April 8, 2020 all-day
CONTACT:
NUIG Mountaineering Club
Event website
First ran in 1975, the Maamturks challenge has been a focal point of hillwalking in Ireland for over 40 years. Situated between the beautiful communities of Maam and Leenane, the nature of the event is considered unique both within and outside of Ireland.
Participants are required to complete a full transverse of the famous Maamturks mountain range, a notoriously barren and rock terrain. With ridges, cliffs and numerous valleys, participants in the walk are generally some of the most experienced hillwalkers Ireland has to offer. Despite the challenge of the event, it is rare to only ever participate once. Many participants are drawn back each year as an annual pilgrimage to meet with friends from around the country.
Ran by Students
Each year, over 50 students from NUI Galway Mountaineering club take time out of their studies to organise and staff this event for the benefit of the hillwalking community in Ireland as well as the local communities. On the day of the event, support is provided by Galway Radio Experimenters Club , Galway Mountain Rescue and the local landowners.
Participants
Despite the challenge of the event, it is rare for a participant to only ever complete it once. Every year over 70% of our participants return to complete the challenge again. “It’s a great hill walking experience and an opportunity to meet walkers from all over Ireland “
Community
The event is based between the communities of Leenane and Maam. These are some of the few traditional Irish communities that remain on the west coast. The event brings over 400 people to these areas across the weekend, many participants bringing friends and family to experience these areas.