Ballycuggaran forest up Moylussa: route map, distance and time
532 m · County Clare · OS grid R648759
Moylussa is the 532 m county top of Clare, a boggy summit in the Slieve Bernagh hills above Killaloe and Lough Derg.
Follow forest tracks uphill, then cross open bog to the summit. Expect wet ground near the top.
Ballycuggaran forest at a glance
| Distance | 4.6 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 424 m |
| Time up | 1h 40m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 2h 35m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Ballycuggaran forest car park |
| Summit grid reference | R648759 |
Ballycuggaran forest map
The start (green) and the summit (blue). Peakify has no GPX track for this route yet, so follow the description and your map.
Height profile and getting to the start
Near the start
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
How long Ballycuggaran forest takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 20m | 2h 5m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 40m | 2h 35m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 0m | 3h 10m |
Times leave out stops. Coming down the same way, the table counts the ascent once; steep descents on rough ground can be as slow as the climb.
- Today: sunrise 08:05, sunset 18:32. Start by 14:57 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 35m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 08:07, sunset 18:30. Start by 14:55 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 35m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Moylussa summit weather for this route
-
Good Today Sunday 18 October
Mainly clear, up to 8°C at the summit, feeling as cold as 0°C, summit wind 6 mph gusting 12 mph, 0% chance of rain. Rated Good. Sunrise 08:05, sunset 18:32.
-
Good Tomorrow Monday 19 October
Mostly dry, up to 7°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -2°C, summit wind 22 mph gusting 28 mph, 12% chance of rain. Rated Good. Sunrise 08:07, sunset 18:30.
Best day of the next seven for Ballycuggaran forest: Sunday 18 October, with summit gusts around 12 mph and a 0% chance of rain.
Hour-by-hour Moylussa forecast
What to take today
- An insulated jacket, hat and warm gloves: it feels like 0°C on top.
- A waterproof jacket. It can rain on the tops in any forecast.
- Map and compass, and the skills to use them. A phone is a backup, not a plan.
- A head torch, food, water, a charged phone and a small first aid kit.
About Moylussa
Moylussa is the 532 m county top of Clare, a boggy summit in the Slieve Bernagh hills above Killaloe and Lough Derg. More about Moylussa, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Marilyn, Arderin, historic county top, county top.
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location, what happened and how many are in your group. If you have no signal for a call, a text to 999 works once you have registered your phone with emergencySMS: text "register" to 999 before you go.
Ballycuggaran forest: questions and answers
How far is Ballycuggaran forest?
Ballycuggaran forest is 4.6 km one way to the summit of Moylussa, with 424 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 9.2 km.
How long does Ballycuggaran forest take?
About 1h 40m to the summit of Moylussa and 2h 35m there and back by Naismith's rule (5 km/h plus 10 minutes per 100 m of ascent), before stops. A relaxed group takes nearer 3h 10m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Ballycuggaran forest?
Ballycuggaran forest starts from Ballycuggaran forest car park.
Is Ballycuggaran forest suitable for beginners?
Yes, for fit walkers on a clear day. Peakify grades it Moderate: a long climb on a made path, but the top is high, exposed and colder than the start. Turn back if the cloud comes down and you can't navigate.
What time should I start Ballycuggaran forest today?
By 14:57 at the latest. Sunset on Moylussa today is 18:32, Ballycuggaran forest takes about 2h 35m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Ballycuggaran forest?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).