Western Way – Maam to Leenane 30k

The Western Way – Maam to Leenane is a challenging 30km point-to-point mountain race in Connemara, County Galway, organised by the Irish Mountain Running Association. Runners assemble in Leenane and are bussed to the start in Maam, then follow the waymarked Western Way trail across remote, rugged terrain in the Maumturk Mountains. The route mixes quiet roads, bog roads, open moorland, forestry tracks and mountain paths, with sustained climbing as it threads between peaks before a long descent toward Killary Harbour. Views along the way take in the Maumturks and the fjord itself. The course finishes back in Leenane at the Leenaun car park. Rated a Difficulty 9 event on IMRA's scale, it demands sound navigation, fitness and full mandatory kit given the remote, exposed ground and the likelihood of harsh November weather on race day.