The Holey Soles Hill Walking Club
Established in 1985, this friendly community walking club organizes graded hikes across the stunning hills and valleys of North Leitrim. Hosts the annual North Leitrim Glens Hill Walking Festival.
When and where
The Holey Soles Hill Walking Club meets on Sundays. That is once a month, so it is worth putting in the calendar. It meets at North Leitrim Glens (meeting in Manorhamilton/local trailheads), Co. Leitrim.
Times and venues do move, particularly at the start of a new season and around bank holidays, so it is worth confirming the next date with the group before travelling.
What to expect
The Holey Soles Hill Walking Club runs regular group walks in and around Co. Leitrim. The single most important thing to check before your first outing is the grade of the walk. A harder grade typically means four to six hours over rough, unmarked ground with real ascent, while an easier one means a few hours on tracks and lanes. Turning up to the wrong grade is the most common reason people do not come back.
Bring boots with ankle support, a waterproof jacket and trousers regardless of what the forecast says, food and more water than you expect to drink. Irish hill weather turns inside an hour, and club walks generally go ahead in rain as a matter of course.
Many clubs will take you on a trial walk before you commit to membership. Check the grade, the start time and the expected finish with the group first, and tell someone at home where you are going.
Who it suits
Walkers who want company and routes they would not find alone. Match the grade to your current fitness and hill experience rather than to your ambition.
Going along
The group's own site carries the current schedule and contact details. The link is on this page.