Chimney Rock Mountain sits proudly above the Irish Sea in the E Mournes. It’s a flat-top adorned by impressive tors and has three distinctive spurs emanating from its summit area. Amazing views over the Mournes esp. Donard and across the Annalong Valley to Slieve Beg, Cove, Lamagan and S. Binnian; also seaward to the Isle of Man.

Evidence of extensive mining exists along the side of the mountain at places like Carr’s Face, and the route up from the Bloody Bridge follows a mining track for a lot of its length. Five American airmen died when their B26 Marauder crashed here during training in 1944. Wreckage remains on the hill, as well as a memorial plaque and cross at J362 255 A.

NE. Park at J38882 27114 B and follow the Bloody Bridge track for about 4 kms up to the Mourne Wall and turn SE to climb 1.5kms to the summit. 1.5hrs

Alternatively it can be climbed more directly from the Bloody Bridge track by striking out south from the track at J37688 26913 C to tackle the steep northern slopes. Aim first for the summit of Slievenagarragh before heading west for the summit of CRM. Note that on this route there are plenty of rocks and mining-related scree to contend with in places on the northern slopes. 1hr+

S. Park at junction J35780 22320 D and take the track N which starts 80m to the E. At J35284 23513 E swing right up to the SSE spur of Rocky Mt. and on to J35326 26480 F before turning SE to climb 1.5kms to the summit. 2.5hrs

Notable tracks incl. track/4003 and track/4796. Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/178/comment/4938/