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| Maximum height for area: 806 metres |
Summits in area: 38 |
| OS Map(s): 22, 23, 24, 30, 31 for all tops |
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Walk Guide 56 for
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Bangor Trail (ish)
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Maintainer: gerrym
 (Guide rating: 4.39) |
Overview
Walk length: 29.0km Ascent: 1604m Duration (without stops): 8:00 h:mm
This walk strays into a remote area amongst what are already a remote range of mountains, the Nephin Begs. The walk makes use of the Bangor Trail to the east and climbs over the top of Nephin Beg and Slieve Carr before returning by the Western Way to the western side of the mountains. Along the way i encountered a surprising variety of wildlife, a number of beautiful loughs, some great river walking and unfortunately mist shrouded tops, with only glimpses of wonderful views over the surrounding landscape. I took two days to enjoy the delights of the area but it could be done in a full day.
Points visited: Start = F968 056 - metal bridge = F961 057 - crest on trail = F945 069 - trail junction = F937 073 - Nephin Beg S Top - Nephin Beg - Scardaun Lough = F931 115 - L Kilnabinnia = F926 124 - unnamed top beside Corslieve = F920 126 - Tawnyanruddia = F906 122 - popint 572 m = F917 128 - Slieve Carr - corrie lough at 398 m = F922 130 - L Kilnabinnia = F926 124 - forest track = F936 124 - Western way = F947 125 - bridge = F957 108 - bridge = F968 064 - Finish = F968 056 (Guide last changed: 2007-08-28)
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Approaches
From the S turn off the N59 after Newport and follow the minor road along the length of Furnace and Feeagh Loughs, entering Letterkeen Wood - there are plenty of opportunities to park here and i chose the starting point beside the bothy. There is also access from the N, off the R312 at 043117 (Point A), travelling into the forest past Buaveela Lough and the lonely youth hostel.
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To Bangor (ish)
The walk started from Brogan Carrol bothy, which seems to have been frequented more by sheep and birds than by walkers in recent times. There are very informative information boards here on the Bangor Trail and Western Way, detailing history and wildlife. From here the Altaconey River is crossed by the footbridge in the picture, hopefully giving a flavour of what a wonderful place this is. This is following the Bangor Trail (and Letterkeen Loop Walk), alongside the river, through a wide gulley at first, crossing another lesser footbridge and then onto more open ground, with the contrast of heavy forest to the R and open bog and hill to the L. The going is relatively easy, on gently rising ground, which was being criss crossed by a number of dragon flies. Wet areas are negotiated by appropriately placed rocks.
The only intrusion was the whine of forestry machinery as a large area of trees was being cleared. After 45 mins a rise is reached before dropping to cross a river and then climbing to the reaches of the NE spur of Glennamong. This brings a full view of Nephin Beg S Top and the mountain itself, rising behing into cloud.
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Nephin Beg
At the junction of the path heading E to join the Western way (937073 (Point B)), leave the relative comfort of the track , to climb 230 m onto the S Top of Nephin Beg. There are great views back along the Bangor Trail and to the surrounding hills, notably Glennamong across the valley, with the accompanying sound of water dropping down steeply into the Bawnduff River. The views stretch out to sea covering Corraun and Achill, the rest of the Nephin Begs and to Croagh Patrick. It was much windier here and low cloud was brushing the higher tops, impressively lifting over the steep N sides of Glennamong. A short drop brings a boggy col and then a steady climb to the top of Nephin Beg. A figure of sorts appeared ahead through the mist, but turned out to be the the tall summit cairn dead ahead. It felt more like the middle of winter with the cold and mist, and of course there were no views to be had.
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A night in the hills
There followed a long and at times steep drop down to the N from the summit, only really getting my bearings when dropping below the cloud, though the steep side of the corrie provided reassurance that the compass tells the truth. I was met by views of patchy forestry and Scardun Lough in the col below and the corrie loughs higher up towards Slive Carr. Light was beginning to go at this stage and i made my way to Scardaun lough to set up camp for the night. I managed to find a dryish spot and had some warm food and tea - courtesy of the camp stove set up on the shore of the lough. Rain came on as i snuggled up to sleep and was intermittment through the night, come morning the wind and rain meant i put off rising until 10.00 ( lazy i know). A breakfast of warm porridge and tea helped motivate me onwards.
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Slieve Carr
I followed the stream up to Lough Kilnabinnia, nestled below Corslieve - the heavy leaden skies pressing down upon anything daring to rise up against it. I stowed my full back here and skirted the lough to follow the steep stream which feeds it, an impressive waterfall greets the eyes before the gound levels into a gulley. I climbed up further, steeply from the gulley, to reach the high point to the right (922126 (Point C)). Cloud was rolling in here and a strong wind was whipping up the steep sides, stinging my eyes as i tried to glimpse the corrie loughs below. I took a bearing on the col with Tawnyanruddia and crossed the peatscape before dropping down to a broad col, passing the impressively remote Glennadeaghan river valley. There are a pile of boulders on the top looking out over the vast areas of bog to the sea, with loads of hills rising into the cloud all about. Mist was spiralling down and disappearing, like the offerings from some strange fire above. I climbed back uphill and went N for some 2km, rising steadily - this seemed never ending with no real reference points in the mist - the ground is mainly stone, with some scree patches. The cairn at the top befits this mountain, being massive with a trig pillar ontop. I could only imagine what the views must be like on a clear day and envy those who have experienced this.
I dropped down along the precipitous drops to the E, not being able to see Lough Adanacleveen far below. I followed the SE running spur to drop down steeply to the corrie lough at 389m, where a fox eyed me quickly before vanishing, and then dropped further to Lough Kilnabinnia, where i had stowed my pack.
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Western Way
An easterly walk will bring the edges of the forest and a track, accessed easily where the trees change colour and appearance (u need to see it). Follow the track as it crosses the river and parallels it as it drops, eventually reaching the Western way and a sign to the R for Nephin Beg. There follows a walk of 1.5 hours back to the bothy, through an area of clearfelling impossibly high up on ther hills, with 40 year old trees sitting stripped at the side of the track.
The track follows and crosses the river near the end of the walk and this is a great part of the walk, rounding a bend i was startled by the sight of a wild goat some 15 feet up a tree at the side of ther track nibbling on the leaves.
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Finish
I spent the evening and night camping over the bridge at the Altnaconey river from the bothy. There was a plentiful supply of wood for a camp fire. There was also a plentiful supply of midges and not wanting to keep my head in the smoke of the fire i had to swelter in my raincoat with the hood up to cook some food and brew tea. The sound of the river was soothing that night and i slept well. As i was packing the next morning a strange sound and movement in the reeds caught my attention and i was amazed to see two mink chasing each other not 20 feet from where i was standing.
These mountains are really special and have kept pulling me back as they offer so much. I am almost loathe to write about them as it may mean that other people may get to know what i do but on balance i feel that would be a good thing.
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| Point A: G043 117 |
Point B: F937 073 |
Point C: F922 126 |
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