I’ve seen the Galtymore Loop hike described online as ‘character building’. I definitely would agree with this assessment. Especially if like me, the rain blows sideways at you as you cross the valley between Cush and Galtybeg. Despite this, I really enjoyed the 13km looped walk in the Galty Mountains.
Galtymore Loop Hike Details
- Location: On the border between Tipperary and Limerick, Galtymore marks the highest point in both counties.
- Distance: 13km
- Type of Walk: Looped Walk
- Time Required: It took me 5 hours including a stop for a damp lunch overlooking Lough Curra. I kept a steady pace throughout. It could be done more quickly however many people do need 6+ hours to complete the loop.
- Elevation Gain: 1,178m
- Difficulty Level: Very difficult. Even in good weather, I would have found this tough going. The ground is soft underfoot in many places and a strong level of fitness is required. Good navigational skills are needed too.
Map of the Galtymore Loop Hike
I used and would recommend this detailed map from alltrails.com.
Where to Start the Galtymore Loop Hike
I parked up the car just after 8a.m. in Cush Car Park on a Tuesday morning in early June. The starting point is a 2 hour drive from Dublin so this was an early start for me. Unsurprisingly there weren’t too many other vehicles there. The car park is big enough though so caters well for the bigger weekend crowds.
Unfortunately, there are no public transport options. You will need a car to get there.
After grabbing all I needed from the car, I walked back to the car park entrance and turned right up a little boreen to start my Galtymore Loop hike.
Up the Road
As I moved uphill along the road, my first target of the Galtymore Loop hike became apparent. The imposing summit of Cush Mountain loomed menacingly in the distance.
After 300m or so, I needed to leave the road and turned left up a few little steps and over a stile into a field.
Up Cush
Once into the field, I could see my days walking clearly laid out in front of me. Directly ahead stood Cush Mountain. To the right and across the valley from Cush, the triple peaks of Galtybeg, Galtymore and Slievecushnabinnia stood shrouded in clouds. After Cush, I would be summiting two of these and going across the shoulder of the third.
I found navigating to the top of Cush straightforward enough. I followed the well worn path through the fields.
The closer I got to Cush, the steeper the ascent became. Especially so as I neared the peak.
The steep climb certainly felt worth it when I reached the top of Cush (641m) though. The views were spectacular. The sheerness of the cliff edges at the top really added to the drama of the scenery.
Across the Windswept Valley
After the steep climb to get to the peak of Cush, I was looking forward to catching a break and having an easy stroll down Cush and across the valley floor.
This wasn’t to be the case.
Within minutes, I needed to stop and put on my wet gear. Rain had arrived. And arrived with force. With the valley acting as a natural wind tunnel, I found myself getting hammered by horizontal rain.
The underfoot conditions are quite wet in places here. So my boots really got tested on their waterproofness.
Thankfully, the heavy rain didn’t last too long. Unfortunately though, the clouds dropped significantly with half of Galtybeg now covered.
The Steep Climb to Galtybeg
I found the ascent to Cush difficult. The climb to Galtybeg was even tougher. The gradient is steep for the guts of a kilometre. I plodded through this energy sapping section and visibility became poorer as I went.
On clear days, you would have nice views of Borheen Lough to your left. I only caught an occasional glimpse through the clouds.
I needed to pick my way through the rocky upper sections of Galtybeg before finally reaching the top after just over 5km of walking.
Towards Galtymore
Amazingly, a couple of minutes from the top of Galtybeg, I had a clear (ish) view of Galtymore. The clouds had gathered in the valley approaching Galtybeg but once I came to the other side of the mountain – visibility became much clearer.
I really enjoyed the kilometre of walking between the top of Galtybeg and before it started to get too steep on the way up Galtymore.
I finally had a bit more of a view and the trail along the exposed cliffs took my breath away.
Of course, I knew I had a steep climb to reach the highest point of the day (indeed Galtymore is the highest point in Ireland outside the McGillycuddy Reeks). If anything though, I found this a little easier than the approach to Galtybeg.
The top of Galtymore is broad and flat with a stone cairn on either end and a white Celtic cross at a viewing point between them. The first cairn you meet marks the true summit of Galtymore.
Starting the Second Half of the Galtymore Loop Hike
I walked 6.5km to reach the top of Galtymore. Halfway through, I now needed to complete my Galtymore Loop. I passed the white cross which unfortunately offered up no nice views through the clouds. Then passed the cairn of the other end of the mountain top.
The path stretched out in front of me to a stone wall slightly further down the mountain. So I headed for the Galtee Wall.
Built in the 19th century, the Galtee Wall runs for 3.5km between Lyracappul and Galtymore. While built after the Great Famine, it is still known as a famine wall given the reason for being built was to provide employment to locals during a period of hardship during the 1870’s.
For the next kilometre or so, I simply followed the wall. During this time, I stopped and ate my packed lunch while enjoying wonderful views out over Lough Curra.
(Un)Steadily Downhill
The wall turned left (westwards) and up the slope of Slievecushnabinnia. However, the Galtymore Loop hike went right and up over the shoulder of the mountain. I found the gradient gentle enough and for the first time in a while made good pace as I walked.
Ironically, this good pace came to a halt as I started going downhill. I enjoyed this section of the Galtymore Loop hike the least to be honest. The ground underfoot alternated between loose stones, muck and short grass. All of which had become very slippy following the recent rain.
I needed to watch every step and regretted not bringing my walking poles with me.
Despite this, my spirits remained high. I could now see Glengarra Wood in front of me. I knew the carpark lay through the woods so the end of the Galtymore Loop Hike lay in sight.
Completing the Galtymore Loop Hike
As I moved downhill, the terrain became less rugged and I passed through green fields before reaching the forest after just over 12km of walking. Before entering the forest, I took one last look back at the mountains now towering above me.
I crossed a stile into the woods and followed the path in front of me. As I moved along, the path changed into a wider forestry road. It felt good to have a firm footing again.
In no time, I arrived back at the car park. My Galtymore Loop Hike was over!
This had been a tough hike in difficult weather conditions but I really enjoyed it.
Other Recommended Walks Nearby
- Check out my article on the 7km Glengarra Wood Millenium Trail
Accommodation Options in the Area
- Aherlow House Hotel – located just 10 minutes from the start point.
- Shadowvale – a peaceful countryside B&B also within 10 minutes of the trailhead.