One approach is to start at the Sandbank Road car park at J234 278 A. Across the road there is a track to the left of a house that gives access right into the valley between Wee Slievemoughan and Pigeon Rock Mountain. Following the track brings you to the foot of Wee Slievemoughan. There are amazing views of Slievemoughanmore, Eagle Mountain and the valley all around. The Rowan Tree River is crossed on this route but usually this is easy, and the track will bring you to a crossing place. Dogs are not allowed in this area – either on or off a lead. Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/701/comment/5460/

I set out from the Sand Bank Road car park at J234 278 A. As Simon3 points out elsewhere, this car park is directly opposite a house which may provide some disincentive to potential thieves. If possible, approach the car park along the minor road from Rostrevor as you can then enjoy the tree lined road with its leafy canopy, and views of the slopes of Slievemartin, Slievemeel & Tievedockeragh en route.

To the left of the house opposite the carpark there is a lane which joins up with the Ulster & Mourne Ways after about 1km. I then turned right and followed the track through a gate with a sign warning that dogs – whether on or off the lead – are not allowed by the Batts Estate Trustees. Once through the gate the track leads up and into the heart of the valley that is surrounded by Hen, Cock, Pigeon Rock, Slievemoughanmore, Wee Slievemoughan and Rocky Mtn. Besides the exciting new views of these hills, the track offers excellent access and route opportunities.

Following the track I passed by Hen Mountain and its dramatic summit tors. I continued up the track to about the 300 metre altitude mark where I left the track and headed onto the heathery slopes of Cock Mtn. Boggy ground gave way to snow covered slopes and expanding views. Cock Mtn has twin peaks separated by about 200 metres with a 20 metre drop to the col. From the summit I was struck by the views in all directions – from the nearby frozen Spelga Dam to the snow covered mountains of Carn, Slieve Muck and Eagle Mtns to name but a few. Human caterpillars could be seen making their way down the slopes of Pigeon Rock – long lines of walkers replicating that curious ebb and flow movement of the little creature. A black crow perched on a nearby rock made me think of MV’s own Bleck Cra who often springs to mind when I walk his favoured hills.

From Cock Mtn I headed SSW back into the valley. Before reaching Wee Slievemoughan I passed by several areas of old turf cutting operations. There were a lot of tree roots sticking out of the base of the old cutting banks which could be ancient bog oak. I turned left on rejoining the valley track and followed it until it ended at a sheet of metal. From here I headed straight up the slopes of Wee Slievemoughan. Large sheets of rock mark the summit, with a single stone placed at the highest point. The backdrop of snow-covered Slievemoughanmore and Eagle Mountain, and the views all around the valley made this a worthy climb. I was struck by how empty the valley below was, despite the good track, the good weather and the hordes I had seen on the track earlier.

After taking my fill of views and memories I descended NE to rejoin the track after crossing the lovely named Rowan Tree River. Returning to the car ended both the 4 hour walk and the quiet of these hills. I would recommend this area for walking. Whatever route you choose, you can’t go wrong basing it around this easily accessible valley. Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/701/comment/4461/

Access note: Wee Slievemoughan is part of the Batt's estate, which does not allow dogs on their lands. All accesses from the west off Sandbank Road have notices banning dogs (due to sheep farming). Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/701/comment/4269/

Approaching from Rocky Mountain summit requires a bit of up-and-down trekking, as it is necessary to first ascend Tornamrock and then drop down again to a the col to the south before ascending Wee Slievemoughan, which is quite a steep but doable climb. Great views from the summit towards Hen Mountain about three km to the north. Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/701/comment/20082/