A man-made trail to the top and great views when you get there make Connemara's Diamond Hill a great option for all walkers, writes Paul Cullen
EVERYONE SHOULD "have a St Stephen's Day mountain, some handily placed peak on which to work off big dinners and imbibe month-sized rations of fresh air without bursting a gut. Hills like these offer maximum value for money for the walker, measured as per the view provided for effort expended. Wicklow has the Sugarloaf, Kerry has Mangerton, but my choice for a brisk walk is Diamond Hill in Connemara.
Climbing "the Diamond" is a rite of passage around here, yet you'll never be knocked down in the rush up its slopes. At 440 metres, it's a mere hillock compared to the 12 Bens across the valley, yet on a fair day its views of sea and mountain are unrivalled.
The Diamond is unique among Irish mountains in having a man-made trail leading all the way from its base to the top. The trail was put in by the Office of Public Works to combat the erosion caused by thousands of pairs of boots clambering over the fragile bog each year.
Manmade walkways aren't always a good idea in the mountains but this at least was a job sensitively done.
Helicopters were used to bring in materials thereby minimising damage and the stone used for the track is relatively unobtrusive. Much of the wood originally purchased for the walkways could not be used because of the danger of creosote leaching into the soil.
The path halves the time it takes to climb the Diamond to about an hour, and opens up the route to casual walkers. While challenging and steep in parts, particularly in bad weather, you won't get lost and specialised footwear isn't required.
There is plenty to see down in Letterfrack, though the avid walker might want to leave the village sights to the end. From the village crossroads, head up towards the park past the infamous reformatory, now painted an optimistic deep red and yellow. The hostel on the right is one of the few buildings to date back to the era of the Quakers, who founded a community here in the mid-19th century. On the left, a gate leads to a small cemetery, a poignant glade in the woods where boys who died in the reformatory are buried.
The park is pleasant enough, with a visitor centre and wild ponies and deer. Our route takes us up to the left of the centre, with the distinctive peak of the Diamond towering above. At the highest point of the park loop, you can follow the trail up the open mountain and a helpful map tells the walker what to expect ahead.
From here on it's steady climbing most of the way, on sturdy wooden walkways or steps cut into the rocky slopes of the mountain.
A large stone marks a further junction where walkers can opt to turn back. From here on, the track grows steep and hands may need to be used for balance in windy weather.
The last stretch is the steepest but the top comes soon enough and with it views in every direction - if you're lucky enough to have a clear day.
The route down loops around the back of the mountain and rejoins the original track before finding its way back to the starting point, where food, drink and other refreshments are available in Letterfrack.
The Discover Ireland website provides advice on walking with suggested routes and maps and a guide on planning your itinerary. See www.discoverireland.com
A number of operators provide walking holidays in
Ireland. Those approved by Failte Ireland in include:
Wonderful Ireland.This company promises to give walkers the freedom to set their own pace during the day while choosing good guesthouse accommodation at night. Each evening your luggage will be waiting for you at your night's stop. See www.wonderfulireland.com
Connemara Safari.See: www.walkingconnemara.com
Croagh Patrick Walking Holidays, based 5km from Westport in Co Mayo. See www.walkingguideireland.com
Footfalls, based in the heart of the Wicklow Mountains. See www.walkinghikingireland.com
Go Ireland Walking Toursbased along the Western Irish Seaboard. See www.goactivities.com
Hidden Ireland Toursalso based on the Western seaboard. See www.hiddenirelandtours.c
Irish Ways Walking Holidaysin Wexford. See www.irishways.com
Killary Toursin Connemara. See www.killary.com
Trek-Inn Holidaysin Kerry.See www.trek-inn.com
Walking & Talking in Ireland. See www.walktalkireland.com
Start and finish:Letterfrack village in Connemara, on the N59 between Clifden and Leenane
Distance:7km, on easy tracks.
Time:1-1.5 hours, depending on fitness.
MapsHarveys Connemara; Ordnance Survey sheet 37.
Best thing about the walkSo many views for such little effort!
SuitabilityInexperienced walkers should avoid bad weather days, otherwise suitable for all.
AccommodationBudget walkers will want to stay in the Old Monastery hostel, an original Quaker building, while upmarket types might prefer Rosleague Manor a few miles down the Clifden road.
End of walk pit stop/ refreshmentsLetterfrack has three pubs, two restaurants and a shop.