eflanaga on Leahanmore

Climbed as part of circuit starting at Glendowan Beg and including Crockscallabagh, Moylenav, Meenabog Hill & Farscallop. Dropped steeply off Farscallop's eastern aspect into Glentack Burn's narrow valley before steady ascent up grassy slopes before final climb over rockier terrain to reach summit area in fading sunlight. As ever views are extensive and breathtaking. Descended via Meenaneagh Burn crossing Bullaba River at shallow point near Glendowan Bridge to reach car. Total circuit took around 6.5 hours - thoroughly enjoyable demonstrating that even the smaller hills can provide a worthwhile day's walking. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/645/comment/3073/

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Photo from the west.

A photo of the summit taken from Farscallop. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/645/comment/14852/

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A worthwhile climb

Climbed An Liathin Mor on 3 May 2010 as the third and final day of walking in the Derryveagh/Glendowan Mountains. We took the shuttle bus from the Glenveigh National Park Visitor Centre to the Castle and then walked SW out the lakeside track along Lough Beagh to A (C00300 18800) where we turned steeply up left on a good track leading into Glenlack. The track soon began to level out and even undulated a little up and down. Eventually the track disappeared as we continued on up towards the head of the Glen to B (C00272 17123). Because of the dry weather in recent weeks the going was fairly good but I understand it can be very marshy indeed after a period of rain. From here we headed SE up around the spur of Kinnaveagh to a flat area C (C00771 16775) below the W slope of An Liathan More. From here it was a steady climb up to the summit cairn D (C01783 16630). The views from the top were far reaching SSW to the Bluestacks N to Inishowen and E to the Sperrins. There was also a fine view SW over the Glendowan Mountains and Slieve Snaght (see photo). The top of this hill ia an excellent vantage point to sit and savour the beauties of NW Donegal. On this occasion we returned by our outward route. However I would also commend a circular route which takes in Kinnavagh and Altachoastia the small ridge of hills along the E side of Lough Beagh. To follow this route go back down from the summit to the coll C (C00771 16775) and then head N for Pt 343 E (C00800 17300) on the southern spur of Kinnaveagh before climbing NNE along the ridge to the top F (C01425 18500). There are fine views from this high point on the ridge down NE over Lough Nambraddan and Lough Inshagh. Continue N over Pt 268 G (C01500 19300) and then down NE to a coll before the short climb up to Altachoastia H (C02400 20225). From here a walk down the ridge NE for 1.4k leads to the Gartan Track I (C03000 21500). Turn left and after some 200m meet the main access road from the Visitor Centre, turn left and follow along for some 700m to the Castle approx and the Shuttle Bus. A rewarding circuit out to An Liathin Mor.

slieve Snaght (see photo) Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/645/comment/4749/

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A wild rough beastie!

If you just want to do Leahanmore on its own then park at J (C015 135) (lots of space). Walk about 400m up the road westwards and a rough track goes right to a bridge over the river. There is a gate through the deer fence just beyond, then open tussockland leads up over Leahanbeg to the main summit. Higher up rocky slabs provide a bit of easier going, and low down the remains of an ATV track up the west flank of the valley give a bit of help, but most of it is just plain rough. The view northwards to the main Derryveagh range is excellent. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/645/comment/20076/

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