Goles Circuit

http://youtu.be/k9qICH8gweQ for a visual record of the route from Banagher Forest

The great thing about the Sperrins is their accessibility and having initially used the walk guides I find that I can now spread out the OS map and plan a variety of routes with relative ease. There is a natural horseshoe around the Goles River valley which takes in the tops of Mullaghsallgh, Oughtmore, Mullaghaneany and Meenard and I thought I would give it a go.

Tackled this one on Sunday 13th February which was quite a challenging day with gale force winds and low temps. Started at Goles Forest ( Crocknakin (H683 942)), turned right and walked along road for 5 minutes to reach a forest track on the left.

This climbs steeply uphill through clear fell, with great views across Goles Forest to the top of Carnanelly, aiming for the remaining high pine trees above. The track doglegs and then levels, with a clear swathe up through the trees on a carpet of green to reach open hillside. It is a short climb NE to reach Mullaghsallagh (485m). From here you get the chance to relish the remainder of the walk which is clearly visible.

Drop down N following the fence, crossing a very wet area that will have you hopping and turning for drier ground. When the fence turns off right towards Crockbrack continue straight, negotiating an extensive area of peat hags which were partly frozen. There is a short climb up to Oughtmore (569m) to pick up the fenceline running along it's lengthy top. The fence drops down to the col with Mullaghaneany where I tried to get some shelter for lunch - the fact that my hands took about 15 minutes to warm up after putting my gloves back on tells you I wasn't too successful.

The climb up Mullaghaneany is around 500ft and about 20 minutes. As with most of the Sperrins there is only a meeting of fences to distinguish the summit. Despite the northerly wind visibility wasn't great - I couldn't even see over to Donegal! Short drop down W and a long haul up and over Meenard, following the fence all the way - if want to reach top proper will have to detour off from fence to find the small cairn.

At W end of Meenard, Sawel and Dart were bathing in cold sunlight as I turned to follow the fence S along the shoulder of Meenard on the opposite side of Goles valley ( pic was taken here looking to Mullagheaneany on left and Oughtmore on right). The fence branches off regularly dowwn into the valley below, can take any of these to reach Goles river - there is a bridge just after the farm buildings.

Follow Goles road on its beautiful journey, passing abandoned farm buildings and with the river for company. Reach the B47 running the length of Glenelly valley, turn left and it is a short walk back to Goles forest and the car. A walk of just over 9 miles which took 5 hours. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/234/comment/1487/

Read Less

eflanaga on Mullaghaneany

This walk commenced at the entrance to Altbritain Forest IA (C70607 00374) with the purpose of exploring a few of the Sperrin’s less visited 400+ metre hills. First up though was Mullaghaneany via Altbrittain forest track on a bright but frosty Sunday morning. The track, which is currently undergoing widening, makes for a reasonable easy start to the walk. Reaching the T-Junction after about 1.8K we turned left following the track the short distance to its end before working our way up Mullaghaneany’s fairly steep eastern flank onto its summit. The top, as with many in the Sperrins is fairly non-descript but the views, especially on the day in question, were quite spectacular in the early morning winter sunshine.. The stillness of the morning was evident from the reflection of the trees on the surface of Lough Fea some distance to the south-east. Despite all the recent wet weather the ground was holding up well, a fact I also noted on a sortie over Dart, Sawel and the High Sperrins a few weeks ago. From the summit our next target Meenard was clearly in view Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/234/comment/2607/

Read Less

gerrym on Mullaghaneany

(see Crockbrack and Meenard for first parts of this circuit). From summit of Meenard follow the ever present fenceline and drop down 300ft before the short climb to the summit of Mullaghaneany through the peat hags. The summit is marked by the joining of fencelines and the views as outlined on Meenard were perfect with clear air from the north. Taking in Oughtmore would have been a natural finish to the circuit but as was nearly dark i decided to follow fenceline northeast to the B40 running through Banagher Forest. With snow on the ground and a clear night sky there were even shadows on the ground, though with no torch I had to take it very easy and did find the going very difficult. This area is covered by three different OS maps so is a bit of a hassle. On reaching the road turn right (east) and follow as it drops down out of the hills, the road was covered in frozen snow and ice and again was difficult underfoot. With the clear night sky and isolation of walking along the road for 3 miles I had a fantastic experience with the parallel electricity pylons buzzing away to the side. At grid B (H738 984) turn left along the lane and left again to reach the carpark. ( 9 hours and 14 miles in all but could do quicker in better conditions and take in another 569m mountain). I have used the B40 through Banagher as a useful starting point for a number of climbs around Mullagheaney, Oughtmore and Meenard - there are several forest tracks which can be used as starting points, with parking and easy access onto the hills from a ready height. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/234/comment/877/

Read Less

Colin Murphy on Mullaghaneany

It seems the unrelenting rain of the summer has taken its toll on the Sperrins, which never seem to have had a chance to drain themselves. We did Mullaghaneany as part of a Meenard to Crockbrack loop and unfortunately it was a heavy slog through a sodden landscape of mud, long heather and even longer rushes. There was a nice feeling of wilderness here but be warned - bring your leggings and gaiters and maybe even your waders... The top of Mullaghaneany is marked only by adjoining fences, a weather-worn boundary stone and the carcase of a dead sheep lying in a pool of water! The nearest parking point we could identify is a spot to the south west of Meenard at Sperrin Road, Glashagh Bridge (H639 975). Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/234/comment/3395/

Read Less

Derry259 on Mullaghaneany

Climbed Mullaghaneany on Sunday with Berghaus Phil,followed forestry track which begins 3 miles from Moneyneaney on the b40 road to Feeny.Follow the track for approximately 1and 1/2 miles ignoring one left fork after a mile.The track swings right and a fork appears,take the left fork for about 100meters where a large firebreak opens up on your right and slopes of Mullaghaneaney appear,start ascent climbing fence at forest line.As you move upwards pick up fence to right which leads to summit. On a clear day Mullaghaneaney offers stunning 360 degree views with Donard,Slemish ,Sawel and Errigal visible amongst many other summits.The views on Sunday whilst not as extensive were compensated for by the large snow drifts and beautiful cloud formations.A lovely walk which can be completed in less than 2 hours up and down or used as part of different circular walks as described by previous members....... Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/234/comment/4462/

Read Less