Glencushnabinnia Horseshoe | Northern Galtees

This horseshoe takes Slievecushnabinnia, Galtymore, Galtybeg and Cush starting from Clydagh Bridge and finishing at the same place.

Galtybeg & Galtymore seen from Cush

Lough Curra

The weather conditions on the day weren't great from the start and started getting worse as we followed the forestry road and the open field after crossing the fence. Soon we were forced to change our plan of doing the full loop starting with climbing Slievecushnabinnia. We decided that following the path to Lough Curra would be safer as we were more sheltered from the wind which can make rain unbearable. At the lake we were thinking about going back for a while but our decision was to give it a go and climb Lough Curra Gully and go to the top of Galtymore where we were going to make our last decision if to continue the loop or go down leaving Galtybeg and Cush for a better day..

Galtymore summit

Climbing up Lough Curra Gully wasn't too bad but when we reached the top and found ourselves in more open space it started to feel more like winter... We were trying to hide behind the stone wall and the shortest ones of us were the luckiest getting more shelter from the wind. That wall is the border between Limerick and Tipperary an it's one of many famine walls in Ireland. 

After having our lunch at the top of Galtymore the weather started to improve a little bit so we decided to continue the loop. At the col the clouds started clearing and we even got a little bit of Sunshine but Galtybeg summit was covered with fog again.

Foggy Galtybeg

The path going down north east side of Galtybeg is very steep but the views of lough Borheen Lough below on your right hand side and Cush mountain in front of you are amazing. Thankfully we got some sunny spells, but the wind was still very strong. Taking pictures from the top of Cush wasn't easy because of that wind and we didn't stay there long. As we followed our descent path we could see all the beauty of the Galtees.

A little bit of sunshine at the end of the day

The full horseshoe is about 14 km long and it's quite tough with some steep climbs. It offers amazing views on a clear day and takes about 5 to 6 hours depending on your pace. We missed Slievecushnabinnia this time because of bad weather at the start, but we managed to continue and finished the loop.

Galtymore & Galtybeg from King's Yard (South)

This was our first time in the Galtees as a club. The south side of this mountain range is much more gradual and easier to climb than the north one, but still it's a good hike especially if you do both Galtymore and Galtybeg. King's Yard has some facilities including bathrooms and refreshments similar to those known from Cronin's Yard in Kerry. To get there turn left from Mitchelstown bypass after Kilbeheny when going Cahir direction. You're now in County Limerick.

Galtymore summit | Looking North - West 

Galtymore | April 2017

From King's Yard we walked the road up to the sheep's pen and then turned right and started climbing straight up. It's a long but gradual climb, easy to follow on a clear day.

Galtymore | February 2016

The pictures above were taken in the same place and show how different mountains can look at different times of the year.

Us at the top

Luckily the top was clear and we were able to see the north side which is one of our next destinations. We discussed all the possible routes and can't wait to do the full loop taking Slievecushnabinnia, Galtymore, Galtybeg and Cush. After lunch we headed down and up again to the top of Galtybeg (Co Tipperary). This part of the trail is always busier and you meet a lot of people climbing up as you go down. This is the most known and popular route up Galtymore with the start point at the black road. The easiest but the longest as well. We used that route for going back after descending from Galtybeg but we didn't go as far as the black road.

The path to the river

We took the path turning right and down to the river to the point where we could safely cross it. Going back this way is longer as you have to walk back towards Galtymore a bit to avoid the forestry but it's a beautiful valley and a lovely walk. After having a closer look of this side of Galtymore we possibly found our new challenge for the future which is a steep gully going straight up to the top... There's more research to be done about the place but as far as we know it can be done and if it can be done it must be done and that's it.



After crossing the river, we climbed a little bit up where it was easier to walk and soon we met a path which will take you to the remains of an old abandoned cottage surrounded by some beautiful trees. What a location! We stayed there for a while and took some pictures. The way nature takes back places we once built and lived in is amazing. From that place the path becomes a little road which was long ago providing the only access to that remote house. That road soon meets the road to King's Yard near the sheep's pen. You can easily guess why nobody lives there anymore while walking all that distance back to the car park and from there there's still more to go to the nearest town or village.

The abandoned cottage

A nice walk we had again. See you soon on Hag's Tooth!