Diamond hill

obi604 · 02-08-2020 9:41am #1

Hi

I see there are a few threads on diamond hill but they are a few years old. Couple of questions.

From trip advisor. Says it’s 3 hours.

Is this 3 hours up and 3 hours down?

freak scence · 02-08-2020 4:22pm

obi604 wrote: »

Hi

I see there are a few threads on diamond hill but they are a few years old. Couple of questions.

From trip advisor. Says it’s 3 hours.

Is this 3 hours up and 3 hours down?

3 hrs in total

obi604 · 02-08-2020 10:05pm

We ended up hopping in the car and doing this today with kids (5&6)

Enjoyable but you need to watch the kids like hawks. Hand holding for the dodgy parts.

Fascinating really whoever layed all the stones in the path/staircase for hundreds of metres, must have taken years. Big heavy stones that form a perfect staircase most of the way. (Could not find any info about the whole staircase layout scenario)

obi604 · 03-08-2020 10:53pm

Does anyone else know of any similar hikes to diamond hill? Near enough to Galway. And that would not be too risky for a family with 5 and 6 year old kids.

05-08-2020 11:44am

@obi604 It was closed in 2002 because of the erosion. Opened again in 2005 after all the work on the track was completed. The initial estimate was €1.4m for the work but I think there was a large overrun. The wood and stones were ferried in by helicopter.

No doubt it was costly ( I heard €6m) but it's a great amenity to the area and a good family trip. The full loop is 7.5km with 366m height gain. There's nothing else like that that I can think of up there. Maybe do some of the Western Way up around Mám Éan/Garrytrislaun

obi604 · 05-08-2020 12:33pm

Deleted User wrote: »

@obi604 It was closed in 2002 because of the erosion. Opened again in 2005 after all the work on the track was completed. The initial estimate was €1.4m for the work but I think there was a large overrun. The wood and stones were ferried in by helicopter.

No doubt it was costly ( I heard €6m) but it's a great amenity to the area and a good family trip. The full loop is 7.5km with 366m height gain. There's nothing else like that that I can think of up there. Maybe do some of the Western Way up around Mám Éan/Garrytrislaun

thanks, must have been some operation to lay that track, serious effort, stones really heavy etc

obi604 · 05-08-2020 12:58pm

tphase wrote: »

could try Errisbeg or Tully hill. No marked trail like Diamond hill (which is more like a 2 hour hike under normal circumstances but with wee ones in tow, might easily be 3 hours or more)

are these relatively safe without the marked trail etc?

obi604 · 05-08-2020 5:06pm

tphase wrote: »

could try Errisbeg or Tully hill. No marked trail like Diamond hill (which is more like a 2 hour hike under normal circumstances but with wee ones in tow, might easily be 3 hours or more)

cant really find errisbeg or tully hill on maps. do these appear on google maps. do they have car parks or just unofficial parking areas

obi604 · 06-08-2020 8:12am

Thanks for the links.

Wonder would Benbulben be suitable?

Losty Dublin · 10-08-2020 11:25pm

obi604 wrote: »

Thanks for the links.

Wonder would Benbulben be suitable?

It is not that easy a climb route wise and not the best one with kids, especially if they needed your hand in places. There is a shorter walk to the woods on the side that might do you for now. In the Sligo area Carrowkeel is a safe if easy bet; excellent views and the megalithic tombs on top to give added adventure. Kesh Caves outside Ballymote is a short if steep climb and Knocknarea, which is at Strandhill has a step and boardwalk leading to Queen Maeve's tomb.

obi604 · 11-08-2020 8:39am

Losty Dublin wrote: »

It is not that easy a climb route wise and not the best one with kids, especially if they needed your hand in places. There is a shorter walk to the woods on the side that might do you for now. In the Sligo area Carrowkeel is a safe if easy bet; excellent views and the megalithic tombs on top to give added adventure. Kesh Caves outside Ballymote is a short if steep climb and Knocknarea, which is at Strandhill has a step and boardwalk leading to Queen Maeve's tomb.

Thanks. Great input

obi604 · 11-08-2020 8:42am

Losty Dublin wrote: »

It is not that easy a climb route wise and not the best one with kids, especially if they needed your hand in places. There is a shorter walk to the woods on the side that might do you for now. In the Sligo area Carrowkeel is a safe if easy bet; excellent views and the megalithic tombs on top to give added adventure. Kesh Caves outside Ballymote is a short if steep climb and Knocknarea, which is at Strandhill has a step and boardwalk leading to Queen Maeve's tomb.

This info is great. Would anyone have similar info for Mayo. I have been looking online and on the AllTrails app etc but it’s hard to narrow things down and to find out if places defo have some kind of a trail and most importantly if child friendly.

The above post is just a perfect summation for Sligo in a few lines.

Losty Dublin · 12-08-2020 12:24am

Have a look at this site; it has plenty of ideas that should work for you.

http://www.mayowalks.ie/WalkingTrails/

GalwayGrrrrrl · 26-08-2020 5:39pm

obi604 wrote: »

Does anyone else know of any similar hikes to diamond hill? Near enough to Galway. And that would not be too risky for a family with 5 and 6 year old kids.

Mam Ean is very good for young children. If you park near the gate at Pás Mám Éan (Car Park) on google maps there is a very easy trail up to the church and holy well. It’s less than one hour up, probably 90 minute round trip if you don’t stop for snacks. Signposted from clifden road, right turn after maam cross.
There is a pilgrimage day in August - not sure exactly when so you might want to join/avoid that depending on your liking for crowds!

obi604 · 26-08-2020 9:53pm

GalwayGrrrrrl wrote: »

Mam Ean is very good for young children. If you park near the gate at Pás Mám Éan (Car Park) on google maps there is a very easy trail up to the church and holy well. It’s less than one hour up, probably 90 minute round trip if you don’t stop for snacks. Signposted from clifden road, right turn after maam cross.
There is a pilgrimage day in August - not sure exactly when so you might want to join/avoid that depending on your liking for crowds!

Nice one. Thank you. Does the trek have a path etc mapped out.

Would it be harder or easier than Diamond hill?

GalwayGrrrrrl · 26-08-2020 10:09pm

obi604 wrote: »

Ice one. Thank you. Does the trek have a path etc mapped out.

Would it be harder or easier than Diamond hill?

It’s a very obvious trail from the car park/ gate to the church. You can go further over the hill but that looked like a less obvious path and less suitable for small
children.
The path is stonier than diamond hill but it is much shorter, less steep and less dangerous (no steep drops etc). We did it as a practice hike the week before diamond hill and it was very manageable for us as inexperienced hikers.

obi604 · 26-08-2020 10:40pm

GalwayGrrrrrl wrote: »

It’s a very obvious trail from the car park/ gate to the church. You can go further over the hill but that looked like a less obvious path and less suitable for small
children.
The path is stonier than diamond hill but it is much shorter, less steep and less dangerous (no steep drops etc). We did it as a practice hike the week before diamond hill and it was very manageable for us as inexperienced hikers.

Thank you for the quick and clear info.

obi604 · 30-08-2020 10:07pm

GalwayGrrrrrl wrote: »

Mam Ean is very good for young children. If you park near the gate at Pás Mám Éan (Car Park) on google maps there is a very easy trail up to the church and holy well. It’s less than one hour up, probably 90 minute round trip if you don’t stop for snacks. Signposted from clifden road, right turn after maam cross.
There is a pilgrimage day in August - not sure exactly when so you might want to join/avoid that depending on your liking for crowds!

Did this walk today. Parked up and made it to the church in about 30 mins. Then decided to walk on for about another hour past the church. Kind of just up and down the peaks and troughs of the mountain ranges. Was a nice walk.
The 6 year old was a bit disappointed - he didn’t have the same sense of achievement as with Diamond hill, i.e. the whole reaching the top of a mountain etc.

With the mam ean walk, you go up a bit of a mountain or between bigger mountains but you don't actually fully climb one or get to a summit etc

All in all, nice day, out so thanks for the recommendation:)

On the way home at Maam cross I noticed a sign for maumturk/Killary fjord with a hiker sign. Anyone aware of any hikes up here for children? Similar to diamond hill.

Or around this general area.

obi604 · 31-08-2020 5:34pm

Anyone ever done the Kilary Harbour costal walk/Famine Walk in Galway?

01-09-2020 1:22pm

obi604 wrote: »

The 6 year old was a bit disappointed - he didn’t have the same sense of achievement as with Diamond hill, i.e. the whole reaching the top of a mountain etc.

Very few Waymarked Trails go to the summits of mountains so you'll just have to grips with the whole navigation thing.

It'd be rare to find a waymarked trail that goes above 500m. I think it's an insurance thing.

obi604 · 01-09-2020 7:04pm

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Very few Waymarked Trails go to the summits of mountains so you'll just have to grips with the whole navigation thing.

It'd be rare to find a waymarked trail that goes above 500m. I think it's an insurance thing.

Ah ok. Even 300 or 400 metres would be fine

GalwayGrrrrrl · 01-09-2020 9:06pm

https://12oclockhills.com/ I haven’t been there myself yet but the 12 o’clock hills in Clare have some marked trails of different lengths.

obi604 · 02-09-2020 7:06pm

GalwayGrrrrrl wrote: »

https://12oclockhills.com/ I haven’t been there myself yet but the 12 o’clock hills in Clare have some marked trails of different lengths.

Looks decent. Thanks. Anyone here ever done it?

a148pro · 02-09-2020 11:36pm

obi604 wrote: »

On the way home at Maam cross I noticed a sign for maumturk/Killary fjord with a hiker sign. Anyone aware of any hikes up here for children? Similar to diamond hill.

Or around this general area.

There is tonnes of hiking in that area, some relatively well known and some quite remote, but nothing with a marked level path like Diamond hill, or nothing that's really safe with kids. The 12 bens walk for instance is superb, but you wouldn't take a six year old up there.

I'm reluctant to recommend it, because the path is so so eroded that it would be a technical exercise to get the kid up it, but Croagh Patrick is as close as you'll come. The mountain is stunning, looks like something from a comic book or film about volcanoes. The path is really really obvious, and its short enough that a young child could conceivably get up there if they got up diamond hill. However, the bit to the summit is a total scree fest that you kind of "ski" up and down on loose large stones if you know what I mean? Not sure it'd be wise with a child. But otherwise ticks boxes of route being obvious, sense of achievement etc..

obi604 · 03-09-2020 6:32am

a148pro wrote: »

There is tonnes of hiking in that area, some relatively well known and some quite remote, but nothing with a marked level path like Diamond hill, or nothing that's really safe with kids. The 12 bens walk for instance is superb, but you wouldn't take a six year old up there.

I'm reluctant to recommend it, because the path is so so eroded that it would be a technical exercise to get the kid up it, but Croagh Patrick is as close as you'll come. The mountain is stunning, looks like something from a comic book or film about volcanoes. The path is really really obvious, and its short enough that a young child could conceivably get up there if they got up diamond hill. However, the bit to the summit is a total scree fest that you kind of "ski" up and down on loose large stones if you know what I mean? Not sure it'd be wise with a child. But otherwise ticks boxes of route being obvious, sense of achievement etc..

Noted on croagh Patrick. Was contemplating it but someone I know actually mentioned the same thing, these loose stones. And then with children, may not be advisable.

Anyone ever done the Kilary Harbour costal walk/Famine Walk in Galway.
I think it’s just a walk as opposed to a climb but seems like savage scenery etc.

obi604 · 08-09-2020 5:25pm

Any comments on Moylussa hike in county clare? would kids that have done diamond hill be able for this? its 532 metres so fairly high

obi604 · 10-09-2020 7:35am

Bump

blueskys · 10-09-2020 7:54am

Theres abbey hill just past kinvara in the burren. Nice walk to summit for kids 6years up, bout an hour up and an hour down with kids.Drive up Corker hill and park on the entrance to the green road. Walj along the green road till you see a gap in the wall and the trail opens up from there. Great views from the top on a clear day.
There's also The Galway wind farm walks by Oughterard, different grades walks for various abilities. Perfect for young children. These are the best two locations for hill/mountain walks within 45 mins of galway city. Beyond that theres the caher valley loop walk that starts at fanore beach carpark which is 3hrs long and the connemara walks. Good luck and enjoy.

obi604 · 10-09-2020 11:39am

blueskys wrote: »

Theres abbey hill just past kinvara in the burden. Nice walk to summit for 6years up, bout an hour up and an hour down. Drive up Corker hill and park on the entrance to the green road. Walj along the green road till you see a gap in the wall and the trail opens up from there. Great views from the top on a clear day.
There's also The Galway wind farm walks by oughterard, different grades walks for various abilities. Perfect for young children. These are the best two locations for walks within 45 mins of galway city. Beyond that theres the caher valley loop walk that starts at fanore beach carpark which is 3hrs long and the connemara walks. Good luck and enjoy.

Thank you, I am discovering new ones every day.
For Abbey hill, did you park at Saint patricks church and start from here?

blueskys · 10-09-2020 1:07pm

obi604 wrote: »

Thank you, I am discovering new ones every day.
For Abbey hill, did you park at Saint patricks church and start from here?

No but you can do it that way either, just a bit farther to drive that's all.

obi604 · 10-09-2020 1:49pm

blueskys wrote: »

No but you can do it that way either, just a bit farther to drive that's all.

Where did you park, could you pin it on a map if possible?

blueskys · 10-09-2020 2:26pm

obi604 wrote: »

Where did you park, could you pin it on a map if possible?

Just drive up Corker hill (L1014) about 500m.you will see a small gravel/stone lane on your right as you get 3/4 way up. People normally park there on the left side. Look up 'Abbey Hill, Clare' on Google it will make it easier

obi604 · 10-09-2020 3:46pm

blueskys wrote: »

Just drive up Corker hill (L1014) about 500m.you will see a small gravel/stone lane on your right as you get 3/4 way up. People normally park there on the left side. Look up 'Abbey Hill, Clare' on Google it will make it easier

Thanks, final q, it seems you can do a loop, i.e go up on one side of the mountain and down on the other.

is this what you have done?

blueskys · 10-09-2020 4:50pm

obi604 wrote: »

Thanks, final q, it seems you can do a loop, i.e go up on one side of the mountain and down on the other.

is this what you have done?

Yes just make sure to follow the stone wall boundary down to the green road. Alternatively you can just come back the way you came. There's a holy well on the green road too worth a visit, water is drinkable and a cure for something!

obi604 · 12-09-2020 2:26pm

blueskys wrote: »

Yes just make sure to follow the stone wall boundary down to the green road. Alternatively you can just come back the way you came. There's a holy well on the green road too worth a visit, water is drinkable and a cure for something!

so when I reach the top and don't want to go back down the way I came, are you saying there is a stone wall on another side of the mountain that I can just follow to come down?

Just want to be sure when up there with kids etc.

obi604 · 12-09-2020 7:49pm

obi604 wrote: »

Any comments on Moylussa hike in county clare? would kids that have done diamond hill be able for this? its 532 metres so fairly high

Any thoughts on this one?

sentient_6 · 12-09-2020 10:01pm

obi604 wrote: »

Any thoughts on this one?

I did Moylussa earlier this week. In terms of length its way longer than Diamond Hill. My watch measured 11 km's of a walk full loop. Its a very long gradual walk before you get to Moylussa itself and I was fairly beat come the hills near the end. Its not difficult really, more of a issue of pacing yourself. If the kids managed Diamond Hill they should be ok.

Signage wise its a bit strange, you follow the Ballycuggaran Forest loop and Moylussa is a divert off it thats only has a hand written sign or two near the top. Take a pic of the trail map at the start of the forest.

obi604 · 12-09-2020 10:29pm

sentient_6 wrote: »

I did Moylussa earlier this week. In terms of length its way longer than Diamond Hill. My watch measured 11 km's of a walk full loop. Its a very long gradual walk before you get to Moylussa itself and I was fairly beat come the hills near the end. Its not difficult really, more of a issue of pacing yourself. If the kids managed Diamond Hill they should be ok.

Signage wise its a bit strange, you follow the Ballycuggaran Forest loop and Moylussa is a divert off it thats only has a hand written sign or two near the top. Take a pic of the trail map at the start of the forest.

Thank you. So a lot of walking to actually get to the start of the climb.
Is it a loop - as in you reach the top of the mountain and then go down the mountain via another route?

Any steep or dodgy bits?

sentient_6 · 12-09-2020 10:52pm

obi604 wrote: »

Thank you. So a lot of walking to actually get to the start of the climb.
Is it a loop - as in you reach the top of the mountain and then go down the mountain via another route?

Any steep or dodgy bits?

There's the forest loop and Moylussa itself is one way up and down off that loop. The very top is a stretch of boardwalk and you go back the way you came. There are a couple of steepish short climbs on loose gravel paths alright. You need to watch the step especially on the way down. 20/30 metre sections.

obi604 · 12-09-2020 10:57pm

sentient_6 wrote: »

There's the forest loop and Moylussa itself is one way up and down off that loop. The very top is a stretch of boardwalk and you go back the way you came. There are a couple of steepish short climbs on loose gravel paths alright. You need to watch the step especially on the way down. 20/30 metre sections.

Thank you again.
May give it a go tomorrow. Either this or 12 o clock hills.

Undecided right now

sentient_6 · 12-09-2020 11:13pm

obi604 wrote: »

Thank you again.
May give it a go tomorrow. Either this or 12 o clock hills.

Undecided right now

I've not heard of the 12 O'clock hills before so I'm not trying to influence you either way. I will say the spotless facilities at the start beside the car park were an absolute pleasure before heading off on the walk and after a drive getting there. And I enjoyed sitting out on the benches eating my sandwich after, looking out at Lough Derg and watching the ducks! 12 possibly looks more manageable after a quick read there though.

obi604 · 12-09-2020 11:16pm

sentient_6 wrote: »

I've not heard of the 12 O'clock hills before so I'm not trying to influence you either way. I will say the spotless facilities at the start beside the car park were an absolute pleasure before heading off on the walk and after a drive getting there. And I enjoyed sitting out on the benches eating my sandwich after, looking out at Lough Derg and watching the ducks! 12 possibly looks more manageable after a quick read there though.

Yeah. I’m nearly leaning towards Moylussa though

obi604 · 12-09-2020 11:35pm

sentient_6 wrote: »

There's the forest loop and Moylussa itself is one way up and down off that loop. The very top is a stretch of boardwalk and you go back the way you came. There are a couple of steepish short climbs on loose gravel paths alright. You need to watch the step especially on the way down. 20/30 metre sections.

Where did you park?

sentient_6 · 12-09-2020 11:48pm

obi604 wrote: »

Where did you park?

Ballycuggaran Forest
R463, Craglea, Co. Clare
https://maps.app.goo.gl/z1HWBoa7KpJ8dLyC8

obi604 · 13-09-2020 2:04pm

GalwayGrrrrrl wrote: »

https://12oclockhills.com/ I haven’t been there myself yet but the 12 o’clock hills in Clare have some marked trails of different lengths.

Anyone know how long the hike time is in total. Up to summit and back for the 12 o clock hills?

obi604 · 13-09-2020 10:19pm

blueskys wrote: »

Theres abbey hill just past kinvara in the burren. Nice walk to summit for kids 6years up, bout an hour up and an hour down with kids.Drive up Corker hill and park on the entrance to the green road. Walk along the green road till you see a gap in the wall and the trail opens up from there. Great views from the top on a clear day.
There's also The Galway wind farm walks by Oughterard, different grades walks for various abilities. Perfect for young children. These are the best two locations for hill/mountain walks within 45 mins of galway city. Beyond that theres the caher valley loop walk that starts at fanore beach carpark which is 3hrs long and the connemara walks. Good luck and enjoy.

Due to time constraints, ended up doing abbey hill in Clare. Parked at the entrance to the “green” road (or a Boreen) and then walked to the gap in the wall. Bar that sign in the car park, the signage is non existent, I would have Nearly missed the gap in the wall if not Looking out for it. Way up was ok. There were Only paths (Worn grass etc) to follow in some areas so was not sure of certain parts of the way up. Made it up in 30 mins. Views at top and on the way up are very nice.

Then decided to go down a different path. Followed the stone wall. Problem is there were 2 stone walls so was not sure of which one to follow.

Took the one to the right as you look down. Coming down was harder than going up. Took 45 mins and followed the wall. But there were places where it was fairly steep declines etc. Made it down eventually after trying to figure out the route which was best if staying close to wall was not an option etc.

Nice walk but the lack of signs Is not too good and then guessing which wall to follow down etc.

obi604 · 18-09-2020 9:35am

sentient_6 wrote: »

I did Moylussa earlier this week. In terms of length its way longer than Diamond Hill. My watch measured 11 km's of a walk full loop. Its a very long gradual walk before you get to Moylussa itself and I was fairly beat come the hills near the end. Its not difficult really, more of a issue of pacing yourself. If the kids managed Diamond Hill they should be ok.

Signage wise its a bit strange, you follow the Ballycuggaran Forest loop and Moylussa is a divert off it thats only has a hand written sign or two near the top. Take a pic of the trail map at the start of the forest.

what do ye reckon for this weekend with a 6 year old?

Moylussa or 12 o clock hills?

Triangle · 18-09-2020 9:46am

obi604 wrote: »

Noted on croagh Patrick. Was contemplating it but someone I know actually mentioned the same thing, these loose stones. And then with children, may not be advisable.

Back in the day when my kids were around the same age, I took them up croagh Patrick.
We stopped at the loose stones and came down. But it was still impressionable to them. One still talks about not reaching the top, but the others loved it.

obi604 · 21-09-2020 2:09pm

sentient_6 wrote: »

I did Moylussa earlier this week. In terms of length its way longer than Diamond Hill. My watch measured 11 km's of a walk full loop. Its a very long gradual walk before you get to Moylussa itself and I was fairly beat come the hills near the end. Its not difficult really, more of a issue of pacing yourself. If the kids managed Diamond Hill they should be ok.

Signage wise its a bit strange, you follow the Ballycuggaran Forest loop and Moylussa is a divert off it thats only has a hand written sign or two near the top. Take a pic of the trail map at the start of the forest.

I did Moylussa yesterday with the 6 year old.
It is as you said, long and gradual. Tough going especially near the top part, however from the point of view of a 6 year old, no major dangers really of steep falls off the side of a mountain etc or narrow paths up.

Yesterday was a lovely day in fairness and it was very busy, I was sweating like a $%^&*(, the 6 year old didn't even sweat...............age
It took us 1.5 hours to get up and 1 hour to come down, the reason the way up was longer was because of the lack of signage, twice we went wrong at forks due to no signs, I had taken a photo of the map etc but hard to follow for a very specific fork in a road.

I heard numerous others complaining yesterday about the lack of signage also. we got asked 3 times, "is this the way to the top "

We lost about 15 minutes on the way up due to going in the wrong direction.
We drove up a bit of the hill to the car park, that was steep enough in parts and hard for 2 cars to get by each other etc.

all in all good walk, hard enough going (for me:))

would be great if they spent half a day puting up a few signs at the forks

obi604 · 26-09-2020 10:00am

Going to do Mount Gable near Clonbur today

obi604 · 26-09-2020 9:31pm

obi604 wrote: »

Going to do Mount Gable near Clonbur today

Did this today. Not bad. About 45
Minutes up. Boggy enough in spots.

Anyone done Lackavrea?

Diamond hill

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