(Ir. Sliabh an Ime [PNNI], 'mountain of the butter')
Height: 500 metres
OS 1/50k Mapsheet: 29 for top
Grid Ref: J27480 27975
Latitude: 54.184927 Longitude: -6.048062
ITM: 727401 827980
Prominence: 95m Isolation: 1.3km
The name 'Butter Mountain' is not a reference to EU surpluses. It probably comes from the practice of burying butter to preserve it. It was used by people who tended cattle in the mountains during the summer. [Mícheál Ó Mainnín] The name Butter Mountai
Butter Mountain is the 464th highest summit in Ireland. Our data has reached 100% of the goal for this summit. (Details)
Picture: Butter Mountain from the east. Expand pics.
A short but rewarding climb.
Short Summary created by simon3, Harry Goodman 5 May 2012
For a short and simple walk up this hill park at Spelga Dam J268 273(Point A). Walk a short way (E) along the road to a track on the left J269 273(Point B). Follow this part of the way uphill before striking out NE on a grassy track to gain the high point J2747827981(Point C). For modest effort there are rewarding views from the top. East and north to the line of the high Mournes from Slieve Muck to Slieve Meelmore. To the SE over Spelga Dam Pidgeon Rock, Slievemoughanmore and Eagle Mt stand out and nearer at hand Slievenamiskin, Cock and Hen Mts. For an alternatively route park at the Blue Quarry (Ott Track) car park on the Slievenaman Road J280 279(Point D). Take the stone steps up from the back of the car park and once over the wooden stile go up W to the top. Once there, for a looped walk, descend by way of the route up from Spelga Dam. Once down at the road go left up to the road junction where another left turn will soon lead back to the start.
by craiglynn666 15 Jun 2004
I recently did my bronze duke of ed. we started from meelmore lodge, a little lodge with a beautiful morning view of lukes mountain and hare's gap. we hiked to the northern foot of butter mountain and trekked over it to spelga dam. we continued east along the road and went round ott mountain and over the saddle between meelbeg and loughshannagh. beautiful views of doan and part of ben crom reservoir there. we could also see donard. magnificent. we went round meelbeg and went over another saddle between meelbed and bernagh down to fofanny. we hiked along the ulster way and up the trassy track to the camp half way up.
day two and we went down trassy and into tollymore. through tollymore via the southern paths and up the drinns (i cringe at the word!) and out over the plain between tollymore and donard park. through donard park via greenhill YMCA centre and past donard bridge. continuing on through and down out to maggie's leap. an amazing 2 days. the hardest part being the drinns believe it or not. a piece of advice - don't do the drinns in segments, i.e. taking a break every few minutes, like our group did. do it in one go and get it over and done with. then have a good break at the top, with a spectacular view over to, i think, dromore. nicest view - through the saddle between meelbed and loughshannagh
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by CaptainVertigo 5 Mar 2006
A healthy adult ought to make it to the summit of Butter Mountain from the Spelga Dam Car Park in about ten minutes! There's a big reward in terms of views for practically no effort. I brought John(7) and Peter(5) there today, and, really, its a super safe training ground for little people. They have mini walking poles which they love because it gives them that authentic "mountaineer" feeling. I can't think how you'd injure yourself on that grassy slope...short of being dropped from a helicopter head first. The photo shows the wee folk ascending Butter mountain. John's the one with the GPS !!! (Comment Rating 3.67)
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by Alex92 13 Apr 2007
I did Butter yesterday while waiting to be picked up in the Ott/Blue Quarry car park, after I camped on the shores of Loughshannagh. It's a nice enough wee dander, and as said in previous contributions, it does provide some great views of Spelga dam, Fofanny dam, Bearnagh, Ott, Carn and the other surrounding mountains, without requiring much effort. Best approach is from Ott/Blue Quarry carpark. Ascend up the granite path to the style, and follow the grassy trail to the summit. Gaiters may be needed, as I found out when the whole of my lower right leg sunk into a bog... not nice! Butter is a good introduction if you're looking to use it in a lengthly walk, and it's a good "training ground" for smaller kids as suggested by CaptainVertigo. One word of warning though: Whatever you do, DO NOT ever leave your car over night in the Ott car park. Recently a car was burnt out after being left over night, and I have had my own experiences where a relative of mine had their car broken into. Alternatively arrange for someone to drop you off and pick you up if you are camping, or use the Mourne Rambler bus service. But parking for daytrips should be fine, just take caution.
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Picture: The Goat bidding me farewell or else he just wants food off me! Expand pics.
by wicklore 13 Oct 2008
Butter Mountain should have been a quick up and down from the Blue Quarry/Ott car park. However I was distracted by a pure white goat that clearly wanted to follow me. It was only short of clambering over the stile with me which is on the path leading from the car park. When we said our goodbyes at the stile I hauled myself up to the summit trying to get into the “Healthy Adult will do it in 10 minutes” bracket as posted by CaptainVertigo. My previous long hike in the Mournes had made me unhealthy and it took about 18 minutes from the carpark! Nice views of the Spelga Dam and across to cloud topped Meelbeg and Slieve Loughshannagh. Billy Goat awaited below and I knew I had a healthy snack to share with him so I bade farewell to Butter Mountain and the Mournes until another day. (Comment Rating 3.50)
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Picture: View W from Butter mt, Cock and Hen mts in foreground. Expand pics.
Following the Mourne Way over Butter Mt.
by Harry Goodman 8 Nov 2011
As described in other members comments there is a short and easy way to climb Butter Mt. There is however a more rewarding alternative route which follows part of the Mourne Way. Starting at the Blue Quarry (Ott Track) car park J280 279(Point D) the route is fully described in the WalkNI web site and in an illustrated booklet which can be requested on line. There are fine views NE to the high Mournes and, as the walk follows the wide U shaped ridge on the top of Butter Mt and turns SW Cock and Hen Mts in the Western Mournes and Slieve Gullion in Armagh come into view. On reaching the Spelga Pass road J260280(Point E) turn left and at the T junction left again to walk back to the start. If you have two cars leave one at the Spelga Dam Car Park and avoid the road walk back.
Onzya day ago. Route takes in Aghla More, Aghla Beg South and Aghla Beg, be walk, Length:9.1km, Climb: 669m, Area: Aghla More, Donegal NW (Ireland) Aghla More, Aghl
BleckCra3 days ago. "It's like sex," she said.
We looked at her.
"Hillwalking. It's like sex."
Her big scrubbed North Antrim face - and I imagined she didn't know much about either - not her fault mind, given the...
Collaborative entry Last edit by: march-fixer5 days ago. Though not a summit to write home about, it still provides a wonderful grandstand view south out over Blessington Lakes and west to the Hill of Allen. Until recently (2013) pine trees obscure thes...
simon34 days ago. We received word that there were inconsistencies between the count of summits that a user had and position in the Rising Summiteers table. I have taken some remedial action and this issue should ...
jimgrahama week ago. Just to note that I found it possible to combine Slieve Carr with Nephin Beg. Working from the southern end of the Bangor trail (point F) it took me four hours to gain the top of Carr; about two ...
hivisibility5 days ago. Just to add to Roberto's comments re above I was on the A walk on Saturday and thoroughly enjoyed myself. A well led walk, lovely pace and super hospitality afterwards. Most impressive.
simon35 days ago. North of the summit and over a road is the 2km long arc of Sallagh Braes, a spectacular semicircle of a valley where the higher ground to the west (left) falls away towards the sea.
This pictur...