Harry Goodman on Clogherny Top

We climbed this hill on 19 March 2010 as part of a looped walk over the MV listed tops in the Central Sperrins. For the start of the walk see my comments on Mullaghbolig. Having arrived at the top of Mullaghbolig we decided to walk some 3k NE then E, over a couple of minor bumps, to the undistinguished summit of Clogherney Top. While we had fine views across the Glenelly Valley to the long W to E ridge of the High Sperrins and the walk was pleasant and not difficult the question you must ask yourself is do you really want to scale this uninteresting top, unless of course like me you wish to climb all of the MV listed tops in the Sperrins. This said, if the walk is included in a round of the other immediae hills (as we did) then you may find it a satisfying walk overall. Once there, rather than go back W along the ridge to the start we opted to head down NW across the hillside and then across a deep gulley and stream to pick up a rough stone and gravel track (not marked on the OS maps) about 1k from the top. This was at C (H58241 91350). From here it was a short walk down to the road (A (H58210 91657)). To complete our loop we turned left and, keeping left at any road junctions, had a 4.5k walk back to our starting point at D (H55173 89565). The high elevation of the road above the Glenelly valley made for a very scenic walk back. For anyone who simply wants to climb Clogherny Top, and I hasten to add I am not recommending it as a quality walk, the track up from the road where we exited (A (H58210 91657)) on a sharp corner beside a new looking stone bridge would make for a simple bag of this top. The full loop walk including Mullaghbolig was just over 10k . For anyone wishing to follow the full figure of eight looped walk, starting with Craignamaddy on the west side of Barnes Gap, the walking distance is approximately 18k (see also my comments on Craignamaddy) Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/790/comment/4538/

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eflanaga on Clogherny Top

Climbed as part of a Central Sperrins ridge walk which started at Barnes Gap carpark I BarnsGp (H55121 90470), taking in Mullaghbolig and Tornoge before Clogherny Top itself. Clogherny's summit is like many in the Sperrins, heather covered, flat and featureless. The actual top is difficult to discern but appears to be a few metres from the fence which runs from Mullaghbolig to the eastern end of Corratary Hill near the end of the walk a distance of some 11K. Actual walk length from Barnes to Tourist Information IE (H64272 93712) north-east of Corratary Hill was 12K Underfoot conditions on section from Mullaghbolig to Cloghrny Top and beyond to Quiggy Hill were very good with sheep tracks close to fence providing easy walking conditions. The Central Sperrins don't offer a great deal of variety in themselves with each hill apparently glacially carved out as a rough image of its predecessor however, they do provide excellent views north across to where the High Sperrins with the 'Mullaghs', Dart & Sawel form a picturesque background, while to the right the lower lying and oft forested hills and ridges of the Sperrins roll gently southwards. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/790/comment/2923/

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gerrym on Clogherny Top

If you have a look at the comment for Mullaghbolig you will find the information to get a good part of the way to this top. The crest of this line of hills roll like an elderly couple out for a Sunday drive so nothing too stressful. The ever present fence means the compass and map can stay safely tucked away. It may seem from this that the walk is not worth doing but nothing could be further from the truth. A light skiff of rain passed and the sky took on a sharper focus to the NW giving me a view of Errigal that was so sharp i literally held my hand out to touch it, the flat top of Muckish was clear as a Bessy Bell and the Aglhas in between. I still had all the Mournes and the Cooley mtns away to the SE. The variable light was adding to the different shades of vegeatation from valley to hilltop and overwhelming my optics with colour. It just felt great to be out on the hills with so much to see!
The top is a short and gentle climb with views down over the hamlet of Cranagh in the Glenelly valley. I was just able to still see Errigal with most of the Bluestacks in view including the deep gap of Struell. I just turned around a couple of times and there was something to see with every degree of movement.
There is a walk as long again to the high road crossing the hills through Glenlark forest. I was asking myself the question but i think the views had me by the short and curlies and i tramped on. I met a farmer on a quad and passed a few moments talking about the weather (what else!) and sheep (what else!) - he was gathering the sheep up for lambing. It took me 3 hours to reach the road following the fence all the way on pretty fair ground. If you like the sound of this one have a look at Spaltindoagh to square the circle so to speak. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/790/comment/3006/

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Glenelly Valley Views

Climbed in sunny weather on Sunday, starting at F (H57639 91375) near a road side phone mast where there was room to park without blocking the gate. I went just east of due south up to the top of Tornoge Hill first, then walked alongside the fence over to Clogherny Top. Great views the whole way along the Glenelly Valley on a short walk. Easy apart from some thick grass and heather in places, and some awkward fences. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/790/comment/18471/

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