simon3 on Cushbawn

Having seen comments such as "exasperating afternoon", "challenge in navigating territory", "forestry far more extensive than depicted" etc. I was concerned to find an easier way. Here it is:

Park in the fake village of Macreddin at C (T12395 82350) or nearby.

Go south about 200m on the road until you come to Macreddin Bridge (not fake and shown on the map). There is a track on the eastern side of the river there with what looks like a Coillte sign inviting you to walk. (The only drawback to this is the risk of being hit by a golf ball.) Go south around 1km on this coming to a junction at A (T12928 81178). There is a sign there for a walk for Sean Linehan (a former Garda in nearby Aughrim). Turn left (north) onto this track which has a narrow gate and is intended for walkers as opposed to a nearly parallel forest road.

Navigation to the summit is then easy. Just follow tracks heading NE and gaining height until you reach the summit.

Getting back is possible by simply reversing your steps or you can use a series of tracks to emerge from the forest at D (T128 852), a route I may describe in more detail as a MV walk.

Note 1. Macreddin: Although comfortable as a place to stop it is fake because there is a pretend bar, shops etc with no locals and highish prices all managed by a golf hotel built somewhere around 2005-2006. I wonder will the recession of 2009 kill it off. [Update, later in 2009, the golf course appears to have had serious problems]

Note 2. The OS 1:50k map and OSI Trailmaster to hand in 2009 didn't show any of this golfing development which means that map derived routes to Cushbawn from its SW will be wrong. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/840/comment/3686/

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simon3 on Cushbawn

From Preban Hill there is this view of Cushbawn from the SE showing the ragged forest on that side. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/840/comment/4283/

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wicklore on Cushbawn

I decided to approach Cushbawn from the E and therefore parked at the forestry entrance at E (T154 841). There is another forestry track just W of this point which would appear to lead directly to the saddle below Cushbawn, but I chose the first track. Soon after starting out I took the right hand path when the track split. I followed the track for another 15 minutes until I reached a t-junction where I turned right. Following the track brought me to a mobile phone mast fully built and protected by security fencing-there was also a sign explaining that Retention Planning Permission was being sought for this. It is interesting how they built it first and are seeking permission later. Just after the mast the track ends so I turned right into the trees along a rough grassy track at F (T153 832). This brought me through the trees to a clear felled area. I headed W across this area to a fence that separates the forestry from grassy farmland. By heading right (N) along the sturdy fence I found a place where a large branch had fallen on it making it possible to cross the fence. I then headed NW downhill across the large meadow to a corner where two fences meet the forest at G (T149 833). A rough forest ride extends W from here, and I followed it for about 700 metres, passing a lookout platform similar to one I had seen on Tinoran Hill last year. The going is tough at times here but eventually I reached a forest track at H (T142 834). This track headed S steeply uphill to the summit area of Cushbawn at I (T141 830). The views were lovely and the good weather made the Blackstairs shimmer in the haze to the south. I decided to find an alternative route down and so I headed directly E from the summit across heather and downhill towards forestry. By following an old line of fence posts I reached the trees and followed a firebreak down to a forest track at J (T143 829). I turned left and followed it until I came to a point where the track bends and there is a curious little pond/puddle teeming with frogspawn. (K (T147 831)). I walked directly into the trees here and using my compass I headed E for about 250 metres. This section was the usual bending, crawling and branches whipping my face. However I eventually reached the grassy farmland at L (T149 831), emerging from the forest at a rusted cylindrical tank. This was the same meadow reached earlier on the way up so I just retraced my route back to the car from here. The walk was about 2 hours in total. While not the most straightforward route, it provided plenty of challenge in negotiating terrain, navigating through forest and exploring new territory. Be careful using map 62 as it does not depict the forestry on this hill accurately. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/840/comment/3645/

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Walk from Ballinaclash

Cushbawn is also reachable as a walk (or run) from Ballinaclash, perhaps en route to Brook Lodge Macreddin. Park at Ballinaclash and take road that goes steeply uphill at Phelans pub. Stay on this road for a few kilometres. You pass one forest entrance on the left - don't take it. The forest entrance you want is the 2nd one on fhe left, which you encounter after the tarmac road runs out and becomes a rougher quality track. Follow the fire road from the yellow barrier for c. 2 kilometers steadily upwards. At this stage any left turn up through the forest breaks will bring you onto the track that loops around Cushbawn. You might see some marking tape hanging form the trees where a local has marked out a direct line to the Cushbawn track. This short section is quite rough having been left over from previous forest clearing. Once you reach the track through the trees its a left turn then a right turn directly up to Cushbawn summit. Retreat back to Ballinaclash the same way or carry on down past golf club to Brook Lodge for post walk refreshment. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/840/comment/20073/

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madfrankie on Cushbawn

I can only echo what CSD has already said - forestry is far more extensive than depicted on the OS map, particularly on the eastern side and around the summit. We tried a straightforward approach, ascending along the edge of the forestry to the NW. Farmland is very much in evidence, as was deer hunting, with several groups of camouflage-wearing gun-toting predators. Passing the bizarre sight of a severed deer head lying on the ground, we walked up a muddy track to the summit. Our descent west to Macreddan was made more difficult by the difference between tracks indicated on the map and the reality on the ground. Eventually we emerged from forestry at a golf course as the light had almost faded. A half hour walk in the dark back to the car ended a somewhat exasperating afternoon. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/840/comment/3427/

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