Leacan

About Leacan

Located in the rugged northern section of the Maumturk Mountains, this quartzite peak offers a demanding ascent typical of Connemara’s wild character. Positioned between Binn Mhór and Letterbreckaun, it provides a dramatic vantage point over the Inagh Valley, looking directly across at the jagged profiles of the Twelve Bens.

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Did You Know?

• •The name derives from the Irish 'Leacán', meaning a stony hillside or slope, a literal description of the steep, slab-covered flanks that define this part of the range.
• •The peak overlooks the dramatic glacial pass of Maumahoge to the south, home to a high-altitude lough that sits in a col between Leacan and Binn Mhór.
• •Hikers reaching the top are rewarded with a clear view of Killary Harbour to the north-west, where the dark waters of the fjord contrast sharply with the pale quartzite slopes.
• •The terrain is dominated by Dalradian quartzite, a hard, ancient rock that provides excellent grip when dry but becomes notoriously slick during the frequent Atlantic rain showers.
• •Attempting to find the quickest line through the crags in a thick Connemara mist is a classic local test of both navigation and patience.