A commanding viewpoint

My approach to this hill was from Grogan More as the second top to be visited in a five top round on 10 August 2010. Initially I dropped down to a broad boggy coll which was extensively coverd by peat hags. However having noted eflanga's comment that this might be a problem area in wetter weather and having also noted its extent from my view point on Grogan More, with gaiters in place, I strode purposefully on, in and out, up and over, slipping and sliding for what was the only real setback on grand hill circuit. However I was soon on much firmer ground and even some rock on my approach up to Crocknafarragh. My first objective was the rocky top of Pt 503 at D (B87376 16842) for views down to tiny Mullincrick L before a short drop down to a coll and an equally short walk up to the summit cairn at 517m the highest point of my round.This proved to be a beautiful spot to simply sit and take in the beautiful scenery. Best of all it provided me with a platform to go on and visit three other tops not previously commented on in MV's, Crocknafarragh SE Top, only fifteen minutes away and the more distant Crockglass and Addernymore. ( For continuation of this route see my comments on Crocknafarragh SE Top). If the walk is to be terminated at this point return to Pt 503 and then go WSW down the ridge over Pt 409 B (B861 166) and then down to the N end of L Caol E (B845 169) and the road. Turn right and follow back to the car park. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/418/comment/6009/

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eflanaga on Crocknafarragh

Climbed 29-05-06. The limited attention given to Crocknalarragh ( ? Crocknafarragh on OS map) over the course of this website’s lifetime is understandable given its relative isolation from the more alluring and illustrious neighbours in the vicinity. I planned a circuit to take in the two minor Grogan’s so as to avoid a linear route. The starting point for the walk was at I MínBhil (B83874 18575) (St Patrick’s Church). As you enter Croithlí (Crolly) take first left after filling station and before bridge/pub. Pass a quarry (left) on this narrow (waymarked) road before rounding a corner where you will see the church which is painted green. There is ample parking opposite. About 10 metres past end of the car park there is a track rising up on the left past small ruin. Take track, leaving it after about 120 metres & make for obvious gap in ridge. Here a fairly well worn path alongside stream will take you up onto height. Took bearing of 120SW up and over heather covered slope. Going relatively easy following sheep tracks. Emerged on height about 100m north of Loch Nabuckan. Decided to veer off course a little further north so as to approach Grogan More summit along ridge. Cairn at IF (B85612 18463) and summit (OS) another 200m further on at IG (B85708 18248). Most of the route’s climbing is taken care of by this stage. Was going to detour to Grogan Beg but it didn’t appear to be particularly significant so instead took a bearing of 136 SE to Spot Ht 503, initially dropping onto broad col littered with peat hags. Negotiation of these was not too difficult although in wetter weather the detour to Grogan Beg may be advisable. Climb to spot height 503 IH (B87396 16867) is easy. A short drop passing north of Loch Mullincrick and an equally short climb brings you to summit cairn (GPS reading 520m) a few hundred metres to the east. Wonderful views all around, particularly north-east to Errigal over Glentornan & Dunlewey loughs. Return route took me back past Spot Ht 503 then a bearing of 266W to Spot Ht 409 followed by 276WNW, dropping into deep burn and crossing stream after about 800m before joining lane at Loch Caol (reservoir). Pleasant walk along lane to car park. 3.5 hours total. While, aesthetically, Crocknafarragh doesn’t have a lot going for it I enjoyed this walk/route although probably best tackled in reasonably dry weather, particularly if negotiating the peat hag strewn col. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/418/comment/2356/

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Easy ascent for a nice tour with stunning views

Followed Harry Goodman's advice and climbed Crocknafarragh on 13. June as part of a five-summit circuit, also including Grogan More, Crocknafarragh SE Top, Crockglass and Addernymore. Started from north of Lough Keel at Keel L (B8462 1676) and tackled Grogan More first before making my way to Crocknafarragh. As seen on picture, and as described by Harry and eflanaga, the col between the two summits is covered with peat hags. Therefore I decided to head towards Grogan Beg (flat summit left on the picture, 424m point on OSI map), which was a good idea as it enabled me to enjoy firm ground and great views over Errigal and its neighbours between two peat hag sections. After crossing the last peat hags, a regular ascent starts, getting easier as the ground becomes firmer. From Grogan More through Grogan Beg, it is a 45-50 min walk to the 503m point (small rocky mound right of the summit on picture). Add a few more minutes to reach the top at 517m. Fantastic views all around, to Grogan More, the ocean and Tievealehid to the north, Errigal and Dooish to the north-east, and the Slieve Snaght range (see picture) to the south-east (could not see much to the west and south because of the cloudy weather). Prominent as it is, Crocknafarragh happens to be a good landmark to identify the surrounding summits. From the top it is a short, highly recommended stroll to Crocknafarragh SE Top (12-15 min) and Crockglass (add another 15 min). Finally made my way to Addernymore and back to the car via the road south of Lough Keel.

I would not necessarily recommend climbing Addernymore -unless you are a hill-bagger !- but going back along the ridge west of Crocknafarragh through 409m point. Or maybe continuing on the ridge north of Crockglass and down to Dunlewy Lough (if two cars available)... or maybe even starting a four-summit trip from there ?

Definitely an enjoyable walk, with no other difficulty than the distance and... the peat hags ! Rewarding views all along and all around and a great sensation of isolation, as I did not meet anybody until I was back on the road ! Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/418/comment/15026/

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The High Route around Glentornan Lough

Last Thursday (16/08/2018) a few friends and I decided to do a recce of a walk around Glentornan Lough. We started close to the Gaelic pitch on the southwestern shore of Lough Nacung Upper, passed by Grogan Beg on our right and continued on to the summit of Crocknafarragh and continued on circling Glentrnan Lough keeping to the high ground to Crockglass and eventually down the western side of a stream in full spate to the south eastern end of Lough Nacung Upper and along the road/track to the Gaelic pitch. The weather was mixed, a couple of showers , a fair wind and a lot of sunshine. The views were magnificent and the cloudscapes fantastic. The first mile or so at the start and the descent at the end, another mile or so, were very challenging but the remaining five miles were great. In my opinion the views on this walk are among the very best that Donegal has to offer.

Stewart Ramsey Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/418/comment/20025/

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