Peak viewing time
Malcolm Rogers looks at a few peaks you can scale to help you get
back to fitness in 2007.
 By Malcolm
Rogers
Put on a few pounds over Christmas that are proving reluctant to remove?
Look no further than just across the Irish Sea where a walking holiday
will soon get you back into trim — plus also take you through some
of Europe’s finest scenery.
Slievenamon in Tipperary is a beautiful and not terribly strenuous mountain
to climb. At 2,368ft the huge bulk of rock towers over the plains of Tipperary.
Tradition has it that Finn MacCool watched as local girls raced to the
mountain top to win him for a husband, hence the name, Sliabh na mBan,
the Mountain of the Women. Slievenamon can be accessed by following a
well sign-posted track just above Kilcash village.
Slieve Gullion in South Armagh is part of a ring dyke system —
a geological feature that rock enthusiasts come from all over Europe to
have a look at. Now designated an Area of Outstanding Beauty it’s
as good as its word. Some 1,893ft high the going is relatively easy mainly
along turf tracks. One point of the route is quite steep and something
of a scramble on all fours but largely speaking this is a walk for anyone
in reasonable condition. To access look out for the signs for Killeavy
and Slieve Gullion off the main A1 Belfast-Dublin road.
Torc Mountain outside Killarney boasts a boardwalk footpath all the way
to the summit through some of Ireland’s finest scenery. Access by
following the Kerry Way from the Torc Waterfall itself well worth the
journey as it plunges some 60 feet over precipitous sandstone rocks.
Lugnaquilla, Co. Wicklow, at 3,089ft is Ireland’s highest mountain
outside Kerry. The quickest route up is from West Wicklow’s Glen
of Imaal. Follow a road and then a track east from the River Slaney until
a sharp ascent brings you on to the summit plateau and the highest peak
in the Wicklow Mountains.
Galteemore (in older maps Galtymore) on the Limerick-Tipperary border
is Ireland’s highest inland mountain. To get to the summit requires
a reasonable expenditure of effort. If you’re really fit, a ridge
walk will take you from the Galtee at 3,018ft on to Lyracppul (2,712ft)
with views across Lough Curra and the Glen of Aherlow. To access follow
the signposts from the Cahir-Mitchelstown road near the tiny village of
Skeenarinky.
Slieve Donard, Co. Down, at 2,796ft is the highest mountain in the North.
Not a terribly difficult mountain to climb but the views from the summit
are extensive and spectacular. On a clear day the Isle of Man and Britain
seem within touching distance, while below Dundrum Bay is the very sea
which the Mountains of Mourne sweep down to. Access is through Donard
Park in Newcastle and follow the Glen River signs.
 Brandon Hill
in Co. Kilkenny, like Slieve Donard, offers spectacular views for relatively
modest effort. For access, turn left off the Inistioge road just outside
Graiguenamanagh. From a forest clearing you’ll be able to see the
marked route leading to the summit.
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