[RWD version 1 ] As others have reported this is a well-maintained trail, part of Connemara National Park, (and they seem to be building a new visitor centre as I write), but it has plenty of parking and facilities such as toilets, a rarity for Ireland’s beleaguered hillwalkers! Because it’s a sort of tourist attraction, it also attracts large numbers of visitors, most of whom only do the lower of the three trails, but you are never likely to be totally alone even on the upper section, and even in poor conditions. I was lucky in that respect, as most of the people there seemed to vanish as I neared the top. I climbed on a glorious winter’s day, and it’s worth saving this one for good conditions, as the views are really special. It starts on a tarred track, almost at sea level, rises gently and then branches off onto a slightly more rugged stone trail for the higher two routes. It continues up a fairly decent slope until around the 200m mark, where it becomes noticeably steeper as it zigzags up the rocky western slope. The views west towards the Atlantic shoreline are wonderful. Eventually the slope eases around the 390m mark and about 300m east of this you will reach the well-defined highpoint – a jagged rocky outcrop. Again the views to the NE over Kylemore Lough and towards the Twelve Bens to the SE are tremendous.
Rather than retrace my steps I descended along the steep eastern track that eventually loops around onto a boardwalk that links up with the original trail. A very enjoyable round trip of just over 7km.