Lugnaquilla...recommended routes...

Took up hillwalking about 18 months back, so have made my way through the ones within driving distance in the SW - Reeks, Brandon, Slieve Mish, Iveragh, Cahas, Galtys etc.

Now want to move a bit further on, and particularly want to finish off the 900m+ group, so want to do Lug some weekend soon.

What's the best route? I prefer scrambling rather than trudging for ages, circuit would be best because it'll be just one car, and would also like to bag as many summits incl maybe Cloghernagh and/or Corrigasleggaun and/or Slievemaan as possible in say a 6 or 7 hour period.

Thanks.

Alun

The main routes from the east would be Baravore - Fraughan Rock Glen - Lug and back, or the Zig-Zags - Clohernagh - Lug and then back via Corrigeslegaun, drop down to Kelly's Lough and back via Carrawaystick Brook and the Zig-Zags again. There's another route from Baravore up to the Table Track and along over Camenabologue and Cannow, but that's a bit of trudge.

If you're after a bit of a scramble you can do the route up over Clohernagh and then instead of heading straight for the summit, drop down a bit to the south and then up the South Prison. Not to be recommended in the middle of winter but perfectly doable in good conditions.

Routes from the west are all a bit of a trudge to be honest, but Fenton's Pub - Camara Hill - Lug and back via Slievemaan and Ballineddan is one I've done a few times.

There are also possibilities from Aughavannagh Bridge following the Ow Valley, which is a very underused and quite scenic route.

P.S. I heartily recommend you either get the Harvey's Wicklow Mountains map or the newly published map by East West Mapping (http://www.eastwestmapping.ie/lugnaquillaglendalough.html). Miles better than the OSi offering.

Great Alun, thanks for all that. Very helpful.

Will avoid trudge at all costs!

Think I'll go from the east side and try Cloghernagh first. Then chance heading on to Corrigasleggaun and Lug via the South Prison. Does that have a well defined scrambling route, say ala the gullies in to the front of Carrauntoohil? And can I do that while still ascending most of the time anyway? You mention a drop down, will I lose much of the height I've gained? Is there any way of say cutting across from Corrigasleggaun and joining the South Prison some way up?

Sorry for all the questions. And will avoid osi maps anyway, the only problem I have with Harveys is that they are so nice I hate bending them or folding them backwards to fit into the map holder!

Alun

From memory there's a fairly obvious gully up the north end of the south prison (if that makes sense!). Whether you could cross over from Corrigaslegaun straight to meet it half way, I'm not sure .. it's a bit boulder strewn if I recall correctly. the route I was describing is a bit difficult to explain in words .. I'll PM you a small map extract of a GPS track from when we took that route which will explain it better.

Missed it in July, went to Westport instead and took in Mweelrea, Croagh Patrick etc.

Finally may get round to it this Saturday as going to Dublin for the weekend. Presume there is no need for crampons - don't have them anyway - and can finally get this one under my belt?

Alun

There's talk of snow in some areas on Thursday, and there's some white stuff (not sure if it's snow or hailstones) on the summit of Lug already. Some of the gullies might be a bit slippery in places depending on the temperature but I'd doubt it'd be quite crampon territory yet. I'd say give it a try and if it's too iffy, just retreat and go back up to Corrigaslegaun and take the standard route to the summit.

Alun

Alun wrote: »

Some of the gullies might be a bit slippery in places depending on the temperature but I'd doubt it'd be quite crampon territory yet. I'd say give it a try and if it's too iffy, just retreat and go back up to Corrigaslegaun and take the standard route to the summit.

Great thanks.

DubOnHoliday

I always preferred the approach from Aughavannagh along the Ow river, it will be really boggy now with the recent rain, but I think its a nicer walk once you get thru the woods, also the ascent is more gradual.

duckysauce

Deleted User wrote: »

Missed it in July, went to Westport instead and took in Mweelrea, Croagh Patrick etc.

How was Mweelrea to climb? , its on the do list.

hmmm

There's also Glenmalure Inn - Carrawaystick - Corrigaslegun (however it's smelt) - drop down to South Prison gully - back via the Zig Zags

I've never done the gully, not my thing, but I know there's more than one (or appears to be more than one). One of my friends who did it picked the wrong one and scared the bejaysus out of him.

duckysauce

duckysauce wrote: »

How was Mweelrea to climb? , its on the do list.

Went straight up Ben Lugmore from Doo Lough, which was a good scramble, not too difficult but a good hour or more of effort. After that couldn't see my hand in front of my face for fog, which was a shame as there seems to be fine drops off the ridge between Ben Lugmore and Ben Bury. Had to stick to compass to get from there over to Mweelrea, and again couldn't see a thing, so think I took a rather lengthy route, and then turned around and came back down the feature called the Ramp between Bens Bury and Lugmore. Can't think of time, took over 5 hours anyway, was on my own and moved fast but can only go so fast when you can't see a thing. Loved the effort, and below the fog line it looked great, but think I'll have to go back again to really take it in.

Sorry Alun for yet another question. A contributor on mountainviews suggested that Fenton's/Glen of Imaal side might be easier to access than Glenmalure side if there's any snow. I still like the thought of getting in Corrigasleggaun, though might avoid dropping down to take in the South Prison. But will roads to Glenmalure side be that dodgy this Saturday?

And the last question. That eastwestmapping map looks neat. Is it on sale in any garage or shop around there?

Alun

If there is snow, then yes, Fentons is possibly going to be more accessible than going over into Glenmalure but it could still prove problematic if the small roads around there aren't cleared. It's usually OK from the N81 as far as Donard, although there's a bit of a hill to start with, but after that it can get a bit tricky.

It's a pretty easy ascent from the pub, just one long steady climb to the top. If you want to come down a slightly different way, you can drop down to the SW to the saddle between Lug and Slievemaan, up Slievemaan (verrrry muddy!) and then on to Ballineddan.

I've not seen the E-W mapping maps for sale in any of the shops round there, but if they are available, then the only shop in the area is the shop/petrol station in Laragh where they do sell maps, but not sure if they sell those. Worth a punt though. Otherwise just order them from their website.

Did it! Plumped for safety first Ie trudge from the west, so got car as far as car park near Ballineddan, and walked over it, on to Slievemaan and from there to Lug. Thick snow hid quad damage I had heard about. Came back via valley to north of route I went up. Conditions arctic. Was even contemplating not getting out of the car when I got there, but couldn't face thought of coming back here and telling you I had missed it again! Great day for it, clear and bright though road from Donard was dodgy. Glad to complete the Irish Munros, even if I missed gullies, prisons etc. Next time!

Slogger Jogger

Lug was looking magnificent this morning (from afar at least):-