great views for little effort

Benbradagh is the highest point in the Sperrins north of the Glenshane pass and therefore commands spectacular views of the rest of the range. These views can be achieved for very little physical effort as you can drive most of the way up it. I gingerly took the car up the incredibly steep Curragh Road from the village of Dungiven and parked in the car park (B (C728 104)) which is at an altitude of over 400m. From here you follow a stony track NW along mostly flat ground for about 500m with a couple of gates to negotiate. Leave the track just before the ubiquitous mobile phone tower and ascend a grassy track up the remaining few feet to the 465m summit. There is no obvious feature such as a cairn to mark it. As others have said the summit seems innocuous enough until you walk right to the edge and see the precipitous drop to the valley below. The wind coming up from the Roe valley this afternoon made standing upright difficult. However it was still a warm, clear day and the views into Inishowen and across to the higher Sperrins were stunning, Sawel in particular looked incredibly high from here. To the east I could pick out most of the Antrim hills. Carntogher unfortunately blocks the view to the Belfast hills and Mournes. Conditions underfoot were good - firm and dry. Benbradagh is one of a rare breed - an Irish mountain which can be climbed in trainers. I returned to the car by way of ascent. It only took half an hour up and down so make sure you bag this one if in the area. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/565/comment/6289/

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eflanaga on Benbradagh

Reached from Boviel (see for previous leg in 'Benbradagh Ridge walk). Leaving Boviel's unremarkable top one as the now obligatory fence to cross and a long heavy trek across extremely wet/boggy ground towards the road (described by 'thisbliss'). Passed quite a few concrete bases (presumably for pylons) and a lot of disregarded parts and wire, which has to be a hazard for sheep, not to mention unwary walkers who trip over it! Reached the road IC (C72827 10391)after about 1.5K. Never was a piece of tarmac so welcome and we had the pleasure of its company for a further 650m passing through two gates, before breaking back onto open hill and the short ascent on to Benbradagh's summit. Passed a Ministry of Defence concrete marker with the inscription MOD - BS - 17 (not sure about the last digit!) on the way to the summit. The summit itself is quite disappointing until you walk right to its edge and then you see the drop down towards the valley floor. Unfortunately, the weather was still miserable, wet and low cloud, so views across the Roe Valley towards Binevenagh, Lough Foyle & Innishowen to the north and east, and into the Sperrins proper to the west were impossible Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/565/comment/2908/

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thisbliss on Benbradagh

Visited Benbradagh on 12-09-07. A road passes over the lower slopes of it but is blocked off at both ends so is best to arrive from the Dungiven side. Or if you want a really long walk land in from the legananam pot. Driving up the road there were a few paragliders circling overhead, looked like top fun. Parked at the small park where road ends and followed the service road to a mast and then on over surprisingly grassy ground to the summit. The views over to lough foyle and the sperrins were great, and visibility permitting am sure the donegal and antrim mountains would make an appearance too. While at the summit a paragliding dude drifted his way over. The views from where i was standing were impressive can only imagine what its like in a sky hammock! This was my first time on benbradagh, (although i am from the bann valley), and found it very handy for good views so will definitely be back. About 45 mins in all. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/565/comment/2832/

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Scarpy prow.

This summit, skyline behind Boviel, apparently nothing much in itself, benefits from some gentling mist with pastel colour plan. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/565/comment/6185/

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A Pleasant, Easy Walk

I had a little bit of spare time today, and thought by taking the Curragh Road from Dungiven to gain as much height as possible by car, I might be able to squeeze in Benbradagh, Boviel Top and Carn Hill. As it turned out, I ran out of time before I could get to Carn Hill, but managed the other two. First was Benbradagh, starting from the high point on the road, where there was a large parking area. It was a short walk from there to the summit, over ground that was easy to walk on - initially on an access track for a small mast, then on level ground, with short grass, and most of the height had already been gained. Benbradagh had cut a fine figure from below, and provided great views from the top too. Particularly impressive were the views north over Donald's Hill to Binevenagh, northwest across the Roe Valley and Lough Foyle to Inishowen, southwest over Dungiven to the Sperrins, and south east to Boviel Top's steep southern slope. Its a nice guilty pleasure to cheat occasionally! Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/565/comment/17984/

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