The black lake
Dark water.
Nomasoft — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Gordon Hatton — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Vicuna R — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Michael Dibb — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Dieglop — CC BY-SA 4.0
Doolough Valley is a mountain valley in southwest County Mayo, Ireland, holding Doo Lough, whose Irish name means black lake, about 23 km southwest of Westport in a straight line, near Delphi. The R335 road runs through the valley between Louisburgh and Delphi. The lake is about 4 km long and 1 km wide and lies between Ben Lugmore, 803 metres high, and Barrclashcame, 772 metres high. At its southeast end rises Ben Gorm, 700 metres high. The lake belongs to a chain of connected lakes that drain to Killary Harbour, holds salmon, trout and Arctic char, and is part of a Special Area of Conservation. A stone cross memorial stands at its northern end. The dark water stretches between steep grassy slopes, and the mountains shift between green, brown and purple with the seasons and passing clouds. The valley has almost no houses, so the only sounds are wind, water and sheep. Visitors stop at small lay-bys along the road for photos, some walk a stretch of the road, and experienced hillwalkers head for the surrounding mountains. The valley combines well with Delphi and Killary Harbour in one day. The road is narrow, so drive with care.
Dark water.
803 m and 772 m.
Louisburgh to Delphi.
R335 road, between Louisburgh and Delphi, County Mayo, Ireland
Yes, at small lay-bys along the road.
It is narrow, so drive with care.