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.

Black Mare Gully up Carrauntoohil

Carrauntoohil from the other side for change and much less know ascent route. Black Mare Gully is located at the eastern end of the Coomloughra Glen and it starts from the Hydro Road car park. 

Climbing up the grassy Black Mare Gully

Follow the steep concrete road until you reach Lough Eighter and  then, instead of climbing up for Caher route or Skregmore to Beenkeragh ridge, continue on the left side of the lakes rising up slightly. The path might not be clearly visible in places, but with having the lakes on your right hand side you can't go wrong.

Caher Ridge in front of us

The views of the lakes and the valley on a clear day are just fantastic and luckily we could enjoy them, despite a few showers, as we walked straight towards the steep slopes of Carrauntoohil and Caher, having Caher Ridge just in front of us. Soon we arrived to the top of the last of the three lakes and started climbing up to the bottom of the gully. The gully is very steep and grassy with some small loose stones. It's much less climbed than the other gullies (O'sheas, Central and Curved) and that makes it more difficult. There's no obvious path, you just have to find your own, avoiding standing on loose stones when possible and using your hands when needed.

Half way up the gully

Looking towards Caher

It can be very slippery after the rain. This side of the mountain  remains in the shade for most of the time and stay wetter for longer. And we were climbing it just after the rain... 

We had to hold on to the grass with our hands with each step. It was a bit awkward sometimes but we managed to the top without any major problems.

At the top of the gully you join the path which is Caher route and a part of Coomloughra Horseshoe. You're only 10 - 15 minutes away from the summit and its only about 300 m of a gradual climb north-west direction.

The view from the top of the gully

From the top after lunch break we descended via Caher route following the ridge to the top and then down and up again to Caher West Top. All it's left after that is a long and gradual descent, just perfect to kill your knees if they didn't suffer so far. And if they're still ok after that, the last steep section of the concrete road will do the job. But you'll of course forget everything about the knee pain the day after (or maybe two) and go climbing again as soon as possible. That's what we always do. We're addicted with no doubt :)

Caher, another climb before descending