three5four0 on Collin Top

Footnote

For those of strong legs and the will to go the following may be of interest. After Collin Top why not continue onto the coast?, you could go to Crockravar, then Altmore Burn, descend the Ulster Way into Glenariff and follow it along the Glenariff river to Waterfoot. However, I believe this is the better way to go. From Collin Top descend to the Dungonnell Road (track), either follow the Dungonnell Way into Glenariff Forest (C (D198 184)), taking the trails down to the Waterfall Restaurant, or follow the Collin Burn down (one slight steep section) into the forest (fence to cross) and onto the Waterfall Trail, turn right, cross the foot bridge and follow through the forest and down to the river, cross another footbridge beside a large waterfall, turn right, cross another bridge and go right to bring you out in to the carpark of the Waterfall Restaurant (with bar) D (D216 206). Have a couple of pints of Guinness and girded your loins for the final part of the day. Back to the last footbridge, but don't cross, follow the Waterfall trail straight ahead (on the right hand side of the river) after several waterfalls (including the main one) the trail crosses to the left hand side of the river and climbs up steps, before crossing to the right hand again (after a junction). Shortly after crossing to the right hand side of the river again, a trail breaks off right & leads up to the A43 (E (D209 206)), the exit is wire fenced, but there is a gap left to walk through on the right. A short distance on the right, on the opposite side of the road, is the lane to take past Parkmore Farm (farm marked on the 50,000 map but not on the new 1:25000, though the lane is on the new map). Continue to the end of the lane, going left at the last buildings (gate(just a track from here)). Continue on through another gate and along the hillside to the cliff edge, follow this, crossing several fences to Lurigethan. Descend via the old pathway (F (D228 257)) into rough hillside fields with some gorse, once down towards a main boundary turn left across some steepish slopes. You are aiming for G (D224 262), as there is an overgrown lane here, with a gate to the road (B14). On your right there is a road junction, going north east from here (from the B14) is a lane that takes you all the way into Cushendun (via a set of steps (going left) at the end of the lane around H (D238 275)). Chose your pub and have a few drinks in celebration of a fine days walk.

It may be advisable to carry both the new 1:25000 Glens Map & the old sheets 5 & 9, as some features are on one but not the other. Also , you could pick up Crockalough on the way to Lurigethan, if time & energy permit. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/691/comment/3433/

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Collin Top

Climbed Collin Top today for the first time - it's a liitle gem, hidden away behind its more well-known and higher neighbour Mid Hill. I parked at a gate on the Dungonnell reservoir service road (C (D198 184)). The knobbly summit of Collin Top can be seen ahead in the distance - it looks a bit like a small version of Slieve Binnian in the Mournes. Climb directly onto the hillside from here heading towards the summit and you soon reach the lonely and windswept lochan known as Loughgarve. There is a great view to the north looking down the vast glacial valley that is Glenariff. From Loughgarve it's a fairly easy climb up the rest of the hill to the 429m summit of Collin Top which is marked by a large cairn. The views from here can be good to excellent depending on the weather. Virtually the whole Antrim plateau is visible on a good day as is the Kintyre coast. The twin domes of Slievenanee and Trostan are particularly prominent to the north-west and Slemish and Agnew's Hill to the south with Lough Neagh in the distance. Mid Hill blocks the view west towards the Sperrins. You can continue on to Mid Hill from here if desired but I returned to the car by the same route. All in all an easy and very peaceful walk - you can be up and down in an hour and a half. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/691/comment/4612/

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three5four0 on Collin Top

See Mid Hill & Carncormick for the start of this walk.

From Mid, descend to the fence running north east and follow it through some soft & wet ground, over a wide ring contour & a final short slope to the summit of Collin Top. Which is rather pap like and is a dry oasis in a sea of bog. The views of Crockalough, Lurigethan , the Glenariff escarpment and out to Scotland are all equally fine. I once camped with a friend beside the Inver river, just to the north of Collin Top, and was kept awake by small fish jumping all night long. Which was no hardship, as it was a rare crystal clear night with the stars on show. With the highlight being a huge meteor, which look large enough to devastate a small village, tearing across the night sky.

Follow a fence north west through yet more wet ground, before swinging north over a 350 metre oval contour line to the river flowing out of Loughgarve (v.small band of rocky ground to descend before the small stream) and onto the track. Follow this track all the way Ballsallagh Bridge and then follow Gorthageeragh Road south east to the Knockanully Road and Martinstown and your car.

This gives a 14.5 mile round route from Martinstown - Carncormick - Mid Hill - Collin Top - Martinstown. Nicky apologises for the road walking at the end of the day of his suggested route, but it passes quickly and when we walked the route the views of the hillsides and the trees were quite magnificent in their autumnal colours.
Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/691/comment/3432/

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