Binn Gabhar

About Binn Gabhar

Occupying a prominent position in the southern Twelve Bens, this quartzite peak is a key waypoint on the classic Glencoaghan Horseshoe. Its steep, scree-strewn flanks rise sharply above Derryclare Lough, offering a rugged experience typical of Connemara’s wild interior. The summit provides a spectacular vantage point over the Maumturk Mountains to the east.

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Did You Know?

• •The name Binn Gabhar translates from the Irish as 'Peak of the Goats'. It refers to the feral goats that have historically roamed the steep, rocky crags of the Twelve Bens, though they are less commonly spotted today than the ubiquitous hill sheep.
• •The mountain is primarily composed of Dalradian quartzite. This exceptionally hard, pale rock gives the range its distinctive white-grey appearance and is responsible for the sharp, knee-straining scree found on the approach to the summit.
• •It forms a vital section of the Glencoaghan Horseshoe, a strenuous high-level circuit often cited as the finest ridge walk in Ireland, connecting Binn Gabhar with its neighbours Binn Corr and Derryclare.
• •From the summit, walkers are rewarded with a clear view of the complex 'drowned' landscape of the Connemara coast to the south, and the narrow, deep trench of the Inagh Valley directly to the east.
• •While the name suggests a nimble-footed ascent, the reality for most visitors involves a slow, deliberate grind through loose stone and frequent pauses to check that the Atlantic mist hasn't swallowed the next cairn.