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CONNEMARA & THE BURRENSome of our party (on Ben Lettery) called for the provision basket. It was little short of treason against the majesty of Nature, to fix those eyes on rolls and cold beef, which ought to have been directed to one of the noblest views of Cunnemarra.Route 93: North-East Twelve Bens-Gleann Eidhneach Horseshoe Connemara map (1 :50,000), or map 37 (1 :50,000), Discovery Series. Start at junction of side road and R344 (L 819562). Walk side road for 200 metres, then climb Knockpasheemore, Binn Bhan (trig pillar), descend steeply (avoiding crags) to Mam Eidhneach (escape possible here). Climb Bencollaghduff, descend to col at Mam na bhFonsai, climb north-east to Binn an tSaighdiura, Binn an Choire Bhig, descend steeply (avoiding crags) to river at about L 812551, cross it here and meet track. Distance: 13 kilometres. Climb: 1,200 metres. Time: 5.75 hours (including 1.25 hours for steep descents). Route 94: North Twelve Bens Connemara map (1 :50,000), or map 37 (1 :50,000), Discovery Series. Start at end of tarmac on minor road (L 796574). Take track initially south and at its end climb Binn Fhraoigh (detour to Binn Bhan adds two kilometres, climb 200 metres), Meacanach. Walk north to climb Binn Bhreac, Maolan. Descend north-west spur to unnamed section of lake between Kylemore Lough and Poll an Chapaill and take path/track to start. Distance: 13 kilometres. Climb: 1,050 metres. Time: 5.5 hours (including one hour for steep descents). Route 95: Maamturks-Failmore/Gleann Fhada Horseshoe Connemara map (1:50,000), or maps 37 and 38 (1:50,000), Discovery Series. Start at layby on minor road (L 932528). Walk south-west along Western Way for about 1.5 kilometres; here climb directly west to Binn Mhairg, Binn Chaonaigh, Binn idir an Da Log (on this leg note zigzag route to keep to high ground). Descend to near Lough Mham Ochoige avoiding crags, walk north-east to point 438 metres, take ridge east to Cnoc na gCorr, descending south to road to avoid crags. Distance: 16 kilometres. Climb: 1,050 metres. Time: 5.5 hours (including 0.5 hours for steep descent). Route 96: Central Maamturks Connemara map (1:50,000), or map 37 (1 :50,000), Discovery Series. Start at car park on R344 (L 847533). Walk road east, south-east for about two kilometres, ascend north-east here (at about L 866526) into high valley. Climb to Mam Ochoige, climb Cnoc na hUilleann (initial cairn visible on this ascent marks edge of plateau). Walk north, north-west to Binn Bhriocain. Walk north-east for 800 metres, then descend initially north-west to pass at Mam Tuirc and west to Western Way. Turn left onto Way (it may not be evident at first; simply keep to foot of slope on left). Take it to road following electricity poles towards end if Way unclear. Road to start. Difficult navigation on tops in bad visibility. Distance: 16 kilometres. Climb: 800 metres. Time: 5 hours (including 0.5 hours for steep descent). Route 97: East Maamturks Connemara map (1:50,000). Start at junction 0.3 miles south-west of Maam Bridge/An Mam (L 963523). Walk road south for about 2.5 kilometres to near top of pass, climb initially south-west to Corcog, Mullach Glas (remains of fence useful for navigation on these two climbs), Binn Mhor (trig pillar), Binn Ramhar. Descend to Mam Ean. Turn right to walk Western Way to start. Distance: 18 kilometres. Climb: 1,100 metres. Time: 5.75 hours (including 0.25 hours for steep descent). The final 'Connemara & the Burren' extract can be found here : Part 4
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