Start at Carrick Little car park J345 219 A and follow the adjacent track N to cross a stone stile. Once over continue along the track as it swings NW to pass Annalong Wood and, some distance further along, the rocky hump of Percy Bysshe and the Blue Lough, both on the right side. Continue up and along the track to J321 256 B in the col between Binnian and Lamigan. Turn left and go SW up a rocky edge. This rough track soon becomes a stone path, set down in 2011 to counter the erosion on the heather covered spur leading up towards the N Tor area J319 246 C.

Once there go in among the high rock tors and then seek to clamber up and around the right that is North side to gain the top. While not a difficult climb it could become so in high winds or icy conditions when it would best be avoided. The view from the top down N over the Ben Crom Reservoir is particularly fine, as is the 360 degree panorama of the high Mournes. Climb down carefully and return by way of acent to Carrick Little. An alternative route is to park at the Silent Valley car park J306 211 D (for which there is a charge). Take the shuttle bus (a further charge), or walk, up the side of the Reservoir to the Ben Crom Reservoir J315 255 E. Climb up the steps to the dam head and then take a rough track going NE up the hillside to the Binnian/Lamagan col J321 256 B. From here go up SE and follow the directions described above. Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/156/comment/4916/

Here is a view of the North Tor on approach from Binnians Summit. I reached the summit following the wall from Carrick Little - easily the best route to tackle Binnian on. It's probably too hard to see after reduction for the web, but the little white dots to the left of it's base are actually a group of six men taking a well earned rest during the Mourne "Seven Seven's". I was happier to carry on at my leisure and spend some time exporing the summits - but some day I may be convinced to take part. My opinion at the moment though is that these type of events put a lot of unnecessary strain on the Mountain environment and need to continue to be very tightly run and regulated. If any one here does take part please correct me if things are not as bad as I make them out be. Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/156/comment/1411/

A closer view. You can scramble right to the top of this rock to get some fantastic views -unfortunately as the picture shows cloud cover was scuppering those plans this day. Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/156/comment/1412/

Following the Carrick Little track along the Annalong Valley, you catch this fine view of the NorthTor from the stream that Drains Binnian Lough. Binnian Lough is nestled between the North Tor and the Douglas Crag (the nearest cliffs immediately below the peak in the picture). Also in view to the right are the fine cliffs of the Blue Lough Butress and the Buzzards Roost (in the shadow along the horizon). Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/156/comment/1417/

Starting from Carrick Little, I had first visited Slieve Binnian, before heading for the North Tor, leaving the North Top and East Top for the way back. The Tor is very impressive, maybe even surpassing Binnian itself, and its well worth going for a climb over and around its surface if you can manage it safely. The photo was taken from the base of the Tor, looking north. Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/156/comment/17701/