gerrym on Croaghnameal

Cruach na Miol is at the S end of the low rugged range of hills stretching from the deep Barnesmore Gap to Lough Derg. These hills are like a stunted mirror image of the higher wild Bluestack Mtns to the north of Barnesmore.

Cruach na Miol is within easy reach of the car from the west - with a track reaching deep into the valley between it and Croaghmeen, and from the south with a road reaching high on its flank. In my mind though this would be doing an injustice to this hill and its siblings.

To fully appreciate the area start from the Barnesmore Gap (G (H042 872)) and climb to the top of Cruach Eoghanach towering over the road hemmed in below. As turn to gaze south an area of bleak hills, peppered with loughs, stretches into the distance. Cruach na Moil is at the end of this long gaze and the distance between is the time for appreciation. On the way mans attempts to tame nature (windfarms) are a limited distraction as head over the top of Croagmeen (where i camped due to deliberate late start to increase my appreciation).

Drop down past wooded slopes to find four more wind turbines nestled away in the valley before an untaxing 25 minute climb to the cairn and nearby small lough. The views are far reaching past L Derg and its islands and the millions of trees to the south, north past the windfarms to the high wall of the main Bluestack ridge, the only real sign of civilisation is to the west and Donegal Bay.

A dander of nearly 15 miles and seven hours which could easily be done in a summer day but think of the joy of spending a night up here with no one else around versus the quick easy dash from the car of other routes - you decide! Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/664/comment/3771/

Read Less

Punching Above Its Weight

Climbed yesterday afternoon having approached from Castlederg on the Tullycar Road. Parked on a laybay on the right side of the road as soon as the trees ended on the right hand side leaving Killeter Forest. There would be shorter routes, also on this South side of the hill, but its a short ascent anyway, and a small hill rising from the road gives great views of the entire hill for picking out a route.

From here I set off on a vaguely North West direction. With no clear path, the ground was difficult enough for walking, with much weaving round boggy pools, and a lot of mini peaks and troughs. However, there is not much distance to cover, and there were plenty of excuses to stop for photos as new views constantly revealed themselves with altitude.

There is a cairn and a small lough at the summit, with much better views than its height would suggest. To the North is the Bluestacks, to the west Donegal Town, and beyond to Slieve League, Southwest to the Dartry Mountains and even North Mayo, and South over loughs and forests to Fermanagh.

Well worth it for the views if you're in the area with a short window of opportunity: I was up and down in two hours with many pauses for photography. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/664/comment/15179/

Read Less