The Maumturk Mountains run in a long ridge east of the Inagh Valley, parallel to the Twelve Bens across the water. They are longer, slightly lower, and far less visited — which makes them the better choice for anyone who wants a full day on the mountain without meeting other walkers. The western slopes drop directly to the Inagh Valley road; the eastern side runs down to Maam Cross and Lough Corrib.
The classic walk is the Maumturk Challenge, a gruelling ridge traverse of about 24 km that serious hill walkers attempt in a single day. The scenery — quartzite, bog, intermittent cloud, Atlantic views — is essentially the same as the Twelve Bens but with less tourist infrastructure. Several approach routes from the valley floor make shorter excursions possible. Good boots and Irish weather preparation are non-negotiable.