Sliabh Callan through wind farm

Into wind farm on gravel tracks (around locked gates) to visit Sliabh Callan. Same route as others but can go all the way to the top on gravel tracks now.

Start, from The Hand crossroads West uphill about 1km along the big road to wind farm entrances.

There is a map of the wind farms with numbers to call to contact site operations, officially one would contact the landowner to ask permission. There are two wind farms, Slieve Callan West and Sliabh Callan East with different contact numbers. We entered the West farm but walk was mostly in the East farm.

We went North up track, passing farmhouse.
Then come to intimidating looking gate no trespassing etc. Easy step around gate to left. Passing substation and wind farm work buildings. Uphill passing by some impressive large wind towers.

Closer to top track becomes narrow, in an eroded gulley, gravel paved all the way to the top. Lovely soft boggy terrain. Slate rock. Some forest plantation. Fraghans, foxgloves, . . .

Driving mist down on mountain for us. No views.

Back down we kept to the east, passing by lake and exit climb fence beside locked gate. Careful of yourself and fence, barbed wire. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/850/comment/20818/

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Access?

Was passing by yesterday and noticed the activity on the mountain. It is now a building site. Wind turbines are going in everywhere. Because of the forestry north and east access is limited to the south and west. All access roads south and west are now restricted to site traffic. I was informed by security that they couldn't stop me entering by foot but wouldn't recommend it or guarantee my safety! Was also informed that in 18 months when work finishes I could enter the area with no problems. I would take that with a pinch of salt. Derrybrien is severely restricted after the turbines went in. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/850/comment/18654/

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The home peak

This mountain has a personal significance for me as I could see it from our kitchen window when I was growing up and I always found myself staring over at it wondering what it was like on top and what the views were like. The mountain now has a windfarm on it and the last time I climbed it the windfarm was under construction. From the R474 at Sl Callan WF (R13554 75614) this road can be followed around to a farm building at A (R13497 76829) where it's possible to then branch off left onto the open mountain to climb a steep hill to the boggy plateau leading to the trig point on the summit.

Lovely views north to the Burren and west along the Clare coast line. Retrace your steps back to the start point. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/850/comment/20094/

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Fine views, inbetween the mist!

Left car at forestry entrance on highest point on the R474 Ennis Milltown Malby Rd. Sl Callan WF (R136 756). Walked up tracks serving a house, small quarry, forestry, turf cutting and mast. After passing through a gate, I took a straight line up a cutting to left of forest. This is a steep short climb on rough terrain which leads to a very boggy and uneven summit plateau. Trig is to right or NE from this cutting route. The farmer I met says there is a track to the top, possibly to serve turf works, but I retraced my steps back down. Fine views were had when the mist cleared. Roughly an hour depending on tracks taken. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/850/comment/6448/

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Easy Walking

After spending some fantastic days walking in Clare i ended up last Saturday at Slievecallan,parked beside farmhouse B (R15162 75644) walked up farmers pass opposite used by numerous users ...keep left at T junction C (R14458 76008) cross over gate and follow pass till you meet main forestry rd ....head towards the trig on forestry and bog pass to within 50 meters of summit keeping mast on your right Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/850/comment/6837/

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