Diamond Hill
A panoramic summit.
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One of Ireland's eight national parks, in the north-west of wild Connemara on the west coast, opened in 1980 and covering 2,000 hectares of mountains, peat bogs, grassland and woodland; its land was once part of the Kylemore estate. The best-known walk climbs Diamond Hill on boardwalks and stone paths, and from the top there's a panorama over the Twelve Bens mountains, the Atlantic islands and Kylemore and its lake; there are shorter, easier trails for families too. The park is home to the famous Connemara ponies, bog plants and wildflowers, the remains of stone tombs about 4,000 years old, and a visitor centre explaining the landscape. Entry and the walking trails are free; the entrance is near Letterfrack village, about 90 minutes from Galway. Bring a rain jacket and proper shoes, as Connemara weather changes fast.
A panoramic summit.
Sturdy and small.
And wildflowers.
Letterfrack, Connemara, County Galway
The climb up Diamond Hill, with views of the Twelve Bens, the coast and Kylemore; entry is free.