'A' road to a view

Slieve Croob, what can you say really, one of the best 360 degree panoramic to be had anywhere that is sadly spoilt by the 3 or 4 huge transmitters plunked on top of it! This is an example of making a mountain top too accessible. The car park is set right at the foot of Croob and is easy to find, and leading from there to the summit is a tarmac road. It is mainly an access road for the communications equipment at the summit and so at least does not have much by the way of traffic, but none the less there is no feeling of wilderness to be had here. On the day we were there (as you can see from the pic) the weather was not great and this at least added a sense of elemental nature. The view at the top though is genuinely great in spite of the man made adornments. Even with the weather I could see the Mournes, Sperrins, most of Loch Neagh, most of Strangford and the Ards peninsula, H&W and Scrabo tower. Where else can claim such as great array of views?? Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/388/comment/6368/

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tsunami on Slieve Croob

Definitely one of the best 360deg views anywhere in the country. The broad span of the Mournes can be clearly seen from the picture with many of the high peaks identifiable (L-R: Donard, Commedagh, Binnian, Doan, Bearnagh, Meelbeg, Meelmore, Muck. And what I assume is Eagle Mt and Shanlieve on the far right). The problem with Croobs wonderful positioning though also means it provides one of the best opportunities for telecommunications! Much like Black Mountain in the Cooley's, the effects of having a tarmac road all the way to the top are all too evident in the state of the cairn in the picture, a problem also evident with Clermont Cairn on Black Mountain. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/388/comment/1213/

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Viewpoint central!

Started this walk at Drumkerragh Forest (D (J330 460)) which has ample parking. Walk back onto road and turn right past a white washed cottage, at the next abandoned building go through the gate , past sheep pens onto the hillside.

There was a cold north wind blowing and as height was gained the visibility was excellent to the east over the lowlands to the sea and a sharply defined Isle of Man. The ground was frozen but should be easy in any weather as is heavily grazed by the sheep. Contouring towards the north as climb a fence is picked up which leads to the summit. There is a series of short steep climbs to the summit and there was a dusting of snow on the ground out of the reach of the suns rays.The ground changes here to mature heather. The communications masts soon peak thier heads up and they are reached in a fairly easy 30 minutes.

There are impressive views to the North, as far as Agnews Hill on the Antrim plateau beyond the Belfast Hills and across Lough Neagh to the distinctive shape of Slieve Gallion and the Sperrins. Move past the masts and a short further climb brigs you to the trig point and cairn shelters.It is also where the panorama of the Mournes is fully laid out . It is no exaggeration to say that I could spend all day up here taking in this view and I could perhaps be persuaded that the view from atop the Sperrins is not he best in the north.

Follow the fence down SW through an area of rocks (great spot for lunch with that view) and to the col with Slievenisky which is pretty wet. There is a gradual climb to the top of Slievenisky (446m) with continuing views out to sea. From the top there are 2 ridges either side of a river valley, follow the longer one to the left as drops crossing an old stone wall and rises again. The ridge narrows at its end giving more fantastic views of the Mournes before dropping down, keep left and drop steeply past an abandoned cottage and through a green field to the road. Turn left along the road, turn left again and left again, past shop and red telephone box and back to the carpark at Drumkerragh Forest. A walk of under three hours in total, taking in the length of the mountain ridge and a half hour walk back along quite roads. There were a few people about the summit who seemed to be coming up the road but no one further along the ridge.

Also climbed from busy amenity area on west side initially using the access road and then the quieter fencline to summit in half an hour. Also a good starting point to climb neighbouring Cratlieve. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/388/comment/1433/

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Harry Goodman on Slieve Croob

Yes there is a tarmac road to the top but you can avoid it all together if you approach from the north on the Drinn Road B (J299 478). There are stiles and some direction indicators but generally you follow the lane initially SSE and then over open ground to the top. Well worth the effort for a wonderful panorama of the Mournes from Donard to the hills above Rostrevor. The top can also be approached from the east by parking in Drumkeragh Forest ME (R330 640). You can retrace you steps back to the start. However for a loop walk, involving some road walking, go down W along the fence line to the car park at F (J300 452). From there you can turn right and walk back down hill towards Finnis. At the the Drinn Road, on the right, walk back to the start point at B (J299 478) about 1km along this road. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/388/comment/973/

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mneary34 on Slieve Croob

Climbed Slieve Croob from Drumkerragh Forest. This photo shows the eastern side of the mountain from the road at Drumkerragh Forest. The view of the Mournes is impressive from the summit. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/388/comment/1975/

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