Blackrock Hillwalking Club is an active club with over 130 members. We are always open for new members. We have a choice of graded walks each Sunday and a number of trips throughout the year.  

Club Membership runs from November to October each year. Membership is €55 for the year – this includes the obligatory membership of Mountaineering Ireland. The MI fee gives a basic insurance cover, a quarterly magazine and a membership card which gives a 10% discount in outdoor shops like Mahers Outdoors, Union Chandlery etc. 

You should always contact the walk leader the day before a walk so (s)he knows who to expect. You should mention if its your first walk so that the walk leader has an opportunity to assess your fitness.

If you have any questions, contact us at info@blackrockhillwalkingclub.com

Click here to download a membership form

 Club Rules

·         It has been club policy from the beginning that for anyone who wishes to join the club they may go out on one C level walk and depending on the level of fitness a B level walk first to see if it is what they are looking for before paying club membership.

·         Apart from “guest” walks outlined above, all walkers must be members. Our walks are for club members only.

·         Under 18s can only join with an adult member who must accompany the underage member on all walks.

·         Always contact the leader of the day by calling or sending a text to let them know you will be joining the group out on the walk.

·         It is your own responsibility to have any medication you might need on the day. If you need an inhaler, etc. make sure it is to hand. Make sure the walk leader is aware of any emergency medication you might need and how and when to use it.

·         Inform the leader if you suffer from a medical condition like epilepsy or diabetes.
Carry some form of personal identification and the name of someone who can be contacted in the event of an accident, e.g. parents, friends.

·         All members must fill out an application form and sign the disclaimer. All members must fill out the medical information section of the membership form and also give details of next of kin to be contacted in case of an emergency.

·         The group should stay together and follow the route selected by the walk leader. Make sure you stay with the group at all times. Inform the leader if you're feeling tired and "can't keep up". If this is happening, respect the fact that the walk leader is waiting for someone at the back, and don’t carry on out of sight – even if you know the way. If you need to step aside for a “toilet break”, let someone know. If visibility is bad, it is especially important to keep the group together.

·         TELL the Leader if you have a problem as it could become a lot bigger and more serious later on.

·         Respect the decisions of the walk leader. Depending on the day or the group, the walk leader may need to change plans, or even abandon a walk. This is done with everyones’ safety in mind, so please respect the decision.

·         You must have at least two B level walks done before attempting an A level trek. Please be honest about your current level of fitness before attempting a challenging walk. Mountains and rough ground can be tough going.

·         If the walk description says its going to be a tough long day, be honest about your current level of fitness. Don't exceed your limitations. Bear the conditions in mind. A pleasant walk in summer can become a tough slog in wet mucky conditions. Rain and cold can cause exposure. Overheating can also cause serious problems sometimes a lot more quickly than the cold.

·         “A” level walks are for the fit hikers of the club. If you choose to go on this trek then you should be a competent and confident walker on all terrain and in all conditions. A walks are usually long days moving at a consistently quick pace. There isn’t room to slow these down and often there isn’t an option to cut them short. They will typically include tough terrain, scrambles and ridges. You will be expected to be competent in navigation and basically fairly independent in the hills. Unlike the other grades of walks, where the leader will make sure everyone stays together and no-one falls behind, A walkers are considered to be more a group of equals, with the walk leader leading the route he/she has selected for the day.

·         Don't leave litter. The club observes the “Leave no Trace” code. Even bio-degradeable matter will decompose much more slowly at altitude and in the cold – so please bring everything back home with you. And yes, cigarette butts are litter.

·         Don't damage property or unnecessarily go through private land. Be considerate when parking. Always leave gates as you found them.

·         Don't assume because it's sunny in Cork that it will be sunny in Kerry. In general, temperatures drop 2-3 degrees for each 1,000ft. climbed.