From the Muckish Gap up Muckish: route map, distance and time

A steep climb on scree and rock from the gap road onto the stony summit plateau, then north-east across it to the cairn.

From the Muckish Gap at a glance

From the Muckish Gap 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

How long From the Muckish Gap takes

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 08:07, sunset 18:26. Start by 15:41 to be down before dark, allowing 1h 45m for the walk and an hour for stops.
• Tomorrow: sunrise 08:09, sunset 18:24. Start by 15:39 to be down before dark, allowing 1h 45m for the walk and an hour for stops.

Muckish summit weather for this route

• Good Today Sunday 18 October

  Clear sky, up to 7°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -4°C, summit wind 14 mph gusting 27 mph, 0% chance of rain. Rated Good. Sunrise 08:07, sunset 18:26.

• Marginal Tomorrow Monday 19 October

  Overcast, up to 7°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -2°C, summit wind 38 mph gusting 48 mph, 0% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 08:09, sunset 18:24.

Best day of the next seven for From the Muckish Gap: Sunday 18 October, with summit gusts around 27 mph and a 0% chance of rain.

Hour-by-hour Muckish forecast

What to take today

• An insulated jacket, hat and warm gloves: it feels like -4°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 Muckish

Muckish is a 667 m flat-topped mountain in north Donegal, known for its long table-like summit and the old quartz mine workings on its north face. More about Muckish, with the live forecast.

On the lists: Hewitt, Marilyn, Arderin, Vandeleur-Lynam.

Challenges that include Muckish

• Hewitts · 523

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.

From the Muckish Gap: questions and answers

How far is From the Muckish Gap?

From the Muckish Gap is 2.6 km one way to the summit of Muckish, with 447 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 5.2 km.

How long does From the Muckish Gap take?

About 1h 15m to the summit of Muckish and 1h 45m 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 2h 10m for the round trip.

Where do you park for From the Muckish Gap?

From the Muckish Gap starts from Muckish Gap roadside parking.

Is From the Muckish Gap 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 From the Muckish Gap today?

By 15:41 at the latest. Sunset on Muckish today is 18:26, From the Muckish Gap takes about 1h 45m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.

Is there a GPX for From the Muckish Gap?

Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).