Binnion may be small in stature - it weighs in at a paltry 250m but it punches way above its height in terms of the scenery to be enjoyed from the rocky summit area. It is possible to attack the summit from any of the three tracks shown on the OS Map (two of which peter out after a short distance). I took the first track heading north along the side of a house and cottage at I
G (C37585 47987). Keep left and pass through a silver metal gate. You can follow the obvious track to it's conclusion, then make immediately east for about 100m to join the main track to the top, or cross boggy ground and make straight for the obvious gap where you will pick up the main track at this point. There is a fork shortly after you turn around the back of the hill I
H (C37282 49097) with one section making a beeline straight for the summit, while the other runs WSW before turning back to approach the top from the south. I took the latter on the ascent and the former on the descent. The views from the summit, which is marked by a cylindrical cairn with a metal pole (? ariel) protruding from it's centre, are incredible. These can be enhanced by moving to the smaller cairns dotted across the summit in order to see what lurks immediately beneath Binnion's northern cliffs. Raghtin More, Crockmain, The Urris Hills, Slieve Snaght, Slieve Main and the smaller Coolcross Hill above Ballyliffin itself are all visible on the inland side while the vast expanse of the Atlantic, with the headlands at Dunaff, Malin & Doagh Island together with the tiny Glashedy Island catch the eye seaward. There is a Spot Height I
I (C37416 49191) (which is passed at the gap) blocking the view directly into Pollan Bay but it only takes a minute on the descent to reach the cairn at it's top for unimpeeded views down and across the bay towards Doagh Castle and beyond to the Malin end of the peninsula. There is a wall (breached in many places) along the precipitous northern flank of Binnion (presumably to deter sheep from tumbling into the sea) and a significant number of what appear to be 'wind-breaks', constructed of rocks which are plentiful hereabouts, dotted around the hill. Having done a 12k circuit of Doagh Island a few hours earlier with my wife, this walk was meant only as a filler. I felt the need to climb a hill even if it was only a small one. But what a reward for limited effort - thoroughly enjoyable with a magnificent rainbow appearing to link Ballylifin and Doagh Castle, thrown in for good measure. I can't promise the rainbow but if you are in Ballyliffin on a reasonably good day weatherwise, and have an hour or two to spare then saunter up to the top of Binnion - you won't be disappointed!
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