Christmas doesn't have to be about sitting in front of the television. Hillwalking offers the perfect excuse to get out of the house and meet new people, writes John G O'Dwyer.
'Tis the season for family, friends and indolent togetherness. A few days cooped up en famille, however, and cabin fever can triumph over closeness. It is then that many of us will secretly dream of escaping the claustrophobic clutches of domesticity to a more intriguing world of stimulation and chance encounters with, perhaps, a little exercise thrown in as well.
For some the solution comes in the money-munching form of a visit to a nightclub. You can bet your bottom euro that our dance floors will be busy as beehives over the festive season. But before you don your boogie shoes, remember there are other alternatives, such as booting-up and heading for the hills.
These mornings the sun gets into the spirit of the season and rises late. The days are short, the shadows are long and the mellow winter sunlight comes diffused. It's the time of year when the weight of summer abundance is lifted from the outdoors and the landscape breathes easily once again.
On a clear frosty morning the first lungful of astringent air is guaranteed to be icily invigorating. The previously muddy mountain tracks of autumn now crunch satisfyingly beneath our feet while dull lines of conifers are transformed into eye-watering tapestries. Choose the right morning and our hill country becomes a winter wonderland too good to miss.
And then there is the other attraction of hillwalking - the fact that mostly we do it in the company of others. Over the holiday season, in particular, our most popular mountains take on the aspect of animated human anthills and a special camaraderie develops. You see, one of the best places to make new acquaintances is on a mountain trail and you don't need clever chat-up lines or lungs to compete with disco music.
Individuals who gaze fixedly into the middle distance on a crowded Luas are now to be seen conversing naturally with complete strangers. It is the perfect opportunity for the reticent to become talkative and the talkative to become animated. People want to know where others are headed, what difficulties lie ahead, what the weather is like on top and so on, until the hillside takes the flavour of an elongated reunion of lost acquaintances.
PROPELLING OURSELVES TO higher altitudes is a curious business - it always seems to leave us with plenty to drink about afterwards. And so with daylight drowning in the west, most of us can be relied upon to head for a nearby hostelry. Tired, thirsty and high on the spirit of the hills, it's hardly surprising that these elements coalesce to form an irrepressible sense of well-being and goodwill. We may wrestle briefly with our consciences over such indulgence but invariably we win this contest easily, since our guilt is now lessened by previous exertion.
And so, alcohol flows, fries, sambos and coffee disappear alarmingly, while the initial hum of conversation rises to a deafening clamour. Suddenly, even reserved novice walkers find they are chatting to complete strangers and offering unblinking advice on the best technique for bagging boggy Irish Bens.
So why not get your feet working again and celebrate the wonders of winter instead of hiding yourself indoors. Plump for one of the mountains listed below and some of the unsung wonders of the Irish landscape will reveal themselves. For family walking you can start by ascending one of the easier hills, where a well-trodden path leads unerringly to the summit. Since all are of relatively modest height, you have a better chance of avoiding mist and enjoying plenty of "Kodak moments" along the way.
Otherwise, if you feel cheated out of the traditional white Christmas by global warming and your quad muscles are in reasonable shape, about 90 minutes will get you up two of our highest summits. Once on the summit of Galteemore or Lugnaquilla you will have at least a 50/50 chance of wallowing in the white stuff at some time over the festive season.
Remember, however, that clear tracks don't go all the way to these two summits and so navigation skills will be required in misty conditions.
Torc Mountain outside Killarney offers spectacular scenery and a convenient boardwalk to the summit. Access it by following the Kerry Way from Torc Waterfall towards Kenmare and then taking the boardwalk upwards from this trail.
Slievenamon can be accessed by following a distinct track from a well sign-posted starting point. This starting point lies just above Kilcash village, Co Tipperary, and is about 15km east of Clonmel.
Brandon Hill in Co Kilkenny offers magnificent views for modest effort. Turn left off the Inistogue road just outside Graiguenamanagh and park in a forest clearing. Then follow the marked route easily to the summit cross and the vast tablecloth of the south-east stretches beneath your feet.
GALTEEMORE IS IRELAND'S highest inland mountain and requires a little more heart-thumping effort. You can reach the summit by following the signpost from the Cahir-Mitchelstown road near the tiny village of Skeenarinky. Its height and location mean that it holds snow longer than any other Irish inland peak.
As for Lugnaquilla, much of Ireland's snowfall comes from the east and the Lug, as our highest mountain outside Kerry, is well placed to claim a lion's share. The quickest ascent is from west Wicklow's Glen of Imaal. Follow a road and then a track east by the fledgling River Slaney until a sharp rise brings you to the Lugnaquilla summit plateau.
John G O'Dwyer leads hillwalking groups in the Irish mountains
After the ham and turkey: Organised winter walks
The Turkey Challenge (St Stephen's Day)
The Croí annual Turkey Walk through scenic Annaghdown, Co Galway, is a great way to shed Christmas lethargy without sending muscles into spasm. This annual event comes without the inconvenience of hills and is for walkers of all ages, who complete a 16km loop, leaving from Annaghdown Community Centre at 12.30pm. Refreshments are provided on return and a great day out is guaranteed. Further details from Peter Flaherty on 086-2515263 or visit www.croi.ie.
LARCC with the Devil (Dec 27)
Ascend Tipperary's modest Devil's Bit Mountain (it's only half the height of Carrantuohill) while supporting the battle against cancer. This popular annual walk leaves from outside the Templemore Arms Hotel in Co Tipperary at 10.30am, with a shorter ramble leaving at 12pm. Afterwards participants are rewarded for their efforts with complimentary hot toddies in a convivial pub atmosphere. For further information visit www.larcc.ie or contact Claire Bohan at 0504-33323 or 086-8734665.
Ramble o'er Lakes and Fells (Dec 29)
Kerry folk have been dealt a wonderful geographic hand and have played it well. Their latest venture is a programme of wilderness walks right through the Christmas season. On Friday, December 29th, a particularly attractive walk of 6½ hours will traverse the scenic Bride and Black Valleys and continue through the ancient oak woods at Derrycunnihy. The walk is fully guided and the cost is €10. Further information on 1850-566466 or visit www.corkkerry.ie.
Become a souper-trooper (Dec 31)
If you are a fit, experienced hill walker, you are welcome to join in with the Enniskerry-based Souper-Trooper Hillwalkers for a New Year's Eve hike. They are organising an outing to Lugnaquilla summit via Glenmalure, leaving at 10am. Further information is available from Albert Smith on 01-2862311.
Become a follower of Art (Jan 5)
If you're fit enough to walk 25km and climb a mountain about the size of Ben Nevis along the way, the Art O'Neill Walk may be just the ticket. The walk commemorates the 415th anniversary of the escape of Red Hugh O'Donnell, Henry and Art O'Neill. It leaves at midnight on Friday, January 5th, from Dublin Castle and ends 64km away at Ballinacor, Co Wicklow. For further information, contact Tom Milligan at 086-0826857 or evenings at 01-2883312. For experienced walkers only.