The Road to Raghtin

I took this photo on my way from Buncrana to the Gap of Mamore. Left to right: Urris Hills; Croaghcarragh; above the forestry is the Gap of Mamore; Mamore Hill; Crockmain; Raghtin More. In the foreground right is Aghaweel Hill, and finally Bulbin. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/752/comment/15013/

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Magnificence Beyond Its Height

I've had the group of hills around here on my list for a while, as it looks spectacular from other mountains, or from nearby along the coast, and it doesn't disappoint when you actually get up there. Urris Hills may not be very high, but it is brilliantly rugged and rocky with some very steep slopes, and there are several minor tops around it, hence the "hills" plural I suppose. I approached from the Mamore Gap via Croaghcarragh and some of the slopes, particularly the last stretch up to the summit area, were very steep. Coming down, the wet ground would often dangerously give way under my boots. In snow or wetter conditions I imagine it could be difficult. The views, both near over the immediate mini range, and far over Inishowen, Lough Swilly and Fanad are the equal of anywhere in the country I think. It would no doubt be worth varying the route to come up on the far side from Lenan beach maybe to take in the loughs, but according to some signs, the route was closed on the day I visited. Highly recommended, and more challenging than you would think for its height. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/752/comment/18867/

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NICKY on Urris Hills

From Croaghcarrragh (C (C316 428)) all you do is simply follow the path over to the Urris Hills. This is a pleasant stroll with a few ups and downs with no difficulty. From the Urris keep following the path over the rest of the ridge. If you lose the path at any point the ground is not too difficult. Please make sure you follow the ridge right to the end. If you come down too early you will give yourself a harder descent with awkward fences and difficult ground. As you start to descend you should see Crummie's Bay straight ahead of you. As you keep going you should aim to come down in-line with the right hand side of the beach. If you have taken the correct path you should come to the beach through a large gap in the fence. Then simply walk over the beach to the path on the left hand side just past the two streams which come down to meet the sea and follow it up to the layby. All in all it is an excellent walk in which you climb every metre of the hills and have a very rewarding descent!! (Although the photo isn't great it shows the exact line of your descent and you should be able to make out the rest of your route from it when you set it as a background or make it bigger) Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/752/comment/2971/

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A Video Preview

Published by MV's Gerry McVeigh this beautiful and instructive video is described on YouTube as: "A stunning walk over the Urris Hills and Raghtin More on Inishowen, Donegal, Ireland. Climbing from the golden sands of Lenan Strand to the hills overlooking Lough Swilly and the northernmost reaches of Ireland. Dropping to Mamore Gap and the holy well & grotto then climbing to the heights of Raghtin More. A mini mountain range that can be easily walked in a day." If you have any notion of walking this way you really must watch this video. And if you can't or won't walk, you should watch it anyway!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6cJVLjO6eA Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/752/comment/14867/

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simon3 on Urris Hills

Approaching Urris Hills top you will see these two small lakes, Crunlough the nearer and Lough Fad. Across a very windy Lough Swilly sea-inlet there's Fanad Head and the further complex inlets of the north Donegal coast. Just visible around quarter way in from the left and near the horizon is the scarp and sharp drop into the sea of Horn Head. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/752/comment/3195/

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