slemish on Crockalough

In glorious weather like today there's only one place I want to be and that's out on the hills. Today Crockalough was the hill of choice. I parked at the layby beside the Essathohan bridge (B (D191 217)). This is also a good parking spot if climbing neighbouring Trostan. Follow the road towards Cushendall from here for about half a mile until you are past the forest. Veer off the road here, keeping the fence to your right as you ascend. The summit of Crockalough can be seen straight ahead. Not too steep a climb but boggy and tussocky just like the rest of the hills in this part of Antrim. Take care as there are many small burns hidden amongst the deep heather. Crockalough is quite flat on top with the small summit area sticking out. The 402m summit as shown on the OS map is unmarked on the ground. I wasn't convinced this was the actual highest point as an area about 200m to the north looked slightly higher. Plenty of peat hags and small pools of standing water to negotiate on top as well. Fine views however on a clear day like this, especially east into the vast glacial valley that is Glenarriff. Across the North Channel, Kintyre, Arran and Ailsa Craig were all clearly visible. Trostan and Slievenanee dominate the view to the west but Tievebulliagh, Slieveanorra and Knocklayd can also be seen. To the south a ridge of 400m+ summits marks the horizon - Collin Top, Mid Hill and Carncormick. The adventurous hiker might want to continue the route north-west to Lurigethan but not me as I was ready to head back to the car. I descended by the same route. Total trip about 1.5 hours. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/817/comment/3761/

Read Less

gerrym on Crockalough

Crockalough is the highest point of the majestic upland plateau separating two of the famous Glens of Antrim - Glenariff and Glenballyemon. This visit to the plateau starts in the village of Waterfoot, parking in the handy carpark next to the beach (C (D243 255)). Return to the main street and head for the bridge over the Glenariff river, passing a number of pubs and taking in the smell of burning turf. Turn right to follow the coast road as it skirts the sandy beach of Red Bay and take the narrow road heading uphill at D (D243 259).

This is a steep narrow lane which quickly increases available views over the Irish sea, past redbay pier to the Mull of Kintyre, Ailsa Criag and the Isle of Man. Turn left at the end of this lane and follow the road uphill - just after the brow take a concrete farm lane to the left at E (D235 262), heading towards a noticeble mobile phone mast. Take a stone lane to the right, which greens and climbs to a gate leading to open hillside. Negotiate a maze of high gorse to to find short cropped grass reaching to the plateau above. The views continue to widen and deepen with height. Keep to the right of the headland to pick up a fence leading steeply uphill, cross a stile and a zig zag track brings the plateau in 45 mins with 1,200 ft of climbing.

An old stone wall runs along the spine of the plateau here, with sharp posts protruding, almost as if waiting for the heads of those who would defy the local chieftains. The higher Antrim hills to the N come into clear view. The walk continues on the more dramatic S side of the plateau, along the steep slopes rising from the Queen of the Glens - Glenariff. This has to be one of the best examples of a U shaped glaciated valley in the country, with lush green farmland hemmed in by dramatically steep slopes on either side. A stream is reached (F (D220 234)) as it tumbles down into a waterfall and was just made to stop for a bite to eat. Continue to follow the edge of the escarpment as the valley below narrows to another stream (G (D218 224)). Follow this stream back into the plateau.

The stream heads for the low rise over 1 km away that is the top of Crockalough. This is over more difficult ground at times as head for the S end of the rise. Along the top there are peat hags and water to avoid. There are two distinctive little points along this top that showed 405m on my GPS so take your pick. The return is a drop and walk along the N side of the plateau which is not as inspiring. A number of dropping fencelines bar the way and my trousers bear the scars. the descent off is as the ascent, with the tide now out making the beach more picturesque.

A walk of just over 10 miles which took nearly three hours. Great scenery and presence, even on a dull day with a biting easterly wind. Saw a couple of other walkers but that is certainly the exception along here. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/817/comment/3487/

Read Less

2nd Jan 2010

2/01/2010. Brillaint day weatherwise. We parked at a small unofficial layby (H (D222 257) approx) Followed a track up onto the cliff edge of Lurigethan and walk along the edge/ridge towards Crockalough. As we go towards Crockalough, the snow got deep. It was gradual climb. Ended up at the road juntion (I (D198 230)) With fantastic views a round you. Brilliant Day Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/817/comment/4666/

Read Less