Maumturks Mountains

The Maumturks (Maamturks) are a rugged mountain range in Connemara in County Galway on Ireland’s west coast, known for steep rocky ridges and the popular long-distance ridge walk. The range forms one of Connemara’s principal upland features.

The mountains are natural landscape features shaped by glacial and post-glacial processes; they have long been part of local grazing and rural land use patterns rather than sites of permanent settlement. Modern recreational use grew with hillwalking and mountaineering in the 20th century.

The Maumturks run through Connemara in western County Galway, west of Galway city and inland from the Atlantic coast, occupying a remote and sparsely settled upland area.

• Maumturks Challenge: Experienced hillwalkers often tackle the full Maumturks Challenge - a long, technical ridge walk along the range that is offered as an organized event by local mountaineering clubs.

The Maumturks are reachable from the village of Leenane and from various points in County Galway. From Galway city, drive west on the N59 toward Clifden and use regional roads to approach the ranges; public buses serve larger towns nearby but local taxi or private vehicle is recommended for access to trailheads.

• If attempting the Maumturks Challenge (a long ridge walk), start at dawn and carry a detailed map - parts of the ridge are pathless.
• Weather changes fast; expect wind and fog even on summer days and be prepared for boggy ground after rain.
• Public transport to the nearest villages is limited on Sundays; check schedules or arrange a taxi for return.