Potential Access Issues

Went up yesterday via the route described by Harry Goodman, and it needs no further description, as once you're on the track you can't go wrong. However, I should mention that access might not be as clear cut as it once was. I was directed to the sheds mentioned by Harry, and spoke to the man who seemed to own the land and the engineering business based in the sheds. I must emphasise that he was a really nice man and very friendly, but he was cleariy hesitant about letting me have access and asked a lot about what I was going up for and how I knew about the track on his land. The more I chatted to him, the more he relaxed. He did then say he didn't want to turn anybody away, but I got the sense that he was a bit overwhelmed by sheer numbers of people passing through both his business and his farm. He also hinted at issues with unauthorised access by quads, leading to possibly a failed insurance claim by someone. As I say, he was very friendly, and was clearly reluctant to turn anyone away, but also reluctant to continue giving access. Might be wise to look at possilbe alternative routes, and it might lessen the strain on the likeable owner if not every hiker was passing this way. I also got the impression however, that not all the landowners in the area would be accommodating.

Great little hill anyway, with fine views, and spent a whle exploring the rest of the island too. Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/1025/comment/18016/

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An easy way up !

Although Inch Top is the lowest and one of the first encountered of the Inishowen mv listed hills I kept missing it out having read the posts of others. These described the route up, inter alia, as one with "a jungle section.....a few minutes of acute discomfort..... an abundace of chest high ferns and whin bushes......and a route to commend heartily to one's worst enemy......". This said, when it was the last remaining top on my Inishowen mv list, the day of reckoning could be put off no longer. On 5 March 2012, with little enthusiasm, I decided that the time had come to tackle this small hill. However, once there I sought out some local knowledge to see if an alternative and less torturous way to the top could be found. I was advised that there was an access track up to a mast on the summit and that I should not have any problem seeking permission to use it. From a crossroads at Glack (C32354 25146) I followed a minor road SW for a short distance to a small white cottage Glack (C32206 24936) , near some large work sheds. On asking at the house if I could use the access track to go up the hill permission was readily given and I was advised that there would be no problem if other walkers wanted to do the same. This said permission to park and use the track should be sought. After a short walk on tarmac up past the sheds the start of the untarred stoney track was at Glack (C32057 24955) . This led up through some trees to open ground at C (C31540 25439) where it turned sharply left and up to the mast, trig pillar and adjacent cairn. The top D (C31348 25280) is a magnificent view point with a 360 degree panorama. To the E and S is Scalp Mt. and the ancient hill top site of the Grianan of Aileach, Holywell Hill and the distant Sperrins. To the W and N are the Donegal Highland's and NE the Urris Hills, Raghtin More, Bulbin and Slieve Snaght. This is a climb that can be completed comfortably in less than an hour even allowing for a break on the top to sit and enjoy the scenery. Distance up and down is 3k. Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/1025/comment/6710/

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A way up, but no way down?

Parked in a small lay-by, just past the Carnaghan Presbyterian church, at Pres Ch (C327 239) where there is enough room for one car to be parked off the road. Walked back past the church, turning left into a lane at Pres Ch (C328 241) , and then right onto another lane at Pres Ch (C327 241) . This lane way is unmarked on the satmap gps digital mapping. It is however, marked on both osni sheet 7 and osi sheet 2. Follow this lane up hill, turning right at Glack (C322 245) and left at Glack (C323 247) which leads you to a road junction at Glack (C321 248) , turn left and go through a gate. At around Glack (C320 247) , go through an open gate into a large field with sheep, follow the field round the spur to a gate into the next field at roughly E (C315 246) . Go through the gate and walk to the top of the field. From here you need to plot a line of least resistance , through the ferns and gorse, to get to the final summit slopes of Inch Top, persons with height issues will not enjoy the next 15 mins! Some of the wind-bush and ferns are chest height.

At around F (C312 249) you arrive at an old over grown track, turn left along this, you will now be able to pick a route ahead ( F (C311 249) , F (C31171 24999) , F (C311 250) may be of help), and no doubt with some relief, you make it onto the short heather of the summit slope. A short ascent leads to the summit trig point and mast, with great views of the surrounding countryside, and fine place to eat your piece.

The descent, there is a service track descending from Inch Top, however on two of the options we ended in the same field to the rear of a house on the East side of the hill. Anyone who has investigate that side will have noted the number of no trespassing signs, in the lanes off the main road. So, a descent by the way of ascent is the only way to be recommended.

PS those who who have had there legs scratched by gorse / windbush etc, may find Eurax cream stops the itching! Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/1025/comment/5918/

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pdtempan on Inch Top

In this view, Inch Top is seen across Lough Swilly from Rathmullan. From this angle it is not obvious at all that Inch is an island, as it merges with the rest of the Inishowen coastline. Seen from the vantage point of Grianán of Aileach, south of Burt, it is clear that Inch is a natural island but for the causeways connecting it to the mainland near Burnfoot. Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/1025/comment/3654/

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Born and bred in a briar patch...

I followed three5four0's excellent directions, and thus tackled Inch Top WOULD provide a really lovely rural stroll in gorgeous surroundings to an excellent panoramic viewpoint...but for the 'jungle' section.

Alas, there really is no way around this, and believe me I was glad of my relative advantages in terms of height and legspan. A bit of scouting around and back and forwarding should mean you suffer at worst a few minutes of acute discomfort (rather than an eternity of agony and damnation), but this is still a route to commend heartily to one's worst enemy...especially if they tend to wear shorts. Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/1025/comment/6142/

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