Diamond Hill
Starting and ending at the Visitor�s Centre in Connemara National Park, Diamond Hill is a circuit consisting of two circular loop trails-- Upper Diamond Hill and Lower Diamond Hill-- conjoined in the middle in a figure eight fashion. Both sections are fabulously maintained trails that have undergone extensive restoration work, completed in March �06, with extensive stone work and switch-backs through the steeper sections, and large stretches of board walk along the lowlands. Taken as a whole the entire circuit measure some 7 km.
Upper Diamond Hill trail, measuring some 3.7 km, switches its way through a rugged white-quartzite landscape, ascending to the summit of Diamond Hill, where one is rewarded with expansive panoramic vistas across all of Connemara, the Twelve Ben mountains to the North and East, far down below Kylemore Abbey and Lough, Tully Mountain to the West, and to the North the summit of Mweelrea, Connaught�s highest mountain.
Lower Diamond Hill, measuring some 3 km, gains modest heights, enough to provide sensational territorial views, particularly of the surrounding Connemara coastline and islands, including Inishbofin, before descending back down through a placid valley, full of quietude and striking examples of Connemara�s blanket bog.
Purists who prefer a slog through the bog may wince at the improvements to Diamond Hill Trail. But this after all Connemara National Park and the powers that be made a wise investment in resource protection.
Diamond Hill Trail is not particularly challenging, though highly rewarding. The trail is well sign posted and highly accessible, even for the novice who may lack proper footwear. That is to say, Diamond Hill makes for an ideal excuse to leave behind the car for a few hours, stretch your legs, get your blood flowing, and experience firsthand the essence of Connemara�s wilds.
If You Go: Connemara National Park headquarters outside Letterfrack provides a nice starting and ending point for the journey. In the summer time, the headquarters includes a tea room, as well as Audio-visual interpretive information. In the off-season you�ll likely to only find locked doors, even to the toilets. Provision and refreshments are readily available in the village of Letterfrack.
