bryanmccabe on Lackavrea

With snow forecast for 20/12/09, I made a last-minute decision the previous night to take a short hike to experience Connemara in the snow. Where better to get maximum reward for minimum effort than Lackavrea. Parked in a lay-by on the road between Maam Cross and Maam village where the ridge from the mountain turns to meet the road. The photo, taken from the road, shows the peak sticking up from low haze in the immediate aftermath of a heavy snow shower. Followed the curving ridge and reached the summit in an hour at a gentle pace with plenty of photo stops. Views from the top were very impressive, especially northwards towards Leenane and east and south east over Lough Corrib. (See below for photo over Lough Corrib, and also Corcog). Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/846/comment/4307/

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natalie0208 on Lackavrea

We hiked up Lackavrea after having found a walk description in the Walking World Ireland March / April 08 issue. You can start and finish this walk at the car park for Doon Island (GR: M035, 494).

The walk starts on a paved road which turns very soon into a nice path. Gradually the path becomes smaller and smaller until it almost disappears. Nevertheless navigation isn't very difficult because you can always keep close to the Lough Corrib and Lackavrea (pictured) is the only substantial hill on the lakeside. This is also the reason why this walk and this little hill have something to offer, because the views to the East over the Lough Corrib as well as the ones to the West to the Maumturks are absolutely stunning.

The whole walk described in the magazine covers a distance of 13 km (450 m ascent). In other word it is not demanding, it's very unlikely to meet anybody else (not like Errigal on a sunny Saturday) and the views are worth the effort. The time in the WWI has been estimated with 4 - 4 1/2 hours, although I have to say that it took us more like 5 hours, which might come down to lacking experience in bog walking. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/846/comment/3548/

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bryanmccabe on Lackavrea

View east over Lough Corrib from the summit of Lackavrea. Note the five crannogs or ring forts (?) in a line along the centre of the photo, two of which are in the water. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/846/comment/4308/

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Splendid isolation

Lackavrea Hill has it all - a well defined rocky summit, a great aesthetic, stunning views in all directions, good solid terrain - everything that is except height. As it falls just short of the 400m mark, it tends to be ignored by many baggers, which is to their loss, as on a clear, sunny day, which I had, it affords a panorama of views that are among the finest in the country. As it stands in isolation, no matter which way you turn you will be blessed with a wonderful vista - the mountains of Joyce country to the north, Lough Corrib to the east, the Maumturks to the west and perhaps best of all, the patchwork of loughs stretching as far as the eye can see to the south. Next time you're in the area, don't drive past - give yourself a treat. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/846/comment/14996/

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Wet and Wonderful

We climbed Lackavrea in January after a few days of rain. The walk was boggy for quite a bit but once you get past the first 500m or so and onto the hill it is not too bad. The climb itself was fine, a couple of parts required a bit of a scramble. There is a fence that goes all the way to the top and we found that following it was the most direct route. The view is amazing, the Partry mountains to the North, Lough Mask and Lough Corrib to the East, Lough Manwee and many lakes to the south, The twelve bens to the west and a view of the sea. Unbelievable!!! Coming down was a bit tricky with the wet ground but overall I would recommend this climb. It took about 2 1/2 hours up and down. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/846/comment/15302/

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