Blackstairs challenge

Blackstairs Walk 2019. 

The 2019 Blackstairs Walk will take place on 18th May. Pre-registration is required, it will not be possible to register on the day.

Registration will open in February 2019. Keep an eye on this page for further announcements.

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blackstairs 

The Blackstairs marathon walk

Details below refer to 2018 Walk
The Blackstairs Walk is a 31 km mountain walk along the Carlow-Wexford border. The walk begins at Killanure (Grid Ref. S 890 537) off the R746  road from Bunclody to Kiltealy, and ends at Byrnes Pub in Glynn, Co. Carlow (Grid Ref. S 745 395). The walk involves a cumulative ascent of 1,670 metres and takes an average of 9 hours to complete. A certificate will be awarded to all those who complete the walk.
 

ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST:-

  • Be over 16 years of age. Participants between the ages of 12 and 16 will only be considered if they are accompanied by an adult who is an experienced hill-walker at all times while on the walk. Entrants under 12 are not allowed.
  • Be in fit physical condition.
  • Have reasonable hill walking experience.
  • Have wind and waterproofclothing, and wear suitable hiking boots.
  • Have a compass and Ordnance Survey Discovery Series Map No. 68, or Blackstairs Map from East West Mapping
  • Start the walk between 7.30 and 8.30 A.M.
  • Reach the Checkpoint at Scullogue Gap not later than 1.00 P.M.
  • Finish the walk not later than 6.30 P.M.
  • Carry their Control cards during the walk.
  • Pay the entry fee (€25, including transport from Glynn to start, or €20 excluding transport).  Price includes food at end of walk and registration fee.
  • No dogs allowed on the walk

Rules

  1. Stewards may refuse entry and shall not be obliged to disclose a reason.
  2. Stewards may disqualify participants who do not reach the checkpoints within the allotted times, or who are unfit in their opinion to complete the walk.
  3. Participants must follow the route designated.
  4. Participants shall only leave the walk at a checkpoint, having first surrendered their control card and informed the stewards that they are doing so.
  5. The organisers of the walk shall not be responsible for any mishap, injury or damage regardless of the cause.
  6. In the event of an accident, Stewards at the nearest checkpoint should be informed as soon as possible.
  7. Participants are requested not to leave litter, and avoid damage to private property, fences etc.
Buses will leave at 6.45am for the start of the walk. Participants are advised not to drive to the start as there is NO official transport from the finish back to the start.
 
Registration
Online registration opening at approx. .
 
Maps

EastWest Mapping have produced a 1:25000 Map of the Blackstairs area, which is available costing €9.95 plus P&P from www.eastwestmapping.ie . It should also be available at O'Leary's (Bunclody) and Great Outdoors (Dublin).

blackstairs profile

(note - we do not recommend you do Knockroe, as the descent is over very difficult ground. There's a path to the left which is the preferred route.

 

blackstairs aerial

Useful Information

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Buses will leave from Glynn for the start of the walk.. Participants are advised not to drive to the start as there is NO official transport from the finish back to the start. The bus should be used to the start.

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Contact

Organiser: Ronan O'Connor
 EMail:   This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Itinerary

06:45am
Buses leave Glynn for the start of the walk.
07.30am
Official start time of the walk at Killanure.

08:30am
Latest start time at Killanure.

Accommodation

Accommodation is your own responsibility to organise.

This is not a exhaustive list of accommodation in the area.

 St. Mullins / Glynn / Drummond
 Mulvarra House   353-51-424 936 
 Waterside   353-59-9724 246
 Farmhouse, Ballybeg Big, Ballymurphy Rooms and Camping - John Coady 087 7706476 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
 Graiguenamanagh / Borris
 Helen Doyle   353-59-9724 625 
 Step House Hotel, Borris   353 - 59-9773 209
 Mount Brandon Cottages, Tinnahinch   085-7317501 or 059-9724789

website:www.mountbrandoncottages.com
e.mail:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.