Burren Walk 2007 (A Walk information)

Burren Walk 2007 (A Walk information)

Route A Description (~ 27km)

Meeting venue and start time;

Registration at the recreation area beside the entrance to Fanore Beach, Co.Clare.
(Grid Ref. No.; M142082) from 09:00 to 12:00hrs.

Stage 1

• Turn right (Southwest) along the R477 road on leaving the recreation area.

• Veer left off the main road at the National School on the left hand (Eastern) side

• of the road (250Metres from the start) and continue along this initially unpaved track.

• After just a little over 1km turn left (East) at the junction (M135071) and proceed uphill for about 3km.

• This seems like a never ending climb but take it easy and admire the coastal scenery stretched out below you.

• The first checkpoint (Grid Ref; M137045) is 3.5 km from the start where you turn sharply to the left and head off in a North-easterly direction along the Burren Way.

• You are 230M above sea level at this point.

Make sure you get your card punched at each checkpoint.

For safety reasons please let those manning the nearest checkpoint know
if you decide to drop out at any stage and also check out at the finish
(same as the starting point).
If you do not do so you may be presumed lost and/or injured.
Should the search and rescue services be mobilised you may be liable
for their costs.

Stage 2

• Please ensure all gates are closed after you, or your group, have passed through.

• Continue Northeast along Slieve Elva’s green road for 3.5km approximately.

• Here (Grid ref; M162067) it turns sharply in a south easterly direction initially,
later more easterly, and the descent becomes steeper.

• On reaching the paved road turn left (Northerly direction) for two hundred metres only – the Caher River flows by this section. On reaching the T-junction turn right (SE) and you will see Checkpoint 2 (Grid Ref; M174069).

• Those taking part in the C route break off at this point and head back to Fanore
(Northwest) via the Caher valley (also known as the Khyber Pass).

• Those participating in the A and B walks continue to Checkpoint 3 as outlined below.

Stage 3

• A very rough track climbs steeply (Northeast) from this checkpoint to reach Cathair an Aird Rois - a ruined Church and Sheebeen (Grid ref; M180070) – where most people take a well-earned break.

• Route B walkers head left (North) cross country from here heading to the mound on top of Aughaglinny South/Gleninagh Mountain (Grid Ref; M179095).

• Route A walkers continue east along the road and descend to Checkpoint 4 at the T-junction in the Gleninagh Valley (Grid Ref; M190070).

Several walkers take the wrong route at Cathair an Ard Rois
every year so double check before setting off.

Stage 4

• From checkpoint 4 set off north up the valley. An unpaved road leads to a solitary farmhouse. Don’t forget to close the gate. After passing the farmhouse the best route
is, probably, to veer off slightly to the right, as it is easier to get from field to field than by going in a straight line. Wherever possible use the gates rather than climbing over the walls. If stones are knocked down please replace them.

• Your aim is to climb to the top of the ridge/pass (Grid ref; M186094) at the northern end of the valley between Aughaglinny South/Gleninagh Mountain and Cappanawalla hills.

• A well-worn path leads you to a wall which heads in an East West direction on top of this ridge.

• To get to the next checkpoint on Aughaglinny South follow this wall to the west but only until you get to the very first wall a few metres away.

• Here you should head away from both walls heading roughly west and climbing towards the summit mound that may be difficult to see until you are close to it.

• If you continue to follow the wall you will skirt the mountain entirely and miss the checkpoint. Many go wrong here.

• Aughaglinny/Gleninagh Mountain at 317 metres high is Checkpoint 5
(Grid Ref; M170095).

Stage 5

• To get to your next point set off roughly Northwest aiming to pass north of Aughaglinny North the 314 metre peak you see before you.

• If you go too much to the west you will meet steep cliffs. It is much easier to avoid the worst sections by going more to the right (northerly).

• Use the Southeast/Northwest wall as a guide. (This is a continuation of the wall we encountered earlier on the ridge north of the Gleninagh Valley).

• By sticking to this wall even when it descends from what appears to be the more obvious broad ledge you will be directed correctly towards Checkpoint 6 at Grid ref; M158114. .

• In clear conditions you should soon see the checkpoint at Cathair Dhuin Irghuis way below you in the general direction of Black Head.

• In poor conditions you may have to rely on your compass and map reading skills/GPS – or follow someone who knows where they are going!

Stage 6

• Cross the wall to the south of the fort and you will see another guide wall heading roughly southwest. Following this is by far the easiest way to safely descend without meeting small cliffs or getting lost. You will eventually join an obvious well-demarcated green road which will guide you south towards Fanore.

• The trail fades out and becomes overgrown in places about one field before you must cross a wall to alight on a cul-de-sac road beside a house (Grid ref; M149096).

• There is a gentle gradient downhill until you reach the main road (R477) where you turn left and walk back to collect your certificate at the Fanore recreation area where you started hours ago.