CHALLENGE WALKS CALENDAR

CHALLENGE WALKS 2010   
Calendar 2010
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    Welcome to the Walkers Association of Ireland
    Challenge Walks Calendar 2010 Club and Community Walks
    Information on walks are updated on an ongoing basis as they are received (usually in the first three months or so), otherwise the previous years details are given.  

    MAILING LIST

 

 

SLIEVENAMUCK MARATHON  
28th March 2010

Organised by the Galtee Walking Club Club.

A walk that traverses a the beautiful Slievenamuck mountain ridge that wonderously gazes accross to the mighty Galtees.

There is both a full and mini marathon on the day which covers road and track.

 

MAUMTURKS CHALLENGE  
Sat 3rd April 2010
Distance: 24 km. Total Ascent:  2,336m.
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The Maumturks Challenge Walk is one the strongest tests of endurance in the years calendar. It is for very experienced walkers only.

The walk is organised by the NUIG Mountaineering Club, and takes place each Spring, usually during the month of April. It stretches from the foot of Corcogmore near Maam, all the way to Leenane over the length of the Maumturks.

The route is known for rapidly changing weather and poor visibility so good navigation skills and appropriate equipment are absolutely essential.

              More Information

 

KNOCKMEALDOWNS  
24th April 2010
Distance: 30km. Total Ascent: 1,450m
Knockmealdowns_Walk.jpg

Organised by the Peaks Mountaineering Club.

A walk that traverses a most beautiful mountain ridge

that traces the County boundary of Tipperary and Waterford

whilst looking down on "The Vee" and other great vistas.

 

ACHILL WALKS FESTIVAL  
Fri. evening 30th April - Mon.3rd May 2010
Distances up to 10km and 4 hrs duration
Achill_Fest.jpg

  ACHILL WALKS FESTIVAL 2010

Organised by Achill Tourism the Achill Walks

Festival takes place over the May Bank Holiday

Weekend

               More Information

 

 

BALLYHOURA MARATHON CHALLENGE  
Fri. evening 30th April - Mon. 3rd May 2010
Distances up to 42 km
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This walk is as organised as part of the annual walking festival. 'A' Walk: Ballyhoura Marathon Challenge A challenging well marked circuit including steep short climbs, forest trails, farmland and magnificent views.

The Festival includes the Marathon, designed especially for hillwalkers, half marathon and walks throughout the Ballyhoura and Galtee ranges, with a new events such as the Universal Access Walk(for people with disabilities) and a Geocache.

 

DONEGAL BLUESTACKS  
2nd May 2010
Distances from 4 to 7 hrs. duration
Bluestacks.jpg

  DONEGAL BLUESTACKS WALKING FESTIVAL 2010

Organised by the Bluestack Ramblers Walking Club this festival is based in

Donegal Town and explores the wonderous Bluestack Mountains slightly inland.  

On the two given days there will be two seperate grades of walk



More Information

 

MOYLE CHALLENGE WALK  
May 2010
Distances : 32km & 20km
Northern_Walking_Partnership.jpg   Organised by the Northern Walking Partnership this walk takes   in forest and road and pretty summits including Slievenanorra   with wonderful views of the Antrim coast.

 

BLACKSTAIRS WALK  
Saturday 22nd May 2010
Distance: 26 km. Total Ascent:  1,525m.
Blackstairs Walk The Blackstairs Walk is organised by the Wayfarers Association. The Wayfarers Association was organised forty years ago this year and this is their flagship event. It is a mountain walk along the Carlow Wexford Border following the Blackstairs ridge (Ordnance Survey Discovery Series Map No. 68). The walk begins at Killanure (Grid Ref S 890 537) off the R746 from Bunclody to Kiltealy. The walk ends at Byrne’s Pub in Glynn (Grid Ref S 745 395). A certificate is awarded to all who participate in and/or complete the walk.

CLARE BURREN MARATHON CHALLENGE  
22nd May 2010
Distances 6, 13.2 & 26.2miles.
Clare_Burren.jpg Organised by the Ballyvaughan Fanore Walking Club, this challenge has three variations of walk covering road, off-road and the lovely Burren in full bloom.

 

 

 

GUS TOBIN GALTY MARATHON  
Saturday 12th June 2010
Distance: 26 km. Total Ascent:  1,400m.
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A long distance walk for experienced walkers. With less climbing than some of the walks described here, it is still a substantial route on high ground so you should be adequately prepared and equipped. With 6 manned checkpoints, four of which are on hills, windy Galtymore will remove all cobwebs!

 

CIRCUIT OF IMAAL  
19th June 2010 
Distance: 35 km. Total Ascent:  1,800m.
Imaal.jpg The Ring of Imaal “Long Walk” is organised by An Oige and is 22 miles long with a total ascent of 2000 metres (6,000 feet) approx. Taking an average of 8 hours to complete the walk starts at the National School in Donard. The walk requires a good level of fitness, although there are a number of possible “drop out” points. Walkers are required to lead themselves.

 

COMERAGH CROSSING  
Saturday 3rd July 2010  
Distance: 30/40 km. Ascent: 1,150/1920m.  
Comeragh challenge A very popular walk in a lovely part of the country which has a number of variations to cater for walkers of differing abilities. This walk is also known as the Annual George Harney Memorial Walk & Challenge. It is organised by the Dungarvan Hillwalking Club. It starts in Clonmel and finishes in Dungarvan.

JOYCE COUNTRY CHALLENGE  
Saturday 17th July 2010  
Distance: 30 km. Total Ascent: 1,900m.  
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Organising Club : Lake District Hillwalking Club.

A beautiful walk which takes the walker on a wonderous,  delightful day consisting of mountain plateaus, arêtes, incredible views  and a  lovely “Lake Loop”.

The day has an "A" and "B" walk aswell as a gentle "potter" 

 

MOURNE SEVENS  
7th August 2010  
Distance: 28 km. Total Ascent: 2,495m.  
Mourne Sevens The Mourne Seven Sevens Walk takes in amongst others the seven higher mountains of the Mourne Mountains. It allows walkers to choose their own routes, which for the most part will consist of summiting Slieve Donard 850m first and then either a clockwise or anti-clockwise route that will have one meeting ones counterparts going the opposite way later in the day. An “unsupported” walk but definitely a nice clean walk which for the most part follows well worn trails and stone tracks that in places trace the incredible Mourne Wall. This walk also has a race which attracts a huge fell-running fraternity whose speed at times has to be seen to be believed.

 

 

MARATHON WALK WESTERN WAY  
Saturday 14th August 2010  

Distance: 42 km. Total Ascent: 258m.

(Half-marathon option available)

 
Marathon_Walk.jpg  Organising Club : Galway Walking Club
This delightful walk journeys along the Western Way on both road and track taking in the beautiful Killary Harbour and Máuméan Pass. A full day but with a gentle incline.

 

 

BURREN WALK  
August 2010
Distances: 14 km 25 km and 27km.
The_Burren.jpg   Organisers: Burren Walking Club.

A combination of walks of 14km, 25km and 27km.

The Burren walk is now being run by what was the Galway   VHF Group/Galway Civil Defence and will, by tradition, be run   every year on the last Saturday of August. Spectacular views   across Galway Bay to Connemara and the Aran Islands feature   on a lovely walk.

 

GLOVER / MUCKISH ERRIGAL  
September 2010
Distance: 19.5km. Total Ascent:  2020m.
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Whilst although there is no official walk as such,

various "Friends of the Glover"

meet and walk the  route in September.

 

More Information from Previous Dates

 

BURREN PEAKS WALKING FESTIVAL  
SEPTEMBER 2010
WALKS FROM 4 - 8 hrs DURATION
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Organised by The Ballyvaughan Fanore Walking Club

There is a choice of Grade A, B & C Guided walks which can enjoy this wonderfully rich limestone pavement...the land of the fertile rock with its precious and delicate terrain..

 

 

CARLOW AUTUMN FESTIVAL  
8th  10th October 2010
Distances from 7km to 20km.
Carlow_Autumn_Festival.jpg Including a combination of "A,B and C" walks on both days, there truely is something for all on this Walking Festival.
Distances vary from 7km (taking an hour or two)
to 20km (taking up to 8 hours) and include river walks, forest parks and mountain treks.

 

ART O'NEILL WALK  
Not happening in 2010
Dublin Castle, Castle St.
Distance: 55 km. Total Ascent:  1,2500m.
Art O'Neill walk

The Art O’Neill walk is unique. It starts at midnight outside Dublin Castle and passes through the Dublin suburbs before heading into the wild hills leading to Glenmalure.

2009 year's Walk was organised as a sponsored event for the Stuart Mangan Trust.

www.artoneillchallenge.com

More Information

Report 2009  

 

LUG WALK  
Next on June 2011  
Distance: 53 km. Total Ascent: 2,290m.  
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The Lug Walk usually takes place on a date as close to the longest day in the year as possible…. this is a long walk! Whilst the ascent within this walk is usually gradual, this is not the total of all pains as heavy bog, heavy mist and heavy hearts all play their part on a day that will always see some rain.

The walk is however nicely divided into three parts, so if all else fails family and friends can help with re-supply. Water is provided at checkpoints which help to keep ones weight down. Held every consecutive year if the weather is good there will be wondrous views all day, if the weather is doubtful however, a long day’s intense navigation is sure to ensue.

 

 

 

............PREVIOUS CHALLENGE WALKS OF INTEREST...............  

 

TWELVE BENS  

LAST HELD  June 2007

 
Distance: 28 km. Total Ascent: 2,530m.  
12 bens

Last held in 2007 but in accordance with the wishes of Beanna Beola Walking Club  this walk will not be held this year.

 

More Information 2007 

BOFIN SHARK CHALLENGE  
LAST HELD  June 2008
Total Ascent:  100m.
Inisboffin_250.jpg Last held in 2008, this walk began at Cleggan, Connemara with a boat departure to the enchanting islands of Inisbofin and Inishark.

CUILCAGH  
LAST HELD  June 2006
 
cuilcagh.jpg The wanlinbar Development Association ANNUAL WALK TO CUILCAGH took place on Sunday 4th June 2006.Assembly was at Bellvalley Gap.
Chldren were invited to participate with an accompanying adult.

 

MOUNTAIN RESCUE
FUNDRAISING WALK
 
LAST HELD  July 2008  
Distance: 30 km. Total Ascent: 1,400m.  
GIF_Mountain_Rescue_Fundraiser.gif The Wayfarers are organising a series of walks in aid of the   Dublin Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team and the Glen of Imaal   Mountain Rescue Team. There will be a choice of 3 walks on   the day, a short walk of approximately 20k and 6.5 hours   duration, a medium walk of 21k and 7 hours duration and a long walk of 30k and approximately 9 hours duration.

 

BENBULBEN CHALLENGE  
LAST HELD in 2004
Distance: 35 km. Total Ascent:  1,500m.
Benbulben.jpg Always a beautiful neck of the woods, unfortunately this walk has not been run since 2004

Organising Club: Sligo Mountaineering Club.

 

HART WALK  
LAST HELD in 2008  
Distance: 111 km (Road 75km - Mountain 36km). Total Ascent: 3,000m.  
Hart walk 2006

The Hart Walk commemorates the first completion of this challenge by H.C. Hart (1847-1908) in 1886.  The starting place is the site of the old Terenure tram station, opposite the RC church on Terenure Rd., East, Dublin, where Hart commenced his trek.  We leave at 8pm. Finishing times will be in the region of 20 - 24 hours.  For further information contact Tom Milligan at 086 0826857 or 01 2883312

              Report 2008