are pure quartzite, so good footwear is needed to walk on the fields of shattered stone and narrow trails carved out by countless boots. The approach from Maumeen can be started from the car park at L893 495 A. From the car park it is a climb of 150 metres up to the col. Follow the good track up to the col, where there is a Chapel and Holy Well.

The direct route from Maumeen is to head approximately north for around 1.2k until you reach the ridge that extends east from the summit of Binn Mhairg. Then head up this ridge to the top.

You can also go up Binn Chaonaigh from Maumeen over initial steep grassy slopes and then shattered rock. Care is needed throughout the walk as some sections are steep. From Binn Chaonaigh head NNE for 500 metres, dropping slightly before climbing to the small summit of Binn Mhairg.

Any walk in the Maamturks should be undertaken with care as there are few escape options if bad weather descends or you get tired. Good navigation is required as there are steep drops and cliffs waiting to greet those who lose their route. Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/252/comment/5012/

The quartzite slabs on the NE flank of Binn Mhairg make a good scramble, one of the best in the Maum Turks. They are reachable by traversing round from the Mam Ean track, pathless but largely grassy and nothing like as rough as much of the range. The scramble is long and quite serious as the slabs cover a huge chunk of hillside, but they never get too hard (Grade 2, I reckon) and there is pretty much always an easier way at any point. It's a pretty unfrequented corner so there is a fair bit of loose rock about, but the slabs themselves are pretty solid. From the summit it's easy to loop round over Binn Chaonaigh and drop back down to Mam Ean - rough, of course, but then this is the Turks! Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/252/comment/19797/

Didn't bother with Binn Mhairg (I was in a group of 14 and not all were keen on the detour!), but it's a simple trot down the ridge from Binn Chaonaigh. Photo shows this ridge, with Binn Mhairg on the left. Taken from Binn idir an Dá Log SE top (pt 659). Binn Mhór et al are visible in the background (29.03.2003) Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/252/comment/407/

In October 2009 I first visited Binn Mhairg and have been back a few times since to this little gem. After studying the map and observing the terrain, I opted for a nice little loop walk from the east, taking in both Binn Chaonaigh and Binn Mhairg. The east ridge of Binn Mhairgh is never too steep. Just be aware the short grazed grass on the ridge is very slippy when wet.

This scenic little walk gives a good impression of the beauty and roughness of the Maamturks. Views are outstanding all along. The walk is easily accomplished in three to four hours. However I'd recommend to add sufficient time to take in the stunning views and maybe do some additional exploring outside the trail (lakes and other summits / viewpoints).

The walk starts at the small carpark on the northeast side of Maumean col. You reach this carpark by following the Maumean signs from the Maam valley road. If you come from Maam Cross you take the small road left just before Maum bridge.

From the carpark you follow the road for a few hundred meters until the bend. Here follow the Western Way signs up to Maumean col. Upon reaching the col ascend straight north starting from the left of the chapel. A bit higher up you'll notice a fence on your right. You basically follow this fence, which you keep well to your right, almost all the way to the top of Binn Chaonaig. Note that the terrain right next to the fence is very eroded because most walkers simply stick to the fence. From the top follow the easy ridge to the NNE. Upon reaching Binn Mhairg descend its east ridge. Again there is a fence which you keep close on your left hand side and follow all the way to the valley floor.

The track is here: http://mountainviews.ie/track/3557/ Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/252/comment/19615/

07/02/09 - The Coum between Binn Caoinigh/Mhairg and Binn idir da log SE . Mhairg is the rocky outcrop in shade right of centre. Pic also has Binn idir da log summit. 10Mb version available. Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/252/comment/3567/

Seven years later, I finally made it down those last 450 metres or so to Binn Mhairg's summit. As I suspected, it's an easy walk down from Binn Chaonaigh, with just a little steep pull at the end to give you pause for thought and to justify its 15 metre prominence figure. It's worth taking the detour if you're doing the central Maamturks ridge walk, as it gives you a slightly different perspective on Binn Idir an dá Log. I'm not sure why it's called 'peak of woe', though! Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/252/comment/4524/