Why is Mid Hill called Mid Hill? I assume it is because when viewed from afar it is the central summit in the group of three between Glenravel and the Braid valley (the other two being Carncormick and Collin Top). I'm surprised there is only one other comment on Mid Hill as it is a very accessible hill with fabulous views on a clear day. I parked at the car park beside the Dungonnell reservoir (C (D192 172)). The summit area can be seen straight ahead. The ascent is fairly easy - just the odd small burn and fence to negotiate. Try to avoid the extensive patches of knee-deep heather as this will slow your progress somewhat. The 438m summit as shown on the OS map (D (D197 155)) is marked by a large fence post but this isn't actually the highest point of Mid Hill. About 500m east of here is the true highest point which is unmarked on the ground and according to the OS map is actually slightly higher than the 440m given by MV. Nevertheless anywhere on top of Mid Hill is good for views if you are lucky like me to have a very clear day like today. To the south-east is Soarns Hill and beyond that Agnew's Hill - then to the south lies Slemish with Big Collin and then Divis almost directly in line behind it. Coming west round past Lough Neagh and Carncormick you can see the Sperrins clearly - I could easily pick out Sawel peeping over the side of Mullaghaneany and to the right the ridge of hills from Carntogher to Benbradagh. Skerry Hill, Slievenanee and Trostan dominate the view to the north-east and the magnificent Glenariff valley to the north-west allows views out to sea and to Scotland. Great views and an easy climb - what could be better? I returned to the car by way of ascent - you can be up and down in less than an hour. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/652/comment/4728/

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three5four0 on Mid Hill

From Carncormick (see previous posts for Carncormick) we followed the fence north east through the usual soft, wet & heathery Co. Antrim terrain, crossing the fence just before the Red Sea. Then another fence (wire low or missing in a lot of sections), before climbing up hill passed a small deep flush with the chewed carcass of a sheep lying in it. Perhaps that black panther, the police failed to shoot on the north coast, is alive and well and roaming the Antrim hills. If it was, it would certainly spice up those late winter finishes!

From pt 438 there is a small dip then the final slope to Mid Hill, and as is usual in these parts, there are three small rises within the 440 contour line. Take your pick or do them all, the far rise has some rocks sticking out of the peat, so ideal for a lunch stop.

But what can you say about a hill whose views take in the land from Slemish to Trostan and the Sperrins to Arran, one to ponder while munching lunch on those rocks. See Collin Top for the continuation of this walk. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/652/comment/3431/

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