Route: Maamturks Challange (Ireland)

The Maamturks Challange is a popular hiking route in Connamara and is considered one of the toughest hiking challenges in Ireland. It's location, being on the west coast of Ireland, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, is both spectacular and unpredictable with ever-changing weather patterns.

More details on the route along with a GPX can found at: http://walkjohnnywalk.com/maamturks-challenge/

The Maamturks Ultra Challenge is a looped route starting and finishing at Leenane hotel, covering a distance of about 55 km with around 3000 metres of ascent. The idea originated during the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown, as a way to extend the traditional linear Maamturks Challenge into a loop circuit that avoids the logistics of carpooling. Although originally conceived as a logistical convenience, the route showcases the best trails in Connemara and creates probably the toughest hiking challenge in the country. The standard Maamturks challenge already has a reputation of being the second toughest hiking challenge in Ireland. This extended version adds an extra 30 km of waymarked trail to the traditional route, but the extra hardship is compensated for by vistas of a beautiful scenic trail along the Western Way.

The Maamturks Ultra Challenge starts and finishes at Leenane Hotel in the village of Leenaun. The route begins by following the Western Way for 30 km to the start of the traditional Maamturks Challenge and continues along the route of the Maamturks Challenge back to Leeanne Hotel. The route can be done in either direction, with the clock starting and stopping at Leenane hotel.

More details of the route are available at WalkJohnnyWalk.