Walk in a winter wonderland

Tis the season when even the sun empathises with the national mood and becomes a tardy riser. It is also the time when many of us fantasise about curling up snugly by the fireside as the elements rage beyond the window panes.

Sure you’d be crazy to go rambling with all those cold abbreviated days and ceaseless rain. Wrong!

Winter can be a most rewarding time among the hills and you are no more likely to be rained on than in summer.

There is also the welcome advantage that you are less likely to suffer in your efforts, for this season lifts the burden of abundance and allows our uplands breathe easily again.

Midges, luxuriant, foot snaring vegetation, energy sapping heat and holiday hordes disappear as the hill country becomes barer, browner and decidedly more peaceful and walker friendly.

Whether you ramble in the moody half twilight of a post-Christmas afternoon; the eye-watering whiteness of a frosty January morning, or a February day when the hills stand white-veiled like nurses of yore, the winter landscape richly rewards the intrepid.

And if you don’t want any jiggery-pokery with navigation, plenty of fully organised outings are available.

Winter walking events were once as rare as skydiving nuns, but they have become more common.

Planned to within an inch of a waypoint, they are ideal for newcomers wishing to safely experience the outdoors at its most evocative.

Conveniently eliminating route finding concerns, they allow all comers to relax into the walk and appreciate the wonders of the winter landscape.

So this Christmas season why not make a resolution to forego the claustrophobic, headache inducing option of hibernating indoors.

Instead, wrap up warmly and get outdoors to embrace the crisp, invigorating air and captivating bleakness of our winter hills on one of the events listed below.

Get some further earth on your boots with the options on offer in the New Year and you will quickly discover that rambling the Irish countryside is a gift that keeps on giving.

Night moves

December 21 Why not mark the longest night of the year, not by hiding indoors from the darkness, but by embracing the outdoors instead. Head for the Co Tipperary village of Upperchurch tomorrow evening at 6.30pm to register for a bracing night walk.

Along the way there is a stop for seasonal readings and a haunting carol service that traditionally finishes with Fairytale of New York.

Another attraction of this immensely popular annual event are the lashings of mulled wine, hot lemonade and mince pies that are provided on the darkened hillside as lights twinkle atmospherically in the valley below.

Information from 0504-54284/086-0518934 or upperchurch.ie

Chariot road

December 26 Walk off over-indulgence on St Stephen's Day by joining the traditional four-hour organised walk that follows the prehistoric route between the ancient monastic site at Aughagower and Ballintubber Abbey, Co Mayo.

Originally a chariot road linking Rathcruachan, the seat of the kings and queens of Connaught to Croagh Patrick, this low-level hike traverses fields, minor roads and pathways that virtually groan under the weight of antiquities.

The meeting point is Ballintubber Abbey and walkers are then transported to the start point.

For further information contact Ballintubber Abbey office, on 094-9030934 or info@ballintubberabbey.ie.

Beauty of the Blooms

December 26 Discover the solitude of the Slieve Bloom mountains while supporting a good cause on the 22nd Annual Slieve Bloom Walk in aid of the Laois Hospice which takes place on St Stephen's Day. Raise some funds for Laois Hospice and then meet in Clonaslee village, Co Laois at noon for one of two walks.

A strenuous, fully waymarked outing will take you high into the Slieve Blooms or you can choose a shorter family walk to Brittas Lake. Afterwards, you can return to Clonaslee for lashings of food and hospitality in the local community centre.

For sponsorship cards and information, contact Sheila at 057-8648084 or Lucy at 057-8648063.

The best of the west

December 26-29 What better way to spend Christmas than in Westport, Ireland's most atmospheric town, with walks amid the glorious mountains of Mayo? Great for sociability and enjoying the "craic", this long running festival offers one day of hillwalking and one day of low-level walking amid some of the best scenery in the west.

Organised by Gerry Greensmyth, one of Ireland’s foremost walking guides, the event particularly welcomes participants coming alone who are immediately welcomed into the group.

Information from 098-26090/087-2333295; gerry@walkingguideireland.com.

Devil of a climb

December 27 A demon is once reputed to have taken a mouthful from the summit of Tipperary's Devil's Bit Mountain thereby reducing its height considerably.

The Devil’s work ensures you can now reach this unpretentious summit with modest effort while helping the LARCC provide support for cancer victims. Your compensation is a charming view, good company and the added bonus of complimentary hot toddies afterwards.

This popular annual walk leaves from outside the Templemore Arms Hotel, Templemore at 10.30am with a shorter ramble departing at noon.

For information visit, cancersupport.ie or contact Clare at 0504-32333/086-8734665.

What lies beneath

December 27-29 This Christmas leading Irish archaeologist Michael Gibbons has teamed up with the Clifden Station House Hotel to provide a seasonal exploration of the world famous Connemara landscape. His low-level walking tours are renowned for bringing the scenery to life with stories of geology, history and archaeology that provide a deeper appreciation of a majestic landscape.

A €199 package offers two nights’ B&B and one dinner in the welcoming Station House Hotel. Also included is a lecture on the evening of arrival, telling the story of the Connemara landscape, along with two days of fully guided walking.

For more information on the deal call 095-21379, info@connemarawalks.com or visit clifdenstationhouse.com.

Hidden gem

January 30 and February 1 The Glen of Aherlow in Tipperary is truly a hidden gem with hikes to suit all abilities. On its north flank the Slievenamuck hills offer great low and moderate level outings. South of the glen the towering Galtee Mountains provide muscular challenges on Ireland's highest inland range that often come with full-on winter conditions.

The wonderfully charming old hunting lodge at Aherlow House Hotel is the base for the Glen of Aherlow Winter Walking Festival which is very much a community supported event.

Information from 062-56331 or visit aherlow.com.

Scottish Highlands

February 8-15 There is nothing like trekking the hills on a clear day with snow crunching satisfyingly beneath your boots. You are certainly guaranteed snow in spades on Mountaineering Ireland's Winter Meet in the Scottish Highlands, which takes place amid the incomparable scenery of Glencoe.

Participants can undertake a winter mountaineering course or can join in with the walking and climbing on an informal basis. Evening talks and slide shows ensure plenty of after dark entertainment and, of course, wherever Irish mountain lovers assemble there is always plenty of craic.

Information from Jane at 01-6251115 or visit mountaineering.ie.

Mythological Dingle

February 13-15 Here is an opportunity to spend Valentine's weekend exploring a landscape esteemed by many as Ireland's most romantic. In the movie Ryan's Daughter, the true star did not emerge from the stellar cast but was instead the beguiling Corca Dhuibhne landscape beyond Dingle, Co Kerry.

This year the Dingle Walking Festival highlights include an opportunity to ascend deeply mythological Mount Brandon, a walk along the Cosáin na Naomh pilgrim path, or a chance to explore the compelling landscape around the Conor Pass.

Further information from Colm at 087-2222248 or visit dinglewalkingfestival.com.