New walking track on Diamond Hill

Walkers have begun using Ireland's longest purpose-built mountain track, a 4.26km (2.65 mile) route to the top of Diamond Hill in Connemara.

The route, a combination of wooden boardwalk and stone path, was completed in time for Christmas, when fine weather attracted hundreds of walkers.

With the completion of the route, the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of the Department of the Environment lifted a three-year ban on walking on Diamond Hill, imposed because of severe erosion on the mountain.

A department spokesman said the ban proved successful and the natural habitat has been largely regenerated.

Diamond Hill, which rises to almost 500m, lies in a candidate Special Area of Conservation. The walkway starts in the village of Letterfrack and passes through Connemara National Park on the way to the summit.

Some €63,480 of timber which had been bought for the walkway could not be used because it contained chromated copper arsenate, a chemical preservative commonly used in decking, which could leach into the soil.

A department spokesman said the timber was purchased in 2002, just before an EU directive came into effect banning the use of timber treated in this way in certain situations.

"As the timber for Diamond Hill was professionally treated, it was exempted from the directive; however, having considered the directive, the department decided against using the timber in this project."

The NPWS asked the suppliers who originally tendered for the timber if they wanted to buy it back, but received just one offer of €1,600. It was then put up for tender, and sold last month for €3,300.

To minimise the impact of the construction works, helicopters were used to bring in the stones and timber used in the project.

About 80,000 people visit the national park each year and, before the ban was imposed, 10,000 used to attempt the climb.

The department expects this figure to be matched again now that the walkway has been completed. Access to the park is free although there is an entry charge for the visitor centre.

Litter bins are not provided in the park or on the hill as a matter of policy, the spokesman said. "Rather, NPWS staff seek to educate visitors on the problems caused by casual littering and encourage them to take away picnic refuse, etc. This policy has proved successful and will be continued in the future."

The planks used are grooved to minimise the risk of slips, and a one-way system applies at the top to reduce the possibility of accidents.

Asked about the issue of liability, the spokesman said the State, in common with other property owners, was responsible only for incidents that occur through its own negligence.

The department is considering an official opening of the walkway in the spring.