Taking the R253 from Ballybofey, continue about 18km passing through the tiny hamlet of Commeen. A few km further you will see a narrow road to your left at point 976 967 A. Drive down this, crossing a narrow bridge, the road swings to the right and deteriorates in quality, becoming an unsurfaced track just past a farmhouse. (As a courtesy, you make wish to ask the farmer if it is ok to continue along the track, although he was very accommodating the day I was there.) There is a grassy lay-by 100 m past the farm. Park here and head directly up the back of the parking area, moving directly east. The climb is quite steep but straightforward. The going is pretty firm with a few squishy spots, long reedy grasses which ease as you ascent, becoming a mixture of grass, rocks and heather, although nothing too difficult. You will ascent 500m is less than a km so it is steep, after which it finally eases a little as you approach the top, which is quite distinct and marked by a fine cairn. There are excellent views to be had of the nearby Bluestacks and Errigal and associated mts to the north. Time from car to summit: 1 hour. Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/334/comment/5094/

Pic shows Gaugin Mt. as seen from the R253, with the Effernagh River in the foreground. Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/334/comment/15164/

The start of this walk is reached by the narrow road encircling the mountain (off the R253), which crosses a very narrow bridge and is tarmac for the most part. After passing a couple of houses there is a layby to park (972952 B) before the gate (can open) barring way to the forestry plantation. Continue along the track into the forest, recent harvesting giving the scent of the freshly cut timber stacked at the sides of the track. There is a gradual rise and short drop before reaching a walkers signpost heading for the side of Glascarns Hill - there is now a clear area rising through the trees to the left up Gaugin. As rise through the trees the view opens out along the length of the Reelin river valley and the main ridge of the Bluestacks. The going is surprisingly good, though wet. Cross the boundary fence for the forest and folow it uphill, with the high gap of Struell taking sight beyond the near vertical sides of Glascarns Hil. There is an area of thick spongy ground which thankfully eases near to the rockier top. I reached the cairn in 1 hr 10 mins. There are magnificent views from the top - N to the jagged ridge of the Urris Hills and Ragtin More with part of Lough Foyle visible, W a line of cloud was brushing Muckish, capping the Aghlas, Macknoght and Errigal but leaving Slieve Snaght bathed in golden sunshine, Aran Island, the Maghera cliffs, Slieve League, Culcaigh and the Sperrin mtns were also within easy sight. Locally there are great perspectives on the Bluestacks themselves, none more so than the steep ground surrounding Cronloughan as it rises up to Glascarns Hill. If the east wind had not been so strong and biting i could have spent considerably longer on the summit. I dropped down due W, picking up the forest boundary and following the fence downhill alongside an area of extrensive clearfell, a quick 1/2 hour descent brought me to the car. Probably best done on its own but well worth the effort for the commanding views over the rest of the Bluestacks and most of Donegal. Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/334/comment/2254/

The summit area has views in many directions such as towards the Derryveaghs, the rest of the Bluestacks and the Inishowen Penisula.

Perhaps for the reason given by murphysw it also has a magnificent cairn, seen here in front of a skyline with some of the best loved summits of Donegal including (l to r) Slieve Snaght (Derryveagh), Errigal and to the right of the cairn, Muckish. Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/334/comment/14757/

Gaugin (pronounced Gaw-geen by the locals) is definitely worth climbing if you want to experience the Bluestacks and have only a few hours free. This is due to its accessability, its right beside the R253. If you are coming out of Ballybofey heading towards Glenties you should take the left fork at the Protestant church four miles out from Ballybofey. Four twisty miles further on you should be in the townland of Commeen, recognisable by the Reelin pub and a disused post office. Gaugin should now be visable on the left in the distance. Its quite a malevolent looking mountain, towering darkly over the lesser mountain of Slieve Mullagh. Its anything but, and is a very easy climb. Drive on another three miles and take a left into an area known as the Croaghs. (I think thats how you spell it, its pronounced 'crows'. In any case you are now in the heart of one of the most famous Gaelic speaking areas of the county). The Croaghs road will take you right to the foot of Gaugin. The Croaghs is now a very sparsely inhabited area and there is no shortage of places of leave the car. I climbed the mountain many years ago as a child, and remember the climb as being quite quick and easy. The ground wasn't bad either, and not as boggy as i had expected. At the summit is a large cairn (which is clearly visible from Commeen). My Uncle, a local, said it was traditional to add a stone to the cairn if you climbed the mountain. The summit affords great views of the Bluestacks to the south. You are literally towering over Slieve Mullagh below you to the East. I wouldn't bother hiking over onto it. I climbed this mountain separately, and it wasn't a pleasnt experience. The ground is very boggy and my brother fell waist deep into a paticularly soggy bit near the summit. The rest of us kept stepping in holes full of bog water so that it slopped in over our wellies. From the Croaghs, reaching the summit of Gaugin shouldn't take you more than an hour an a half. Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/334/comment/1214/

I took this picture of Gaugin when I driving in the Croaghs after climbing Lavagh More. Gaugin is a kidney shaped mountain. The concave east side is nearly always in shadow and very imposing looking. This picture is of the convex west side which is always brighter, although this makes the mountain look much smaller. I was struck by the amount of damage done by cutting down the forestry, really defaces the mountain. Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/334/comment/1802/