Cookies. This website uses cookies, which are small text files that the website puts on your device to facilitate operation. Cookies help us provide a better service to you. They are used to track general user traffic information and to help the website function properly.

Click to hide this notice for 30 days.
Welcome to MountainViews
If you want to use the website often please enrol (quick and free) at top right.
Overview
Detail
Zoom: ??
For more map options click on any overview map area or any detail map feature.
Find Suggested Walks
Find hill, mountain, island, coastal feature.
Videos

Recent Contributions
Get Notifications

Hill of Ward: Short trek to summit

St. Patrick's Rock: Short trek to summit

Slieve Dargan: Part of a treble of small hill summits

MountainViews Database Change Proposals

Carrauntoohil: Above the Clouds: 360 Degree Cloud Inversion

Broaghnabinnia West Ridge and Stumpa Duloigh Traverse

Carrauntoohil: Above the Clouds: 360 Degree Cloud Inversion

Tibradden Mountain: Great value for a short walk

Art O'Neill Challenge Recce - Lesser Known Option!

Seefin Mountain West Top: Great paths, closed boardwalk

Mangerton & Stoompa

Proctor High Mark: A rocking stone not a rolling one

Conditions and Info
Use of MountainViews is governed by conditions and a privacy policy.
Read general information about the site.
Opinions in material here are not necessarily endorsed by MountainViews.
Hillwalking is a risk sport. Information in comments, walks, shared GPS tracks or about starting places may not be accurate for example as regards safety or access permission. You are responsible for your safety and your permission to walk.
See the credits and list definitions.
Video display
Dartry Mountains Area   NW: Benbulbin Subarea
Rating graphic.
Benwiskin Mountain Binn Mhiosgáin A name in Irish 'peak of the haystack' Sligo County in Connacht Province, in Arderin List, Dark fine-grained cherty limestone Bedrock

Height: 514m OS 1:50k Mapsheet: 16 Grid Reference: G72344 49116
Place visited by 194 members. Recently by: NualaB, nupat, bowler, patman1974, farmerjoe1, wintersmick, eimirmaguire, ToughSoles, Overarroo, Carolineswalsh, FoxyxxxLoxy, PrzemekPanczyk, johncusack, a3642278, farmerjoe
I have visited this place: NO (You need to be a logged-in member to change this.)

Longitude: -8.42658, Latitude: 54.3899 , Easting: 172344, Northing: 349116 Prominence: 39m,  Isolation: 1.3km
ITM: 572293 849115,   GPS IDs, 6 char: Bnwskn, 10 char: Benwiskin
Bedrock type: Dark fine-grained cherty limestone, (Dartry Limestone Formation)

This peak is remarkable for its wave-like profile when seen from near Ballintrillick. However, it is probably its resemblance to a leaning haystack which accounts for its name. Ir. miosgán is cognate with Welsh misgawn/meisgawn, which has this meaning.   Benwiskin is the 527th highest place in Ireland.

Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/425/
COMMENTS for Benwiskin (Binn Mhiosgáin) 1 2 3 4 Next page >>  
Follow this place's comments
MountainViews.ie Picture about mountain Benwiskin (<i>Binn Mhiosgáin</i>) in area Dartry Mountains, Ireland
Picture: Benwiskin by Richard Cyganiak (CreativeCommonsLicence))
 
Once Inaccessible, this Beauty awaits you. (SEE NOTE)
Short Summary created by Peter Walker, CaptainVertigo  12 Oct 2020
With its stunning profile, often likened to a breaking wave, this gem of a mountain lies at the northern end of a lengthy broad topped ridge forming one leg of the Gleniff horseshoe. Views from the summit are spectacular. Long a hotbed of anti-walker sentiment, Gleniff, encouraged by Minister O'Cuiv, now permits strictly limited access to Benwiskin through a partly felled forest on its eastern slopes. Park at the forest entrance G736 488 starA. Follow track c 1.5km (taking left at forks) to turning bay at G726 482 starB. Head broadly South along stream/firebreak to G725 478 starC,and, emerging from the trees, turn West and up the VERY steep grassy slope of the ridge towards Spot Height 508 along an old fence, turning North before the fence ends. Utmost caution required on this section. Then walk the broad ridge to the summit taking in superb views of the ocean (and across to Donegal) West and North, and into Gleniff valley to the East. On the return journey view all the northern Dartry cliffs before retracing your route to the CarPark, or, continue South to Slievemore at the head of the valley. Be warned...getting down from the ridge to the forest will require great care. Wet conditions will make the grass very slippy. Don't be tempted to take a short cut directly from the summit to the Car Park. It looks easy but the slope steepens and there are cliff like drops near the forest. Furthermore, the tempting land to the North of the forest is "out of bounds" (Map O.S 16)

Access note (as of October 2020): the recent issue with accessing Benwisken from Gleniff as per the route described now seems to be resolved. Regardless, please exercise common sense in this area: in particular, the presence of dogs (whether on or off lead) is emphatically not welcomed by the farmer. Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/425/comment/5184/
 
MountainViews.ie Picture about mountain Benwiskin (<i>Binn Mhiosgáin</i>) in area Dartry Mountains, Ireland
Picture: Benwiskin from southern end of Benbulbin ridge
eflanaga on Benwiskin, 2006
by eflanaga  15 Mar 2006
(Climbed Sunday 13th March) After leaving Benbulbin summit (See for first part of walk) I followed a bearing of 134 degrees SE, ensuring I steered well clear of the cliff edge, for 2k then switched to a bearing of 62 degrees NE for a further 1.7k which lined me up for a 2.4k walk to Spot Height 508m (G719479 starD) which marks the start of Benwiskin’s ridge. It’s a further 1.4K to its summit. Poor visibility (sometimes dropping to around 10 metres) rain and biting wind persisted right up until I neared the Spot Height. After such a long trudge with nothing to see but peat hags I was feeling somewhat miserable and sorry for myself until suddenly the mist cleared before me revealing Benwiskin and the Sligo coast in all its glory. Fantastic views even on a murky day. The walk across the ridge to the summit is quite pleasant, slightly marshy at times and one or two peat trenches to negotiate, but otherwise no access problems or warning signs to be seen. The ridge plummets to your right down into the beautiful u-shaped Gleniff valley. There are fence posts right along the length of the ridge but there is no wire attached to these until you near the summit. Approaching the summit from this direction means the mountain’s distinct and aesthetic profile as portrayed by other contributor’s pictures (below) is much less obvious. The summit itself is unremarkable with the fence being the only man made feature. However, the views from the top are extraordinary, even on a day when the Donegal coast across the bay was not clearly visible. I decided to take a fairly leisurely lunch here as the bitter coldness of the wind had abated a little. A hot drink, a sandwich and some fruit later all was relatively well in my hillwalking world and I was ready to face my third target – Slievemore. Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/425/comment/2229/
Your Score: Very useful <<  >>Average
 
MountainViews.ie Picture about mountain Benwiskin (<i>Binn Mhiosgáin</i>) in area Dartry Mountains, Ireland
Picture: benwisken to Donegal Bay
 
gerrym on Benwiskin, 2008
by gerrym  27 Jul 2008
The dramatic profile of Benwisken seems to have been overshadowed by the difficulties over access. These difficulties where very much in mind when planning a visit to the the plateau, from which Benwisken extends northward. I approached from Glencar - taking the opportunity to walk along the line of hills and cliffs to Kings Mtn and Benbulben on the way. A late start necessitated an overnight camp which happened to be at the head of Glendarragh (708456 starE)between Benbulben and Benwisken (where the pic was taken - fairly late in the evening)

Come light i continued to circle around Glendarragh, enjoying a brief encounter with two playful fox cubs. Despite the sunlight in the valley below mist was racing over the high ground, coming up from the Glencar side. I climbed up to the prominent point on the Gleniff side (725469 starF) which is a subsidiary summit of Slievemore. This gave views steeply down into the valley from nearly 600m through the mist. The long ridge stretching out to Benwisken was well laid out from here, with Donegal Bay and the hills of Donegal providing the backdrop. There is a drop along the cliff edge and a slight rise to pt. 508m, then an easy stroll along the broad ridge itself. Pass an area of peat hags, pools of water and follow a vechile track through the grass beside a line of old bleached fence posts. This walk is a joy with views to Benbulben to the west and Truskmore and Tievebaun to the east. The last bit of the hill (beyond the top) is fenced (with a pile of new posts and wire waiting to be erected). The fence can be followed to the edge for cracking views over the lowland below, across Donegal Bay and to most of the hills of the county, with the Bluestacks to the fore along with a cloud capped Slieve League and i am certain the Sperrin mtns. To the S i had Mayo in vision out towards Belmullet.

I did see a quad bike in the valley below on the return leg but as i did not cross any fences i feel there was no need to worry about trespassing. A long trek out and back but worth it for the views. Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/425/comment/3248/
Your Score: Very useful <<  >>Average
 
SeanC on Benwiskin, 2006
by SeanC  5 Mar 2006
A lovely access to Benwiskin is to climb Benbulben from the Grange side and to walk across the mountain top (fairly flat) straight over to Benwiskin. The climb up Ben Bulben takes about 1 hour and the walk across to the summit of Benwiskin about 1.5 hours. On a clear day (and one should be careful as the mist descends very quickly and frequently) the views in every direction are spectacular.

As one nears the summit of Benwiskin, there is fencing on one side (Mr Bull's I presume) but the summit is fully accessible and thankfully the no trespassing sign which greeted me the first time I did this climb (about 1 year ago) is gone.

On the way down, one can actually descend Benwiskin (away from the Bull McCabe side which is in the Gleniff horseshoe) into the shadow of Benbulben. Small roads lead back to the main road after another hour or so. The views of Benbulben are very special as one walks around the mountain. If posssible, having two cars will avoid the need to walk along the main road back to your car. Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/425/comment/2217/
Your Score: Very useful <<  >>Average
 
tplague on Benwiskin, 2006
by tplague  13 Mar 2006
I have driven up in the glen there to see that famous Ben Wiskin view, and I told myself I will walk up that edge some time. Is there really no possibility of requesting permission from the aforementioned "Bull". I'm always appalled when someone "owns" a special mountain, and can block all access. I certainly understand one not wanting a place trashed however. Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/425/comment/2216/
Your Score: Very useful <<  >>Average
 
brenno on Benwiskin, 2008
by brenno  23 May 2008
As somebody who made the unwelcome acquaintance of The Bull more than 10 years ago, I've still managed to climb Benwiskin - and it's feasible as long as you don't start from the Gleniff valley. My last route was un Ben Bulbin through Kings Gully and then follow the ridge over to Benwiskin. It6's a gorgeous walk - only downside is yopu have to retrace your steps if you want to avoid descending to Gleniff and take the chances of an enconter with the Bull. Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/425/comment/3122/
Your Score: Very useful <<  >>Average
 
COMMENTS for Benwiskin (Binn Mhiosgáin) 1 2 3 4 Next page >>
(End of comment section for Benwiskin (Binn Mhiosgáin).)

OSi logo OSNI/LPS logo
Some mapping:
Open Street Map
(Various variations used.)
British summit data courtesy:
Database of British & Irish Hills
(Creative Commons Licence)
MountainViews.ie, a Hill-walking Website for the island of Ireland. 2400 Summiteers, 1480 Contributors, maintainer of lists: Arderins, Vandeleur-Lynams, Highest Hundred, County Highpoints etc