I climbed this mountain last saturday as part of a circuit tour of the Silent Valley. Starting at the head road, we followed the Mourne wall up Slievenaglogh which offered amazing views of the Silent Valley and Ben Crom reservoir. We made our way through a pathless, heathery valley towards Miners Hole River. After crossing the river, the Silent Valley became visible again as we headed along a path toward Ben Crom river. After crossing the latter, we were virtually level with the waters of the Silent Valley. Thereafter, we climbed the steps towards Ben Crom Dam. At the top of the steps, Ben Crom reservoir appeared, as we made our way toward the Lamagan/Binnian colony. We then began the ascent of my favourite part of the walk - the back castles of Binnian. It is quite steep at the start, but it does become considerably flatter at the North Tor. For those considering doing this walk for the first time, be sure to look back through the tors towards the eastern Mournes. It is possible to see Donard sandwiched between the Back Castles. As we approached the South Tor, an amazing panorama occured. Previously, I had been advised that when the sun shines on a particular mountain, a shadow of that mountain may be cast into the nearby valley. I witnessed this phenomena as Lower Cove cast its shadow into the Annalong Valley. The shadow reached as far as the Hare's Castle. Upon reaching the South Tor, the Silent Valley became visible. The South Tor has to be one of the Mournes gems. I would be hard pushed to name another mountain which has such extensive views. Hikers can not only see most of the Mourne mountains, but also, on a clear day, the Isle of Man, Great Sugar Loaf of the Wicklow mountains and the Carlingford Hills may be identified. Thereafter, we started the descent towards Wee Binnian, keeping the wall to our left and the Silent Valley to the right. This was the trickiest part of the walk, but one which offers amazing views towards the Irish Sea. After crossing over a stile, we passed through the keyhole in Wee Binnian. At this point, the Silent Valley becomes hidden, but it is possible to see Doan. After coming through the keyhole, we continued the descent toward Moolieve. Eventually, we came to stile. Before climbing, the whole of the Silent Valley once again become visible with Slievenaglogh in the background. We continued toward a nearby forest which had a lane. The lane took us across the front of the Silent Valley - great views toward Binnian, Slievenaglogh, Doan, Ben Crom, Slieveloughshannagh. The full walk is approxiamately 10 miles, but one which I would strongly recommend as it had so many treasures - views of both reservoirs from Slievenaglogh, Ben Crom reservoir, extensive views from Binnian and through the Back Castles, Lower Cove's shadow towards Hare's Castle, the keyhole of Wee Binnian, the view of Silent Valley from Moolieve - being the most notable. This was arguably the best day walk I've ever had in the Mournes. Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/583/comment/6022/