r/HikingIreland • u/nowarabx • May 26 '25
Hiking Glencoaghan Horseshoe in June
My friend and I are visiting Ireland next month and we're interested in doing a challenging full day hike. Has anyone done this trek? Any advise? Thanks in advance!
2
u/Chavways May 27 '25
Did it a few years ago and about half way through, the cloud and rain came in and we had about 5 metres visibility just as we got to the scrambling section up Benbreen (I think). Not a good place to be when the weather turns.
Make sure you can navigate and don't put all your trust in apps. Bring plenty to eat and spare layers.
We started on the Derryclare side and went anticlockwise. Benlettery is a pain in the arse to descend because there's no defined trail so it's slow. I think it took us 6/7 hours if not more. Unless you have 2 cars, you'll have to walk back the N59 for a bit.
Amazing hike though. So cool to be in at the back of the horseshoe looking out towards South Connemara.
3
u/nimhne May 27 '25
I did it a good few years ago, and abandoned it another time as the weather was just too bad.
It's a long tough walk, bring plenty of water, look at the escape routes down into the valley It's one of the best walks in Ireland, nothing too tricky.