Towering surprise

Climbed today 27/5/2014. Took right turn at A (H18717 99996), on Stranorlar Convoy road. Followed this road to LabDoo (H18194 98123). This road is rough in places but driveable, parked at forest entrance on the right room for many cars here, followed path into woods for approx 1km and just beyond the high point there is a small stone pillar which marks the start of a small muddy path uphill to the right through the trees, just before reaching the top a small tower surprisingly comes into view. this tower was open and I was able to climb to the top on a well made spiral stone staircase. The views towards the Bluestacks and Barnsmore gap were fantastic. Total time taken from car to car was approx 20mins and a distance of just over 2kms. Spoke to a local man from Convoy who told me that this hill is known locally as Steeple Hill, and that the tower is an old watch Tower. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/1263/comment/16075/

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Up The Steeple!

The Steeple is my closest summit on MV (I can see it from my front door!) and an old friend. I have a geocache placed close to the tower since 2006 and I once camped in the nearby beech grove when I was 17 (slightly before 2006!). I've ridden the forest trails on my MTB in daylight and darkness and I've walked here with my wife, the kids, the dog and sometimes on my own when I wanted some peace.

I usually approach on foot from the closest forest entrance at Point B but on this visit I started at the signposted parking area on the main road between Letterkenny and Stranorlar (B (H16335 98245)). I had looked at the OS map and thought I had identified a possible loop walk using tracks and minor roads. I was unsure about access but knew I could still do a linear walk from this approach point. In the end up I was right about the track crossing private land and despite trying to follow vague trails through the trees I ended up back on the main forest track.

Views from the tower on the summit were good despite the lowish cloud. There has been a fair bit of felling since my last visit which has expanded the view. Muckish and Errigal were just about visible today.

More information about the tower and a video of my visit can be found on my blog and YouTube Channel:

https://niallharran.com/2022/01/05/walk-the-steeple-meenavally/
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. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/1263/comment/23381/

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A pleasant walk to theTower

Lovely pleasant walk Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/1263/comment/18845/

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Hill With A Tower

Took the same route up as eamonoc, which is now signed for the "Steeple Tower" from the R236. It was a short, pleasant walk through the woods to the top and the tower. It was possible to climb up to the top of the tower which allowed for views over the surrounding treetops, particularly towards the Bluestacks. I couldn't find any information online about the tower, except one reference to it as a folly. I went up as its on my local 100 list - otherwise, worth a visit if you're passing as it doesn't take much time.
Just a quick update - I got a comment on a blog piece I wrote where the tower was identified for me as an old observatory. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/1263/comment/17920/

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